Lunging a speedy one!

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poiuytrewq

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Our pony tends to tear round flat out on the lunge and although with work and practise we've mastered staying out on a circle the speed is an issue so no goodness comes out of a lunging session- He's not listening to my voice really at all.
Whats best here? Let him run himself out til he gives up and slows down? Get a person to walk at his head for a time?
He's 5 and not been lunged in ages- we tended to do lots of long reining which he's quite good at instead but I have access to a little indoor school, too small to ride but perfect to lunge and 5 mins down the lane so would like to make the most if it.
Tips and hints please?
 
Lunge using two lines. The outer line helps keep him out, and using both reins helps with 'backing up' your voice commands. Don't use force though, (tempting to pull - don't!) Start at walk, halt. walk, change rein. Simple, easy and slow. Progress from there. Good luck.
 
Although I have said he long reins well- he does but not on a circle. He's only got one eye and just cant handle anything round his back end. It terrifies him. For this reason ive never pushed the two rein lunging as I don't like to panic him too much. Do you think it would be beneficial to just do it and make his accept them?
 
Is he broken to ride? (not sure if it has been said anywhere?)

Yes, it would benefit him, but you have to take each step very slowly, and more so given his eyesight. Don't rush flapping lines over and around his bum, just use the outer line over his wither to start. Try not to let him even trot. Everything VERY slow, calm and quiet. Keep your tone of your voice deep.

However, if I were you, I'd get an instructor to help get you started, as it is easier to progress slowly than it is to repair 'an incident'.

PS, put a quarter sheet with fillet string on him at the same time.. He'll get used to that feel and won't panic so much when the lines touch him. - works with our sensitive fillies.
 
Yes we broke him at about 3 and a half.
He's hacking, we have no school but he's desperate for schooling so am eager for the ground to dry up ;)
Its just hard to give him the work he needs to keep busy and lunging would be a useful thing to be able to do.
The tearing round flat out starts the instant we start to lunge- there is no chance not to let him almost.
So incredibly broke right now I just cant afford an instructor really tbh.
 
Ah, Sorry I missed the last bit of your post!
Actually he often wears a exercise sheet and all his rugs have fillet strings that he's not worried about- maybe its just an excuse to be silly!
 
I would lunge using two lines, get someone to walk on the out side of the circle whilst your introducing the excercise to him. Keep your circles small and rather than use your lunge line on the cavesson or over the head loop it through you inside bit ring and clip it onto the outside one (a bit like a curb) in case he does take off you will have a bit more control.

Keep everything very very very quiet and only go onto the quicker paces when he completely relaxed.
 
An indoor area is great.
When he is rushing around run him into the wall by keeping parallel to him and he is heading straight to the wall with you standing at the length of the lunge a couple of feet off the track.
Give the command of 'Whoa' as he stops and then just let him walk on past you as you move to the inside, if he runs do the same at the next side.

This does involve some activity on you part but think of the weight loss!
 
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