Lunging help

[Gorgeous George]

George can sometimes be a bit fast on the lunge, I think it is because he is big and not always that well balanced that he does tend to rush, (probably doesn't help at the moment that they can't be turned out due to flooding). My problem is that I seem to now be nervous lunging him and I don't know why because he's never done anything, except canter a bit fast! So I was wondering if anyone had any lunging tips to help me/him. I lunge once a week with him in a pessoa, bridle and lunge line over his head and through the bit and he is much better like this. At the moment I also lunge him before I ride so he can get rid of some of his frustration from being in all the time, so I do it with him tacked up and this is when he tends to race - help!

Also, as he is not out at the moment (he gets exercised every day and twice on the horsewalker for 40 mins each) I keep worrying that his frustration will take over and that he will decide he wants a gallop, buck or whatever when i'm riding. He has never shown any signs of doing this but since falling off my brain seems to keep conjuring up all sorts of disasters

I feel a bit of an idiot / wimp to be honest

 

[alicedove]

Aaah poor you. I had this and I kind of know the feeling. Bay horse in my dressage pic bucked me off through napping once, and when I dislocated my shoulder (not riding) I lost a lot of nerve, for riding.

Arm yourself with hat, gloves, boots, etc before longeing, and do him pref after the horsewalking. But do longe before riding so you feel happier getting on him.

Let him canter, since he has warmed up already, concentrate on counting his rhythm, get him into it, keep him going and wait for him to find his balance, if he messes about, just allow it, wait for him to settle but always keep him moving on, forwards, ever forwards into the rhythm, cantering around a nice circle, until he is a bit sweaty and you are a bit bored!

Cantering on the longe is a very good way indeed to help a horse sort its balance out as long as he is healthy and able to cope with the physical pressure. Many a badly cantering horse has been sorted out well this way, including a couple of mine!

Be positive and make him do it! That way you'll feel in control. Good luck!

 

[jumpthemoon]

Your voice is your main aid when you're lungeing, so you really need to use it and make the most of it. If the horse is bombing off, dont panic about it, stay calm and say in a loud, firm, deep voice whooooaaaaa.... I tend to use the word 'and' as a kind of half halt, so each time I ask the horse for something I say and first eg 'annnndddd waalllllkk' - long, in a slow deep voice. For faster paces, 'and tuuuu-rot' in a higher pitched, choppier voice.

Everyone looks at you gone out and you will feel like a muppet to start with (espesh when the horse is ignoring you) but when he gets used to it they'll be eating their hats

 

[Cop-Pop]

When I lunge I usually have to let them have a 'mad' session before working them. I wouldn;t worry too much tbh - ur boy sounds pretty sensible so even if he did decide to buck and gallop a bit on the lunge I doubt he'll pull too much. As long as you've got ur gloves on (don't forget ur hat too) u should be ok.
Is it worth having some lessons in lunging? I had some a couple of years ago and was amazed at the things u can do on the lunge!! I learnt some great exercises and schooling techniques

 

[Equus Leather]

Know exactly what you mean about conjuring up all kinds of disasters. I do the same with my mare.

 

[OrangeEmpire]

with the lungeing try giving short tugs on the lungeline (like doing a half-halt really) to get his attention and try and keep your body language calming and 'not bothered' - if you act like he isn't being remotely interesting he's likely to get bored! then as soon as he slows, sent him into a good forwards going trot to get him working.

If he is still determined to be an idiot, you could use two lungelines (like longreining on a circle) which will give you much more control.

I can see why it is scaring you - seeing him loon about is making you feel out of control. It's not a big leap from this to getting nervous once you're on him. But they all like to have a play on the liberty of the lunge, it has no bearing on how well he behaves once you're on. Just work on establishing some calmer work before you get on and I'm sure you'll be fine.

 

[SAL66]

I second Jumpthemoon and use your voice, I always give vocal commands slow and deeper tone for downward transistions and more upbeet and a higher pitch for upward transistions. I must admit to feeling a right muppet when he just carried on cantering like something posessed when I first started this.

However now 95% of the time he reacts to my voice with out me using a lunge whip and I find people now watching and those who laughed at me to start are now impressed.He canters when i say the word canter and trots when i say terrrott! and comes back down again with just my voice.We do still have moments but are few and far between.

if you horse wants to canter to start with then let him so long as he is no danger to himself, he will stop when he wants and when if does this make him go on until you want to stop this might be only for a couple of strides. Remember you are the boss!
Always be consistent with your voice and plenty of praise when he does what you want, it won't come over night but with plenty of practice it will come, try not to get to anxious as he will pick this up, is there somebody else who could support you?.

Good luck