Would some horses just rather be ridden than lunged?

I've been lunging horses for 40+ years (not the same ones!) and have NEVER had one that pratted about on the lunge (and there are many of these) do the same under saddle. I think they realise that lunging is a bit of free time and have a buck and a fart before getting down to the serious business of carrying mum.
 
I'm pretty good at lunging, have been taught how to do it. I can lunge with 2 lines, in side reins, with various gadgets and just off one single line and a cavesson. I lunge over poles, long rein, all sorts. Used to long rein and lunge my last horse a fair bit, as well as working him in hand.

The new one just doesn't get lunging, simple as that. He knows full well there's no one on top and uses it as an excuse to prat about. He is marginally better when long reined but he can't cope with anything other that walk - he will LR pretty nicely in walk, change reins, make the various school figures and even a little bit of very baby lateral work BUT he can't cope with the excitement of it in trot. Lunging is even more pointless with him.

I've given up because all he's going to do is end up injuring himself! I just ride him now, with the very occasional long reining session or in hand session.
 
Cortez said:
I've been lunging horses for 40+ years (not the same ones!) and have NEVER had one that pratted about on the lunge (and there are many of these) do the same under saddle. I think they realise that lunging is a bit of free time and have a buck and a fart before getting down to the serious business of carrying mum.
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Yes! I am sure you're better at lungework than I am, and smanf is probably also better than me. But I do think many horses like to let off a bit of steam sometimes on the lunge; as long as they're not tanking around being dangerous I grit my teeth and get them past it. I've always liked to have my horses ok on lunge, for when I'm short of time, or when t ground is ok for lungeing but a bit slippery for me to haul my aged bones on their backs.

Best tip I ever had is to use my voice as the key aid. My one zesty TB will stop dead in mid-bronc with a sharp shout from me. I now allow him to use lunge time to have a frolic when he wants to... "Off you go" is the cue and he has a good old dance and fart. But he stops on command. Previous owner, who is much better than I am, was scared to lunge him due to his "explosions' but I've taken it carefully and lungework is now fun for us both.

Patience may be the key.
 
smanf said:
PC Steele, are you in the met? I was working in Trafalgar Square for a while so may have seen you about. I know the city police pretty well as I used to keep my old boy in the royal parks stockyard where they have their training / holiday home
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I am, been in the mounted branch for 9 years:rolleyes:
 
Once again, everyone's reassurance is invaluable, thank you all so much. I am not worried about him being a div on the lunge in isolation, it is something that we will work through in time. But I am starting to feel a lot more capable if separating the lunging experience from the riding one in my head :)
 
My boy is super laid back, is the easiest horse to handle, but is a complete nutter on the lunge, he goes off calmly in walk but as soon as you ask him to trot he explodes and broncs off, it can take him 15/20mins to calm down some days, and then he'll lunge beautifully, he does get better if he's lunged a few days in a row, but to ride and handle he's lovely, I honestly feel like I could lead him through the streets of London. I just think he see's lunging as an opportunity to have a bit of fun and let off some steam, I don't ever think he might reciprocate it under saddle.
 
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