Lunging- How to slow down

[Slave2Magic]

My arab mare hasn't been schooled much over winter. She used to lunge really well. Tried her the other day and she shot round at a gallop, bucking and snorting. How do I slow her down? Just wait till she runs out of steam and then ask her to listen? Im worried she will hurt herself.

 

[Sal_E]

I presume she's doing it to let off steam as she hasn't been worked much? If so, I would say that you need to let her do it. In terms of reducing the risk of injury, ensure you are doing it on a good surface & use leg protection if you think she may brush/over-reach. Keep her on the largest circle you can (you can even walk a circle yourself to enlarge it) - do be careful not to get 'left behind' at any point as the lunge line suddenly kicking in can haul a horse back on to a circle & off balance them. It would be preferable to not use any gadget whilse she's running round so that she has full use of her neck to balance herself, but do use a bridle if you think she's going to run off. As soon as she has run off the worst of it, you can start to reduce the circle to slow her & use your voice.

 

[Slave2Magic]

Yes I think she's just letting off steam. She's full of it anyway at the moment! I'll let her run it off and then hopefully she will listen. I will use her bridle and nothing else for a while. Thanks