Lunge issues

[rizza]

I tried your idea today Jumping Termite I think it went well, Hopefully ending on a positive note will make him a bit more receptive to the whole idea. And short bursts, more often might help while he builds up his fitness a bit as well.

Thanks guys

[Jumping Termite]

Originally Posted by rizza

I tried your idea today Jumping Termite I think it went well, Hopefully ending on a positive note will make him a bit more receptive to the whole idea. And short bursts, more often might help while he builds up his fitness a bit as well.

Thats great to hear. I hope all the ideas will help you and him.

[rizza]

Update on the lungeing.
A few days after my last post, I had a light bulb moment. I really can't believe I didn't pick this up sooner, I feel dumb. I have a habit of lungeing to the left first, so I just figured that by the time I got to lungeing him to the right I assumed that he was getting bored as a few of you suggested, hence the acting up. Anyway, I started off lungeing him to the right first, and he started acting up within a half circle of me asking him to trot. I slowed him, and when he settled i asked him to trot again, and the same thing happened. *LIGHT BULB* by this stage I had kind of twigged to the idea that maybe travelling to the right is bothering him, so i stopped him and started him to the right. And surprise surprise, he is an angel.

I have the chiro coming out next week (unfortunately the guy who has been recommended to me is out of town, so it takes a while to get an appointment) But I'm hoping that maybe now i can get to the bottom of it.

[Evil]

Originally Posted by HorseHandler

.......like he just needs to play for a while before he works. He seems to be trying to do the right thing for you for a little while, then it maybe gets to much for him and he just has to go and have a play. Remember, horses are just like human kids in many ways. I would suggest that you chase him around and around the paddock at liberty, a small paddock if you have one, so you can keep in touch with him. I have one horse in particular who loves to play with me like this every now and again. Then she is ready to work.

I have some customers who I have introduced this to, and it is working very well for them

Let him buck, and kick and get some beans out of him and have some fun. I suspect that he will come up to you when he has had enough and be ready to do some work with you.

Obviously, if he gets a bit too close to you when he is playing, just hold out your lunge whip, or rope and ward him off, without hitting him of course.

You probably won't have to do this every time you work with him, but you may need to do it say, once per week or so if he needs it. Some horses need to do that more than others. particlularly OTT TB's.

I find this post intriguing.....

I have a couple of questions.

While I understand the principles and benefits of the "join up" type exercise you described...I am somewhat confused by it also.

While yes, I agree it might be a way for the horse to blow off steam, to work within a herd situation, and to bond with the owner..do you think this really solves the problem of disobedience on the lunge?

I am of the belief that horses have 23 hours a day to goof off, and blow off steam, but once the halter goes on its down to business. Now by this I dont mean mind numbing work, free of expression or personality, but I do mean, cut the crap and do ask you are being asked.

What if on the morning of a large competition you find your horse has excess energy? Do you then take him back to his paddock and chase him around?

Do you ever find that this chasing/join up type game actually causes problems of its own? ie harder to catch horses? Horses thinking their humans are play toys and taking the game too far? Horses that wont settle into their work quickly and easily?

Facinating stuff...I am learning alot

[gumnut girl]

I think you are probably right.
I know how hard it is to get GOOD Chiro's out quickly- but it will be worth the wait.
It always amazes me how quickly horses get over muscle aches and pains, after a treatment - not like us who tend to moan & groan for quite a while (LOL)