Lunging Problems

[Stephelia]

My horse has decided that he doesn't want to be lunged. Yesterday, I was lunging him for a few minutes, he was pulling hard and a little out of control. I usually let him get it out of his system before starting a controlled lunging session. BUT, when I wanted to switch directions, he just turned and faced me. and as I kept turning to start the lunge session, he kept pivoting on the fore leg so he was always facing me. Finally I gave up. He was SO stubborn!

Any tips? I do use a whip, but I was afraid if I cracked it with him facing me, he would end up lurching forward in my direction.

Frustrated Steph

[Gracie]

MY horse is still young so she does that too sometimes & I understand the fear of them running towards you! But if you have the whip use it as a tool. If he is facing you use the whip(Not to hit him but guide him) I'am not talking about whipping him with it... I'm saying just poking him until he moves facing the same direction as he wants to go! Horses arn't to fear the whip either, you should be able to move the whip all over your horse(softly) without him budging thats why its a good guide! IF you horse does fear the whip to be honest I'am not sure because thats what I use when my horse does that! But I'd love to hear how other people fix this problem! Hope it helps!

[maverick927]

I always use two lunge ropes. One directly from the cavesson and one from the other side of the bridle around his bum. It is annoying though as it is a whole operation when I want to change direction.

[Pintaloosa]

Good advise Maverick. Though it's a hassle it works. Never end a session on a bad note. Get what you wanted out of your work even if it means adding to your equipment.

[Miriam]

Having just got back from a weekend away where we were doing lunging can I ask if your horse comes towards you? If he stays on the spot and just pivots inwards make yourself large and chase him back out. If however he comes into you (like mine does) and just keeps throwing his head up then you have to think about a different technique or if you really need to lunge at all. Do you use side reins at all?

Oh and Stephanie can I ask is your horse a Welsh Cob? When i asked about this coming in towards you the first thing I was asked 'Is it a Welsh Cob'. This really took me by suprise as yes mine is a Welsh X cob

[virtuallyhorses]

Hi I was given a link to Chris Irwin's website (http://www.chrisirwin.com) by someone on the naturalhorsemanship board - he has some excellent articles on lunging, which may help.

[Bel]

Why don't you free lunge him?
I only ever free lunge now. I had a accident with my old horse danny and a lunge lead, he had a pobia of whips ( unknown to us lady we got him off told us she lunged him every day using a whip) he ended up riping the lunge line out of my hands as he bolted took the skin off three fingers and my palm. After that he was free lunged using my body to stop him from turning in i.e running with him and my voice. kept my and him fit since i couldn't hold reins for three weeks.

[Lucy J]

my horse won't turn on the lunge, I lunge off the bit anyway, so I bring the horse next to me, change the lunge line onto the other bit ring and push her back out. Ciara hates lunging off the right rein and tries very hard not to let me push her back out. I can't walk in from of her to her right hand side as she won't let me, i either walk under her head or behind her