how to slow down when lunging?

[*millie*]

I'm going to lunge Pride again tomorrow (:D ) and he responds really well to my voice when i want him to get faster, but i can't slow him down at all :eek: and just have to stand getting dizzy waiting for him to slow down. I've tried using my voice, but he takes no notice! :p

What do i do?

[galadriel]

If you're using a lunge whip, drop the point to the ground, or take the lunge whip and point it out in front of his nose.

Try looking this over:
http://lorienstable.com/articles/handling/300-lunging/

[*millie*]

I don't have a lunge whip to use... and when i do use it i end up getting all tangled lol :o

[domane]

Do you use the same commands when you ride? I found that once I started using the same voice commands when riding to speed up and slow down, especially calling out "wo-oah!" in the same tone, when slowing down Cherry, she really started to respond better on the lunge. And of course, if you long line in a circle, you can use the reins to slow him down like you would if you were riding... the other way is just to shorten the line as you call out your chosen slow-down command... the circle ends up so small they generally find it more comfortable to slow!!! I usually end with "stand!" too... just for good measure, once she is just about stopped! :)

[galadriel]

Okay. Even without the lunge whip, the article will still help you with positioning yourself to encourage the horse to speed up / slow down.

[EmmaRotherham]

Does he know the command your using? I've found a few horses (while they MAY have been taught at some point) have 'forgotten' vocal commands once they're being ridden.

Try using them when you're leading him on the ground. The trick is to 'suggest' a stop with body language then WHEN he is just about to stop giving the 'whoa' (or whatever command you want) so he learns to associate it with this sound.

You can do the same when your riding, work on softening your stop aids and including 'whoa' till he stops on a voice command. Personally I preffer to work on the ground though

Also, check (or get someone else to check) your body language isn't keeping him out on the lunge. It's ok you saying 'whoa' when your body language is saying 'go faster/stay away from me'

Also, rather than waiting for him to slow down, give the 'whoa' command then SLOWLY make the circle smaller till he HAS to slow down. And praise as soon as he does. For example, if he's trotting on a 20 meter circle ask for walk (i preffer to name the pace, but other people prefer to just use one word for 'slow down' and 'go faster') then bring the circle size smaller and smaller till he walks then follow by 'good boy!'

The reason I prefer actual 'walk, trot, canter' commands is because I then use these continually to maintain the pace I want. A short 'walk on' asks for a faster walk while a long 'waaaalllk' asks for a slower walk, but still walking, not troting or stopping.

[*millie*]

Ok, thanks :)

Thanks for the link :)

[xXSundanceBayXx]

ive been taught for upward transitions they are to be quick and sharp like "trot on" but for downward transitions you have to make them long and low like from trot to walk you would say "waaaaallllllllkkkkkkiiiiiing" and to halt its "whhoooooo hoooooooo" and keep doing it till he stops.

[Wally]

Have you checked what your body is saying to the horse?