Rearing/napping on lunge

[cjt1701]

How do I stop my daughters pony from rearing & napping whilst lunging. He's a nappy little devil at the best of time. Back, teeth etc been recently checked all ok.

 

[Azmar]

You need help from another person! He just is not forward thinking and needs teaching this. Someone to drive forwards with lunge whip whilst you stand in centre with lunge line. Doesn't need beating, before complaints start arriving, but he must learn to move forwards on both reins.

 

[gunnergundog]

How old is said pony and what gear do you normally lunge him in?

I would lunge in an enclosed space ....in a pen if you can, failing that in a corner, using two sides of a fence to limit his antics. A second person would be good as suggested above, also a second line around his bum to give control of the quarters if you are confident to lunge like that.

If it is an older more experienced pony, lunging can be incredibly boring. I would ensure that he's warmed up well before asking for anything too much but then keep his attention by frequent transitions and changes within the pace. Also, poles on ground/cavalletti. Vary the size of the circle asking him to leg yield in and out.....anything to keep his brain working.

Remember to check your position relative to the pony so that you are driving him forwards as well.....sorry if teaching grandmother to suck eggs!

 

[eggs]

Agree your pony needs to learn he has to go forward on the lunge. I would lunge him in a bridle without any side reins. Run the lunge line from the outside bit ring over his head and through the inside bit ring. Keep on a fairly small circle using the fence as a guide.

Have an experienced helper with you. You should both wear gloves and hard hats. The helper could lead him with a long lead rope from the inside of the circle. If they have a schooling whip in their hand nearest the pony they could tickle him up with it whenever he tries slowing down.

Keep the sessions short to start with. Good luck with the pony.

 

[cjt1701]

Can't believe I didn't think of helper! He's 8 years old & a little swine. In his defence I don't think he was broken in very well . Suspect had tack thrown on along with small child rider. We have had him for quite a while now and have made reasonable progress with him. Daughter lost interest for a while but started gaining confidence in him in summer.
Thanks for the replies will rally round a helper and go back to basics with him.

 

[poorchickens]

You need help from another person! He just is not forward thinking and needs teaching this. Someone to drive forwards with lunge whip whilst you stand in centre with lunge line. Doesn't need beating, before complaints start arriving, but he must learn to move forwards on both reins.

I second this. You also need to plan ahead and watch him like a hawk so you can stop the napping / rearing when it's only just entered his head. It's about getting him forwards thinking and not giving him a chance to go upwards. My mare is exactly the same as this and a week of having a helper really got her head sorted. Yesterday, she had a complete mad moment, reared, fell over, scared herself (and me!) but I had forgotten to look for the napping signs and had let her misbehave Today, we were back to being fab again

 

[Horsesnponysarelife]

How do I stop my daughters pony from rearing & napping whilst lunging. He's a nappy little devil at the best of time. Back, teeth etc been recently checked all ok.

You could start by getting some one with safty gear on to walk round with the horse on the lunge.So her pony understands what to do.remember to reward and discuride behavior.

 

[TJP]

I school my sons pony quite a bit on long reins rather than on the lunge. I feel it is more interesting for the pony and that I have more influence over what is happening. I do incorporate circles whilst he is on the long reins. I am not sure how old your daughter is or how much she does on her pony but I also make sure not to get the pony too fit.
Lots of good advice in previous replies.