Lunging question

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Hi all
Any tips on how to maintain a large circle when lunging?
My horse is really reluctant to move onto a 20m circle and even when I get him there, he will decrease the circle again. Whilst he's fit and very well balanced, he is getting older so I really want to encourage him to use more space.
I hold a whip and ask for 'out' but no joy. If I wiggle the whip or even touch him with it (touch not smack) it doesn't make a difference. I have tried lunging in a headcollar, bridle or cavesson but the outcome is the same.
He is quite lazy but this to me means he would be happier on a larger circle?
Any tips appreciated
 
I used to have issues with my horse coming in on the lunge. I did a lot of groundwork, making sure he understood the aids to move his shoulders away from me and translated this to lunging. I'd have a look at the Your Horsemanship (Jason Webb) website as there's lots of good videos on there which will help you get the basics right before moving onto a lunge circle. Hope this helps but let me know if you want any more info
 
Are you pivoting in one spot and expecting him to stay out?

Treat him like a youngster who's learning about lunging. Keep yourself moving around on a smaller inner circle, with him on your outside a lunge whip's length away, and use your whip and voice aids to keep him out and active.
 
Lunge with 2 reins, the outside rein is used to maintain the size of the circle, usually once they are better established you can stop using it, with an older horse it also means you have the option of going onto a different rein, make straight lines or add in some poles without having to stop.
 
Back with a bang said:
Stick side reins on him with the outside rein tighter so it keeps him on the circle.
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and enable the horse to bulge through the inside shoulder, making the horse more stiff and resistant than he already is.

Flexion to the outside is useful, two lines would be needed and an experienced handler on the lunge. Tight side reins teach a horse nothing.
 
Thanks all for the suggestions. I'll try and give it a go with 2 lines (I'm clumsy enough with one but my boy is good so I just need to get organised!)
When I tell him 'out' I point at the shoulder. Is that right?
I do use side reins on occasion (just in walk trot) but have always kept them the same length?
 
TheOldDairy said:
I used to have issues with my horse coming in on the lunge. I did a lot of groundwork, making sure he understood the aids to move his shoulders away from me and translated this to lunging. I'd have a look at the Your Horsemanship (Jason Webb) website as there's lots of good videos on there which will help you get the basics right before moving onto a lunge circle. Hope this helps but let me know if you want any more info
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Thank you I will take a look at this too :)
 
A quick update.
Last night I tried with 2 reins and we got slightly better by the end of the session! I seem to need more hands tho! Changing direction wasn't easy but I guess this is a practice thing?
We worked on 'out' from a stand and he seemed to understand it a bit (when he wasn't distracted by flies / got bored!)
Any other tips on 2 rein lunging / long reining appreciated especially changing direction and changing the whip hand (he does need the whip waving at him or we don't move!)
 
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