Lunging

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stace1

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need a bit of advice on lunging, ive been told to get my mare lunging so she listens to my voice etc, which then can be transfered when ridden.

shes a 4yr exracer, spent the last few months hacking out with bits of school work.

so ye when i bought her the lady showed her in W+T in side reins, in a round pen, she looked well if not laid back. But for some reason im having so many problems sending her forward, i dont think its because she doesnt understand i think its more to do with the fact she puts up a fight.
i dont have a very strong voice, quite high pitched, so hard to growl at her etc. but when asked to go forward to a trot or canter, shell stick her head up and refuse, or try and spin, or rear up towards me, sometimes shes more reluctant than others, but she also does it on the good days when shes had enough. I really want to get her out of the habit, as its quit dangerous and so dissheartening as obv shes in control and not me, i crack the whip behind her she either ignores or shoots off bucking ( mostly just ignores and scowls alot)

any advice, i resorted to hacking so i can let her chill out, relax and built up fitness andm uscle, but it would be nice if i could get over this!!

shes so pleasant to do around the yard, brush tie up etc
 
I would lunge her in a corner of the school or field, have someone else to help lead her and keep her in a basic circle. The importance is she goes forwards, don't worry too much about a bit of bucking to begin with. If she looks to turn in, be quick, point the whip at her shoulder and move towards her, don't back off! Use your voice and mean it!
 
thankyou, she knows to go on a circle pretty much, and is fine in walk, but is very reluctant to move forwa\rd and just ignores me basically, or kicks up a fuss aims the kicks towards me and ears back hhmm
 
She probably really doesn't get what is being asked of her.

She may well have been sent round a round pen as a youngster or if being prepared for sale as a baby, but may never have been lunged so you really are going to have to start slowly with her
 
Also: you can train your voice! Mine is like Mini Mouse naturally but for lunging I 'act'. Dwonwards transitions are "A-n-d p-a-c-e" getting lower, upwards ones are clipped "Pace On!" getting higher.

blazingsaddles advice sounds good :-)
 
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