Lunging help!?

Question

I need help with lunging! I'm shocking at it, i normally wouldn't bother but i've broken my arm and can't ride for SIX WEEKS. Gah. I've got an awesome little mare called Zoe, we get on well etc etc but when it comes to lunging..

she'll either turn in towards me instead of circling, or just stop and eat grass (she's not fazed by the lunge whip either :S) and I can't get her to go. She'll look at me as though I'm mad .The most i can do with her is get her walking, we did manage a trot once though.

I think it's more my problem than it is hers, as i'm an inexperiencd lunger. But ANY suggestions are highly appreciated!

Would it be a good idea to have someone riding her while I try and lunge her for the first couple of times to get her used to the circle Idea? Or would that teach bad habits? We've tried leading her in a circle with no success. She's very forard moving when ridden.

Answer 1

well i no you can't ride but have someone saddle her up for you with the saddle and bridle and everything....then hold close to the bit and use the end of the reins to keep her going in a circle...if she trys to get out still hold close to the bit....and make sure if she gets out of the circle you punish her because this is the only way she will learn how to do it with out the bridle and just a lounge line

Hope this helps!

Answer 2

Try attaching a lightwieght pole to the lunge line. This should allow you to "lead" from a distance. If she won't lead, "tickle" her hind feet with the whip until she gets moving and to keep her moving. Once you both get the hang of it, you should be able to remove the pole.

Answer 3

Start her on a smaller circle, and make sure you are behind her girth line.  Reach out with your longe whip, and poke her in the shoulder or ribs with it to make her move out on to the circle until she gets the idea....then you just have to point it at her.  If leg commands already make sense to her, poking her in the ribs where your heel would be should get her attention.

Then, after you have her walking in a circle around you ask for some speed by clicking to her like you do under saddle for a trot, and then flick the longe whip at her butt.  If she doesn't trot off, snap it at her, and don't be afraid to make some contact, its not going to hurt her.  If she tries to turn into the circle, make sure you step behind that girth line again, and drive forward with the whip at her hip.  You might be circling all over the arena until she gets the hang of it, but thats okay.

I wouldn't mess with longing with a rider on, I teach all my yearlings to longe, and they are stupid for the first few weeks, its just the way it goes when they learn something new.  If she tries to stop and eat grass, give her a tug on the line, and drive forward with that whip again.  Use your body language (like walk at her agressively and point the longe whip at her) to get her to move.  She'll figure it out!

Good luck, hope the arm heals fast!

Answer 4

i love your question and am shocked that you are not automatically thinking that this lunge problem is your horse's fault...good job!! (sorry, most people just come to the conclusion all too quickly that its the horse's fault or problem)

i would suggest watching a more experienced person lunge their horse, then have them lunge your horse, and you can even stand in the center with them to get the full effect....eventually you should be able to lunge your mare on your own...

and if all else fails (some horses just don't lunge...) you may need to walk with your horse in circles (not the best in teh summer months...haha but it can be fun!!!  its groundwork, and you can work on halter class exercises as well as trail or trail in hand) or temporarily hire someone to ride your horse...

hope this helps, and good luck!

Answer 5

i knew a lazy old horse that i couldn't get to leave my back pocket. what i did was put a wester saddle on her, and run the line through the fork of the horn so when she went to turn in i could pull her head back out.

hope it helps!

Answer 6

Draw an imaginary line from her withers down to infront of her shoulders. Stay behind this "drive" line!! If you're infront of this line that changes her direction; behind you're driving her foward. Try getting a handi-stick (Clinton Anderson) which has a little more "go" than a wispy lunge whip. Stand outside of kicking distance from her and:

1. With your belly button facing her head and body behind her drive line point where you want her to go, if she doesn't move click at her and if she STILL isn't moving shake your stick at her in a rythmic (1,2,3,4 count) four count.

2.If she won't move tap her (1,2,3,4)

3.If she still won't move (1,2,3,4) tap her hard!

4.If she STILL won't move wack her (1,2,3,4)! Be firm but neccessary!

She will start moving after step 4 if done correctly. As soon as she starts moving let her be! If she stops again start the process over again. 1.Point  2.Click  3.Tap the air  4.Tap her! If you do it in this order every time, pretty soon you'll be able to point and she'll go. Kid you not. I taught my 12 year old horse to do this. Have fun and good luck!

Answer 7

To keep her from not coming in to you stick the whip at her shoulder. She won't be able to come in and then put the whip down once she moves out. If she comes in point the whip at the shoulder and she should move out. When it comes to not listening I would do the Parelli technique. If she doesn't do the gaits within three seconds then begin to wiggle the whip, within three seconds, raise the whip and snap it on the ground. It should get her attention and it is a humane training technique. Plus I think she will learn to like lunging over time. Good luck!