Jumping lunging and leading my horse?

Question

my horse sometimes tries to run around the jump and i just want some tips on how i can get her to stop doing this. i know all horses do it sometimes but she tries evrytime.

and also im not quite sure on how to lunge her properly she trots but she wont canter once she bolted while i was lunging her and almost took me with her lol.

and one last thing she wont trot being led is there a way i can train her to do so.

thnx please help me shes my first horse and i still need to build up some confidence

Answer 1

You need some help.  From what you describe, neither you nor your horse is prepared for any of these challenges.  You have a lot of basic ground work to accomplish if you CANNOT EVEN LEAD YOUR HORSE.  This is very unsafe for both of you.  Get some assistance from a local trainer or get some natural horsemanship methods from tapes or dvds.  Horses do not just naturally "know" how to do these things.  You have to communicate with them and help them understand what you want and what the proper response would be.  If they make the incorrect response, you need to know how to safely and respectfully make them aware of the error.  Horses learn from release of pressure but you have to have the feel, timing, and balance necessary to communicate the right thing at the right time.   Explaining these things in their entirety would take volumes.  Again, find someone who can help you with your horse.   Be safe.

Answer 2

1. I know how you feel! My belgian warmblood who is 7yrs used to do this quite alot. But i put two wings at the right side and gave her a long lunge so she would be closer to the wings than she was to the middle of the jump. That way she didn't have time to run to the other side or the jump.

2. Use a lunge whip. But tap her on the shoulder with if it if she tends to bolt. If she still doesn't canter try lunge her with someone on her back. If you don't have that someone firmly say CANTER and keep tapping her with the whip.

3. Never had a horse who won't trot on leadrein but i not to sure if your meaning to lead her in bridle or in halter. Well if in bridle make sure your hand is very close to the bit and take a crop. If she wont trot give her a tap with the crop and pull the bit forward.

In halter it's harder but it helps if you use a leather headcollar and a chain lead and then you have more control.

***Good Luck with her!***

Answer 3

My horse does this too from time to time, but it's usually only on one side, because he has difficulty keeping the right lead, and loses balance, etc.

Have you tried free lunging your horse? It sounds like her bolting may be caused by lack of free time. Try chasing her without a line, keeping the line in your hand to swing at her to pick it up, or using a lunge whip in the same manner (naturally, don't hit the horse with it). Let her get her kicks out, etc. This could help regain her focus and make her more ready to listen to your commands.

When lunge jumping a rebelious horse, try setting up blockers before and after the jump. Lunge her so that she gets funneled into the line up for the jump. Sink with her, and push at her flank with pressure from the whip, or line, as well as your body language. She will have no other option but to go forward and jump SOMETHING, whether that's your jump, or the blockers. lol.

If she cuts you off, turn her around and line her right back up with it. It might be tedious, but eventually, she will get tired of fighting you and will take it. It could be too, that your jump is too high, or that your arena space is too large, tempting her to avoid it (take the easy way out), rather than jump it.

Is your jump on the rail, or in the open? Placing the jump on the rail will help guide her to it, especially with blockers in place (can be anything from more jumps, elevated ground poles, chairs, stepping stools, whatever).

To lunge "properly", keep your shoulders square, and move at the horse's flank to push her forward. Snap your whip, or swing your line to get her to move out. If she is having difficulty cantering on the lunge line, try widening your circle. It could be that she is too big for the tight circle you are working her in, and can't keep a canter going, so when she gets one, she takes it out further that what you are working her in--i.e. the bolting.

When you want her to turn around, cut her off, and swing your whip/line near her shoulder to push her away and turn around. Once she moves away, return to her flank and fall back into place so that she knows to move out and forward. To ask for a stop, tug the line, and drop your shoulders, relaxing. Cutting her off a little (not as much as it would take to turn her around, but enough to get her attention) might help to bring her in as well. Present her your side, or your hand, and she should stop and/or come into you.

Trotting on the lead. She sounds lazy here, lol. With my horse, I cluck/kiss and bring the lead up under chin, so that her head gets pulled up and out. Pick up a jog yourself and keep kissing/clucking until she moves. If she still refuses, try getting someone behind her with a whip, or line. Have them make the same sounds, and swing the line/whip at her to encourage her to pick up a trot.