Numpty asking for Lunging Advice please

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Salcey

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Ok - so I have decided it would be good to lunge my two a couple of times a week now they are out 24/7 in order to keep their grass bellies at bay.

However I think I have forgotten everything I ever knew.
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I haven't lunged for about 15 years because I've never really had the need.

Tried to lunge the 5yo tonight and she totally ignored everything I tried to do. It was so frustrating. She is usually quite sharp so I started off without a whip but she stood and looked at me. So picked up the whip and just started wiggling it a bit as I expected her to tank off. She barely ambled round. It got to the point where I could crack the whip and she just continued ambling round as slowly as possible.
Apparantly last year before she was turned away she lunged beautifully without a whip according to her previous owner.
So I must be totally useless or she is taking the pee big time.

Suggestions please to make her more forward as I would really like to crack this
 
I'd say use your voice a lot (esp if you use your voice on the ground usually). Your ATTITUDE is very important - Push your shoulders back and look bold, looking strongly into your horse's eye.
Position is No 1 to me - Make sure you are not level with your horse's head or in front of it. Position yourself so you are behind the back legs, the idea being you are driving the back legs forward. Even march confidently from the rear of your horse TOWARDS your horse to get it moving forward (whilst directing the back end with the whip). Obviously at all times don't get too close.
I would even tap gently the inside hind leg with the whip if you fail to get a reaction.
Another option if really desparate might be free schooling - driving your horse away from you and the lunging.
 
i recently got back to grips with lunging as hercules really needed it my friend who is a riding instructor really helped me. think of the shape made by yourself the horse the lunge rein and whip as a triangle try and keep yourself in the center of the horses body if you use a saddle then line up with the stirrup. use your voice alot be firm almost growl the instruction if she does not listen. move the whip in a forward and back motion rather than up and down and if she still ignores you give her a little tap with the whip on her back end just to wake her up and make sure she know your there and you mean business! also as soon as she starts listening to you and doing as you ask reward her with your voice tell her shes a good girl and keep going steady ect.
 
Yeah I tried to stand tall, use lots of voice both growling and encouraging and keep at the point of the triangle but she made it really hard.
I wasn't sure if I should be touchng her with the whip or not.
It was really frustrating
 
Body language and voice are key when lunging - I've been making sure that Oscar gets lunged atleast twice a week to help with the ground work and I don't need a whip now - and he will halt on the lunge....which is a bonus!!

Make sure you keep your voice commands consistent though....
 
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