Quick lunging question!

[caitlin95uk]

I need a bit of advice when it comes to lunging my mare.
She will go nicely for a while but if I ask her to pick up the speed or do something she cant be bothered or doesnt want to do she'll turn in on the circle with her ears flat back and come towards me, she has never come as far as to bite or kick me but if I didnt step back I think she most likely would. She can do it if I go to catch her and she doesn't want to come in too. Has anyone else had a problem like this or have any advice?

 

[be positive]

Dont step back, she is taking control and winning if you do. Use your lunge whip to send her forward and keep her out, there is little point in lunging if the horse is in charge, you must stand firm and remain in control.
If she really will not go out use two reins which will enable you to keep her where she should be.

 

[caitlin95uk]

Dont step back, she is taking control and winning if you do. Use your lunge whip to send her forward and keep her out, there is little point in lunging if the horse is in charge, you must stand firm and remain in control.
If she really will not go out use two reins which will enable you to keep her where she should be.

Thankyou will try this.

 

[xspiralx]

Dont step back, she is taking control and winning if you do. Use your lunge whip to send her forward and keep her out, there is little point in lunging if the horse is in charge, you must stand firm and remain in control.
If she really will not go out use two reins which will enable you to keep her where she should be.

This. She is trying (and succeeding) to intimidate you. You need to be more assertive with your body language so she respects you.

Stand square with both your shoulders directly facing her, point your whip at her shoulder if she is trying to come in at you, don't be afraid to eyeball her. You may even need to step forward towards her - essentially you are the dominate one and you are sending her away - not the other way around!

 

[mcnaughty]

Put another lunge rein on the other side and pass the rein through stirrup or lunge roller ring and round her bottom.

 

[AshTay]

My horse tries to turn in and stop (not agressively though) and I've learned to read the signs just as he starts to do it and I step forwards and to the side/behind him (sort of maintaining my position relative to him even as he's swung his back end out) and drive him quickly forwards again in trot. If that makes sense? So by turning towards me all he ends up doing is moving onto a different circle. He does it less and less now as it doesn't achieve anything.

 

[horsemadelsie]

My youngster used to charge at me bucking sometimes, think he wanted to play! I had to crack the whip at him to send him out a few times, and although he looks in to the middle still, he doesn't come at me anymore!

 

[Holtons Hollywood]

The dominant horse in a relationship is the one who can make the other move their feet (which is why I get plenty of tail swishing when I ask my dominant mare to move over - she knows who's in charge, but she doesn't like it!). So, when lunging or in the field, when your mare moves at you in this dominant way, she is saying 'I'm in charge, move it!'
Whilst the lunging with two reins is an excellent way to stop her turning in - as you'll simply be able to turn her back out again - it hasn't actually solved the 'who's dominant?' question. So I'd take the advice given by bepositive and xspiralx and make it plain, in horse language, that you're taking control and won't move your feet. Good luck!