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HorseAdvice.com » Training, Behavior, & Conditioning Horses » Behavior and Training » Teaching a Horse to Lunge »
  Discussion on Lunging Techniques
Author Message
Member:
Mcjules

Posted on Wednesday, Aug 6, 2003 - 1:06 pm:

We just recently bought a 3 1/2 year old Mare who is quite unbalanced on the longe line as well as at the canter. We've stopped cantering her and decided to go back to basics and walk and trot on the longe line to get her to be a bit more balanced before we move on. The problem is that she doesn't like to go to the left - she does ok at the right but when you go to the left she stops and has even charged at me or my daughter. My guess is that constant working on it will cure her of it but, any other suggestions would be appreciated!

Should we start by only longing for a few minutes/day and then gradually increase it? She seems ok at first then she decides she's done and will come to a point when she won't even move....
Member:
Hwood

Posted on Wednesday, Aug 6, 2003 - 2:40 pm:

Hi, Julie,

Is it important that this horse learn to longe? What is it that you want to first get from her? If you want to get her bending to the left, there are other ways to do it . . . without her even knowing you are doing it. In place of longeing, how about doing some leading exercises . .. and make it a more interesting proposition for the both of you. There are bending exercises you can do by offering her a treat if she bends her head around without moving her feet . . . Also, what I use a lot, is John Lyons's "giving to the bit" exercises either on the ground or from on top . . . Stiffness may be from a physical problem . . . or it may be from lack of being asked to do things to the left . . .
I know there are many people on this site who have struggled with stiffness and bending issues and have had success in suppling their horses over time. The aggression is NOT GOOD . . . the horse is trying to tell you something. Have her checked out by a professional who has a good handle on stiffness issues . . . and if all is okay, physically, then move to practicing interesting bends . . .
Holly
New Member:
Lhenning

Posted on Wednesday, Aug 6, 2003 - 2:41 pm:

I am new to this forum, so bare with me if I mess up. When I was training my 2 year old gelding to lunge, he started doing just what you describe. I have been working with a professional trainer and she said he was testing me, and that I need to be very firm and make him go the way I want. I couldn't seem to get him to do it though, and he would go at me in just the same way your mare does. Finally, the trainer jumped in, grabbed the whip from me and started hitting my horse with it. Not hard, just a good solid whack, whack, until he turned and moved off the way she wanted him to go. It freaked me out a bit, since I never hit him. She said I am too soft and easy on him and he is stepping all over me.

She suggested we put him back in the round pen and I work with him to build his respect for me. Not by hitting, but by being firm with him and praising him for moving correctly. I have been doing that for a month now and he no longer stops when we change direction. I haven't yet tried putting a lunge line on, but will be doing that soon. (He was picking up the wrong lead and we've been working to correct that problem also.) I think the round pen is a good way to begin teaching to lunge properly. Hope this helps.
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