Teaching to lunge?

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somethingorother

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Trying again without the waffle, not a single reply to my last post after 2 days!

How would you go about teaching a 3 year old to lunge, when they are very laid back and see no point in moving :rolleyes: Even a flick on the bum with the lunge whip does not cause an eyelid to bat.

Have tried having someone run around with them for a bit but didn't work.

Any suggestions and you can have a treat of your choice.
 
Use something more visual, plastic bag on a stick, I swing a rope at mine. Any way you could loose school first so he gets the idea? He's probably thoroughly confused.
 
Try getting him used to voice commands an visual cues in hand first, where you are close enough to give him a push in the right direction. I'm sure you've already taught him to lead politely next to you, stop and start, turn towards and away from you, back up etc. So be particularly aware of saying 'walk on' and 'woah', and of getting him to move over when you point and say 'over' etc. He needs to be aware that those noises you make connect to instructions you've already established!

You can play games loose in the school that are about getting him to step away when you fling your arms out and come close when you drop them. Just take a longish rope in with you and twirl the end (obviously the soft end not the clip end!) - most horses step away from that - then make a big fuss and encourage him back over. If he doesn't move away then spin the rope vigorously and step determinedly towards his shoulder.

Once he's got it you can use the same idea on the lunge - twirl the end of the lunge line at his shoulders to send him out and at his quarters to send him forwards. Try not to do it continuously - stop the moment he does as you ask and praise. He'll probably fall in or stop when you stop spinning, but just give the instruction again. You might find you end up with a small circle to begin with so don't do very much - a few goes round each way would be great.

Pair what you are asking for with body language / the rope with voice commands: 'out', 'go on', 'woah' etc, and let him make the connection. Before long you should be able to half heartedly flick the rope towards his shoulders and say 'out', or towards his quarters and say 'walk on'.

If he is a bit backward thinking then I'd get hims staright up into trot quite quickly, obviously for very short periods (a circle or two). He will probably take the easy route and step out onto a bigger circle around you.
 
All these are great ideas, just one other thing I thought of, when you've got him on the lunge, is there someone that could walk around with them to get the idea of going around you in a circle?
 
I've just started lunging my 3 year old ISH. I've had him 2 months, and he was barely halter trained when I got him from Ireland. He was totally confused when I first lunged him, but I had a friend loop a lead rope through the caverson from the other side to me and she led him around whilst I held onto the lunge rein, and then she gradually released the lead rope. He got the hang of it pretty quickly and now knows what he has to do!!

Karen. x
 
Start on a very small circle and use the whip harder.. Make sure you are looking forwards yourself and attempt to make a triangle between his head, you and his bum, but keep slightly behind him to send him forward. Start off in a corner of the arena and be prepared to move with him, too many people use the BHS method which is hopeless when teaching a baby horse. As soon as he gets what you want move with him so he can pick up trot and extend the circle, some babies however need you to stay on atiny circle for a while until they get the commands. Try teaching trot as a verbal command alongside when leading and also learn how to use your whip alongside to get it.
 
I can also recommend getting someone to lead them around from the head collar. I've used this method with horses that have no idea and stand still, and also with those that just rush round like loonies. It really helps them learn the voice commands.
 
Also, I find that teaching them to 'stand' instead of just reeling them in whilst walking is good. I love working with horses that know how to halt on the lunge
 
Thanks for the suggestions, sounds like my best bet is to associate voice aids first then? The 4 year old (another who i've just started some ground work with) picked it up very quickly as she is much more sensitive and listened to my body language. I did have someone lead her on the circle for a bit, but it's a private yard and i never really have anyone available to walk round with her. Will do lots more in hand work and voice aids with her first. And yes Pardalis, i will teach her to stand on cue as well, i don't like it when horses turn in at you on the lunge.

Can't loose school her (preferred choice) as she doesn't move out of the gate corner and the rare time she does, she charges back at it full pelt.

I tried swinging a rope, no reaction. At least she is bomb proof :D lol

Thanks again.
 
Definitely try and get some help. I would come and do it but I'm in SW London! I do think the voice commands are the key. Then the whip will help with tempo and impulsion. I don't think loose schooling will help in your situation. Good luck! X
 
Should have added we have also used a plastic bag on the lunge whip for really laid back ones, the rustle helps make them move. Don't be confused by the detail, to start with all you need is a horse that will trot round in a rough circle, the refinement gets put in later.. To many people try too hard, just get the youngster moving forwards, the rest will follow with practice.
 
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