loose schooling

[hlstarmie]

Can someone tell me how to loose school a horse. How do you keep them under control?
Are the commands different?
What position should you be in?
If the horse bolts frantically around what should you do?
Any help would be grate!

[Wally]

Read up on body language. That is a great help. I use the same commands I use when lungeing, coupled with body language the horse can under stand.

If the horse bolts round and round, just stand absolutely still, look at your feet,(keep an eye out for where the horse is but don't look directly at her) Keep turning away from the horse until she calms down. Keep your shoulders soft and rounded, not square on to the horse.
When approaching don't walk up to her square on, go at an angle keeping shoulders rounded.
Read Monty Roberts.

[hlstarmie]

Thank you wally do you use the whip when loose schooling?

[Queenie]

Wally's right losoe reining is very much lunging coupled with body language.

I don't use a whip but I carry a lead rope or lunge line and when I need that bit more forward motion or attentiveness I throw out the rope behind my mare. Normally voice & body language is enough to go through the paces but if I need that bit extra the lead rope is enough. However, it's not a problem to use a whip if you need it.

I bit of advise is if you are loose schooling for the first time in a normal "square school" try to block out the corners in a safe way, otherwise you might find your horse will get stuck (I mean stop) in the corners.

Good Luck !

[Wally]

Right again, Queenie, (I used to drive a horse called Queenie!!)
I don't use a whip, just a long rope, and yep block off the corners.

[hlstarmie]

I have tried loose schooling my pony and i think my body language must be totally wrong as my pony gallops from corner to corner and even charges the fence! I thought he was going to jump out at one point.
He charges to one corner and as soon as i get near him he takes off to the next corner, stops i approach and off he goes!
He wont move no matter what until i get near him and then he will go.
I have no control what so ever.
The only control i get is when i finish put the whip down and he will trot over to me as if its all a game!
What am i doing, i cant get control!

[intouch]

You have to stay behind the girth area and walk towards the quarters - if you get in front of the girth you turn the horse in the opposite direction. Imagine a right-angled triangle with the horses body and the line from his quarters to you making the right-angle. But you should really get someone to show you, it's easy when you can see what you're trying to do.

[hlstarmie]

I have got my pony loose schooling quite well now and i think he actually enjoys it.
He has his little gallop as soon as he gets into the school but he then settles down and does his walk and trot quite well. He had a little canter the other day but needed calming down so i need a bit of work doing that but hes listening and were getting there!!
thanks for all your help.