major paddy when lunging

J

jj4y

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I've always had problems lunging my horse. We've never really had the need to do much lunging, so I haven't persisted in trying to sort the problems out, but I've got to the stage now where I really don't want to be beaten and would like to get it sorted! It would be great to be able to lunge him for 15 mins here or there if I'm struggling for time to ride etc, and I'd like to use it as a means to try and get him going in a better outline.

He's generally well behaved when ridden and I've been working on getting him working from behind a lot more, as he's naturally very much on his forehand with being a chunky native. But when I try to lunge him his manners all go to pot and he turns into a devil. He charges round with no control and has a nasty habit of bucking and kicking out towards me
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By this point i've just had enough and end up giving up, so unfortunately I think he's learnt that this naughty behaviour gets the session over and done with quickly.

So how do I best turn this situation around? I need to get more control over him and stop him dragging me around and keep some control over his back end to protect myself from his flying feet. Up until now I have always tried with 2 reins as he used to panic whenever he saw a lunge whip when I first had him, so I assumed he'd had a bad experience beforehand. He always used to try and come in towards me too, so I'd use the second rein to try and keep him out. But I'm wondering whether a lunge whip may serve as 'protection' for me and help keep his back end away. Any thoughts on how i sort this out would be gratefully received!

I must add that he is actually a lovely, kind lad normally, but he just doesn't sound it from this post! We have no other problems with his manners/behaviour otherwise...just when we attempt to lunge!
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Is there any chance that you could build a round pen? They are absolutely invaluable when working with youngsters or horses who don't quite "get" the lunging idea.
 
Unfortunately I'm limited to my paddocks, and I don't have a school. But am definately open to offers of how I could temporarily build a round pen on a budget. I can see it would be useful though
 
I think you've answered the question yourself, he knows that you will give in when he throws these paddy's. I would go back to basics, lead him in his bridle and teach him basic commands just leading him.
When you lunge him keep him going forward, when he throws a paddy push him through it and then push him on some more, when he stops take the pressure off for a few moments. You are going to need to persevere with him it could take a while but just don't take the pressure off when he throws these paddy's.
 
Could be that he's frightened himself in the past slipping about on grass, as some tend to go faster and faster in panic mode?

My girl used to be terrified of being lunged - to do with the confrontation element of it I think - didn't like being stared at.

My Shetland goes on the lunge pretty much the same as your boy. Faster and faster and lots of bucking and kicking, but he's not scared of the whip so I poke him in the side with it to at least keep him away from me.

Tis a difficult one when you haven't got facilities of even a small fenced off area.

Only thing I can suggest is to do a small amount every night - literally 2 circles in walk. Ask for him to stand still. Approach, give him a pat and then finish.
Have a lunge whip with you, maybe just on the floor to begin with. Lunge in a bridle and use a coupling chain under his chin so bit doesn't get pulled through his mouth.

My girl doesn't like wearing any sort of side reins as we lunge on grass and if she slips she panics if she can't throw her head about!

Took about 5 yrs for Rosie to get over her fear of lungeing. Now she's brill and lunges in a headcollar
 
One of mine used to be a pig on the right rein? Bought a Pessoa (JW version as slightly cheaper) and lunged him in it the other night and went really well?!?! In an outline, over tracking, looked really nice and no stressy head syndrome. The advice I give is persevere with hat and gloves on - try a pessoa or alternative and get him bored with it?!?!?
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Not sure pens make any difference. My horse hates being lunged. Normally he is sweet and has perfect manners but on a lunge he turns into a maniac rushing at me with teeth bared disregarding the lunge whip and being totally disrespectful. This happens in a pen, in a school or in a field. I have now accepted that lunging is not his thing and do something different like long reining in a straight line which he quite enjoys.
 
Thanks for the advice everyone. I'm definitely going to persevere with him because I'd like to be able to work towards using a pessoa, or similar, to help encourage him into an outline. I expected to have to get him lunging correctly first though before trying, but it might be worth a try sooner if it worked with your horse pagancloughie.

I'll take him right back to basics again and see if we can work up slowly avoiding the normal problems. OH has also said he'll have a go with him to see if he only plays up for me! lol
 
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