Dennis Reis/Round Pen work/?

Question

I just started the Dennis Reis training program with my 3 year old. The first task is pretty much to free lunge. First off I think my round pen is way to big, so I know I have to fix that first. Anyways, my real problem is that my horse starts trying to look for a way out! He's scared and doesn't want to be in the pen. At one point he SLOWLY lifted his front legs off the ground as if he was going to try to jump it. Please help and thanks for any input.

Dont answer saying I need professional help. I will get it if I need it. Obviously I'm asking on here for a reason, so thank you for helping!

Answer 1

I do not know of this program but sounds very much along the line that I train, so I hope this may help you.  First I would turn him out in the round pen alone and allow him to relax in it.  When he is relaxed I would just walk in by the gate and see his reaction.  if he remains calm ask him off at what ever speed he chooses it is important you really watch your body language it is very easy to over power a horse in the round pen and make them nervous.  there is a lot more to it than chasing them around when free lunging you need to be able to control your emotions, and allow the horse to move freely.  Take things slow to start, some horses do not know what to do with out direct contact especially when they are that young but he will benefit greatly if you take your time and read his body languge.  If you see him getting tense it is important to back off even to the opposite side to release the pressure at first.  It sounds like he is very sensitve and very light which will work in your favor in the long run.  these horses are much easier to work with than ones who you need to really encourage to move.  Ask for basic movement like just a specific direction if he tries to change correct him by moving towards the opposite side to block him and give him the choice to change this way you will not be forcing him into the fence creating tense energy, or cause him to look for a way out.    Sounds like you have a great sensitive horse who will do great in these types of programs.  If you have more questions or imput feel free to email me and I will help if I can.

Good Luck

Answer 2

not sure but curious how is the reis collection work good? my fiance has been wanting the program sorry was no help 4 you

Answer 3

Right now leave the pen the size it is get a book a chair a radio and your horse sit in the middle of your round pen and read your book and let the horse just walk around for an hour or two for a couple of day then after a couple of days do the same thing as before but after an hour make him do a few circle dint worry about trying to get him to turn inside right now just have him change directions and see how he does if he does good then start the training if he does bad read some more the next day and as he gets more comfortable then make the pen smaller after he is comfortable then its up to when you want to stop reading in the round pen with him I dont know but I still like grabbing a Louis Lamore book and going out in the pasture on a nice day and laying the grass and reading with the horses and foals around me