Problems on the lunge.

P

piaffe

Well-Known Member
Joined
22 September 2002
Messages
10,527
Location
Dorset.
Visit site
If you bought a horse that was described as 100% bombproof in everyway and suitable for a novice would you be happy about it going for you on the lunge?

I am currently reschooling a horse bought as above and, to help improve its way of going I decided to introduce some gentle lunger work. Horse is 9 and has been used as a hunter.

I struggled to get it out onto a circle as it just tried to run me over and pushed me back against the school wall. When I did finally get it out it lunged ok, off my voice, knew what to do but when i halted it to change the rein it did the same again. Stood straight on at my reared, and just came at me with its ears flat back. it did this several times and I tried to dart to the side of it to send it on but was too quick and came at me again.

Not a lot puts me off but i was bloody frightened and I got the impression this horse knew EXACTLY what it was doing.
mad.gif


Im afraid to say I gave up in the end, bad I know but if i had tripped up whilst running out of the way the bloody thing would have come straight down on me.

I have only ever had one other horse do this but not to that extent.

I think it is dangerous and have said i am not happy to try again, unless someone can suggest a way of doing it to enable me to get it out straight away and def dont think the novice owner should.

thoughts?
crazy.gif
 
[ QUOTE ]
Quite possibly someone has tried to use NH on it and has freaked it out???
wink.gif


[/ QUOTE ]

Lol Certainly wasn't me!!!
grin.gif
I wonder how the NH lot would deal with this?!
tongue.gif
 
Seriously though, not nice thing to happen and I think you were right to stop the experience. I would see what it is like with a leader - fully suited and booted of course. I have known horses who have been sent away incorrectly and messed about in the head to be aggressive when lunged and handled from the ground, so do take care.
 
Yeh, I agree. I think the owner should send it back, she has only had it a week, also bucks when asked to canter (ridden) but everything has been checked.
 
I have a HW cob who is bombproof to hack even with a novice and a sweetie to handle but he tried to give me a double barelled kick on the lunge (to be fair he was a fair bit away so he did not actually try to get me). He gets very worried on the lunge and clearly had a bad experience as this is totally out of character. I've had him for 6-7 years and as I am not too bothered about lunging him I just don't!
 
If it's a hunter, it may resent schooling, hence the reaction. If I was the new owner, & it was 100% in all other ways and I just wanted a hacker/hunter I would keep it. If I wanted a horse that only lunged then I would send it back. You could try lunging with an outside line (ie 2 reins) to try to prevent it turning to you?
 
Thanks, I did think about to reins but it is soooo dead in the mouth I was unsure.

I agree if she only wanted to happy hacker but this thing only goes in straight lines and has a mouth that is dead.

It was supposed to be 100 per cent in all ways, good to load, took 40 mins to get it on a trailer. Great with the farrier; kicked him safe to ride; kept bucking to try and get me off.

I just think there are so many nice horses out there that she shouldnt have to settle with something that she doesn't trust.
frown.gif
 
Join the club!
grin.gif


I really need to lunge my boy to help him improve with his suppleness, balance, fitness....to help with our ridden schooling work etc (he's 4 by the way)

He's lovely to ride in the school (behaviour wise) and I'm really pleased with his attitude to his work and his ridden progress... everything in general but boy did he used to turn into a nasty piece of work on the lunge (much better now)...just to give you a glimmer of hope!

I've been reared at, boxed at, charged at, kicked at, teeth baring, nostrils curling up, you name he wanted to kill me and yes its very very off putting, frightening and totally knocks your confidence...ooow did I mention bl**dy dangerous?

Hence why I still kind of put it off (scarred me for life lol) but I just stick my hat and gloves on, roller and side reins on him (gives him less freedom and me a little more control), take a big gulp and stand my ground (... a bit of ducking and careful diving) and when he used to come at me I growled at him, pulled my worst face (which is pretty scary lol) puffed my body up to make myself feel bigger (all add to the effect) give him a huge wack with the whip and keep him out to let him know I'm not scared (even though I'm sh*tting my pants) and not let him think he's the boss.

Takes several times and you may need your local hospital's number typed in as a speed dial on your mobile phone (which should be strapped to your jods for quick emergency access) but the horse will learn, thing is they learn that they have won otherwise, but yes its easier said than done and unless your a bit of an idiot (like moi) then its not worth injuring yourself over specially someone elses horse.

Hope it works out in the end anyway.
smile.gif
 
Use two lunge lines and keep hold of the outside one so it can't run in at you. Use an assistant to chivvy it round with the lunge whip so all you have to do is control and steer.
It's obviously got away with this in the past but the continental method of lunging through a roller back to your hand or one line round it's bum makes it impossible for them to fight you.
 
[ QUOTE ]
Thanks, I did think about to reins but it is soooo dead in the mouth I was unsure.

I agree if she only wanted to happy hacker but this thing only goes in straight lines and has a mouth that is dead.

It was supposed to be 100 per cent in all ways, good to load, took 40 mins to get it on a trailer. Great with the farrier; kicked him safe to ride; kept bucking to try and get me off.

I just think there are so many nice horses out there that she shouldnt have to settle with something that she doesn't trust.
frown.gif


[/ QUOTE ]

I'd get rid of it asap then. I misunderstood, thinking it was fine with everything apart from lunging, in which case the owner could decide to live with never lunging it, but it sounds like a totally unsuitable horse. Does the owner have any comeback to the seller?
 
I think so too but the update is that dealer came and rode said horse for new owner in school and all was fine so new owner is now giving her 14 days trial.

I have given up; there is no point me offering my opinion when the owner agrees and the goes against what we have discussed. Its infuriating as this will be the second time she has bought something unsuitable and i can see that a few months down the line she will be back to square one. *rolls eyes*
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top