lunge help

[Danyele]

I'm going to start teaching prince to lunge.theres a few reasons, I can see what he's doing better, it reassures me that he'll do as hes told when i'm having a nervous nellie fit, it'll help him with his fitness etc.

so, the question is, how do i go about teaching him? he's very fond of coming in to me, and i'm slighty nervous of ruining my bond with him and just scaring him in general by waving a whip at him and refusing to let him come to me (silly i know :P). i have a whip, line and cavesson, and if i use his bridle he's ridden in a straight bar happy mouth.
any advice welcome :)

[LindaAd]

I'm going to start teaching prince to lunge.theres a few reasons, I can see what he's doing better, it reassures me that he'll do as hes told when i'm having a nervous nellie fit, it'll help him with his fitness etc.

so, the question is, how do i go about teaching him? he's very fond of coming in to me, and i'm slighty nervous of ruining my bond with him and just scaring him in general by waving a whip at him and refusing to let him come to me (silly i know :P). i have a whip, line and cavesson, and if i use his bridle he's ridden in a straight bar happy mouth.
any advice welcome :)


Don't wave the whip, just point it at his shoulder. If he's been taught to lunge, he'll understand that that means "go out", and the whip pointing behind him, with your voice aids, means "go forward". If he hasn't been taught to lunge, or you haven't, then you should get an instructor to help, or at least read something about it.

He shouldn't be scared of the whip, although he might be if you wave it in his face.

[Scarlett 001]

I had a similar question to previous person - do you have an RI who can show you? It would be an excellent idea to consider getting your RI (if there is one!) to instruct you. So many times I've seen people struggling away with lungeing technique. My horse is a breeze to lunge, but even so I asked my RI to show me more. Even though I was in contol lungeing etc., there were so many tricks and tips to get my horse moving even better. I am a big advocate for even those who are lungeing pretty well to get extra help - I really think there is so much to learn. Well worth you getting a lesson. If you can't, then there are books you can buy as well as videos etc. I'd consider this! :)

[Danyele]

Thanks! it was my RI who suggested teaching him to lunge. I have done it before, but only with ponies who knew what they were doing. thank you :)

[SA rider]

Have you got a confident pal who can help you?
I taught Chica to lunge by me on the end of the line and a pal walking on her outside leading her around in the correct direction, me with whip trailing behind her.
Me saying "walk on" and "good girl". Eventually my pal just walked beside her and then slowly walked further back (ie on her shoulder) then eventually moved away.
Chica picked it up quickly.
Obviously we had some arguments when we started trot etc. but got there after two sessions.
Don't expect perfection too quickly. Me and chica still have the odd little stand off if she's in a cheeky mood, but being able to lunge her has been brilliant for training her to track up and listen to my instructions and concentrate better. Also great for our relationship.