lunging advice

[Bella xo]

Hey all. So I have a 5 year old Welsh x gelding . I got him last year . Over the summer he was a little star . I would just take him out the field and go for a nice relaxing ride. He has always been a Forward ride And I've never had to use much leg. Anyways as it's got colder everyone at the yard has stabled their horses at night and they get turned out in the day . My horse settled well into this routine but he has become extreamly forward, strong and excitable. I have to lunge him for 30 minutes before I ride . If not he is prancing everywhere, squeals and bucks. He really takes a long time on the lunge line to calm down and chill out . Like tomorrow my friends have asked me to go on a hack with them at 9am. I know I'm going to have to lunge him from half 8 so he's settled. I love him to death but I wish I could just get on him and go with out him trying to gallop and jump about everywhere . We have 2 lessons a week and even my instructor has to lunge him before we do anything with him . Does anyone else do this with their horses? I miss just Getting on him and going for a quiet ride . He looks like he's about to go on a hunt !

 

[paulineh]

What are you feeding him.

 

[Bella xo]

He's not on any hard feed just hay and grass .

 

[Circe]

What does he do if he isnt' lunged first?
how much work is he doing?
the trouble before lunging before every ride is that you quickly get a very fit horse to deal with and it can be a bit of a vicious cycle.
can the instructor try getting on and showing you some ways of coping with the behaviour or distracting him, without lunging him so much first?
Kx

 

[Booboos]

Turn him out 24/7?

Lunging for 30 minutes before every ride is quite a lot of strain on young limbs and he will get super fit. Can't your instructor hop on him first and get him to concentrate in the school?

 

[Bella xo]

If I don't lunge him first I literally cant touch his sides . Even if I use my right leg to move him over he thinks this means go as fast as he can . I can't even ask for a little trot as he goes straight into a canter then it's hard to stop him . Some times our whole hack is in a very collected trot as he just won't walk nice and relaxed . My arms ache when I get off from holding him back . I hate how short I have to have my reins as any give on them and he's off. He was never like this over summer . I could ride him on a loose rein and just steer him with my seat and legs . But now I can't even let go of the reins . He's 10 times worse in the school. He just flies about and I look awful with my feet so far forward and hheels down trying to sit to him . I can't do anything productive with him as the whole time in the school is just about calming him down . I hate when he's really excited how he bucks . You can sit to them , there not big just make me nervous . My instructor just seems to do the same as me when she gets on him. Just trying to calm him down and get the energy out of him xx

 

[Booboos]

Again turn him out 24/7 but he also sounds very green and unschooled. If your instructor is not managing to do better than you I would consider a different instructor. It also sounds like your young horse would benefit from regular schooling from a sympathetic professional who can teach him to channel his energy in his work.

 

[FestiveFuzz]

If the problem has only occurred since the change of routine I'd look to move him back to 24/7 turnout and see if he improves at all.

I'd also be looking for a new instructor if you're current one is unable to help you through this.

 

[Bella xo]

Ok thank you for your advice . I'm going to turn him out tonight and try leaving him out for a while a d see if he improves . My only concern is he will be the only one left out . My friend has lessons with a brilliant dressage instructor so I'm going to give them a call and see if they can come out and help us . X

 

[D66]

Has he changed weight since the summer? either weight change or different level of fitness could make his saddle hurt his back and lead to the problems you're having. And may also explain why your instructor can't get a tune out of him as well.

 

[Damnation]

Has he changed weight since the summer? either weight change or different level of fitness could make his saddle hurt his back and lead to the problems you're having. And may also explain why your instructor can't get a tune out of him as well.

I agree with this. He's probably fitter and changed shape since summer. Get the saddle looked at and his back and teeth done. Incidentally what is he like lunged on a head collar with no other tack on?