Lunge issues

rizza · 29th June 2009, 11:48 PM

I am doing a bit of groundwork with my horse at the moment while I bring him back into work and build up his strength and fitness. He isn't very balanced, and he hasn't done a great deal since he came OTT four years ago (mostly trail riding and pleasure).

The first few times I lunged him he was fine. I'm doing more trot work than anything as he get a bit silly in a canter, probably because he isn't too balanced (much the same story when I'm riding). Anyway, the last couple of times I have lunged him he goes fine for a few minutes, and then he starts bucking and bolts. I don't have a round yard I can use, which would be brilliant, so I am lunging him in a paddock (not his). I always lunge him again after, so he doesn't think he can get away with it, but he still does it every time I lunge

I can't hold him when he bolts (I did try, but dislocating my shoulder attempting to hold my horse doesn't really sound like fun, nor does being dragged around like a rag doll) which doesn't help because although I catch him and lunge again he is getting away with it because I can't bring him in when he first bolts, so to a degree he is getting away with it. And then there is the issue of him running off with a lunge lead attached.

I do use side reins, but on the loosest setting, as I'm trying to get him to work long and low at the moment, and I really don't agree with Jamming a horse's head in to make it look pretty. I'm trying to build up his top line and work on his balance, the rest will come in time. I have had to stop using them at the moment (he does the same with or without them) because I'm worried he's going to get himself caught up and end up hurt if he bolts. I'm lunging him in a halter at the moment while i try to get him out of his new game.

Does anyone have any ideas as to what might be causing this?? Or even better, how i can get him out of it before it gets worse???

Jumping Termite · 30th June 2009, 10:00 AM

..... That sounds very dangerous. Maybe if it was possible to get a tyre or something similar and tie that to his lunge line so when he bolts he has something to drag..... Before that though I would try and get him through it slowly by lunging him for a few minutes then stopping before he tries to bolt and rewarding him with lots of pats. If this worked i would do it once or twice a day until he seemed absolutely fine with it. Then i would try and lunge him for longer... Hope this helps.

HorseHandler · 30th June 2009, 10:30 AM

Does anyone have any ideas as to what might be causing this?? Or even better, how i can get him out of it before it gets worse???[/quote]

.......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.

nitemarch · 30th June 2009, 02:59 PM

Quote:

I do use side reins, but on the loosest setting, as I'm trying to get him to work long and low at the moment, and I really don't agree with Jamming a horse's head in to make it look pretty.

that was one of the best statements I have read! You obviously do know a thing or two about horses!

Perhaps you could make a straw or tire round yard so you can free lunge him. OTT can be very unbalanced as you have said and this could be what sets him off after working for a while-he may be finding it too hard and decides to do a runner. Free lunging is a bit easier on his joints and he will be able to carry himself more naturally until he gets the hang of it.

It is also possible, like horsehandler has said that he just needs to burn off a little steam through play before work.

rizza · 30th June 2009, 09:26 PM

Thanks for the ideas guys

Horse handler, i love the idea of playing with him at liberty, I'll have to see if i can use one of the small paddocks where I agist him and give that a go.

Another agistment property down the road has a round yard, they are full so i can't move him there, but I might approach the owner and see if i can pay her to use the round yard. It doesn't seem to get used too often.

nitemarch, a good deal of what I know is mostly due to a horseless youth. lol. I used to spend HOURS reading books about horses and training, I knew it would all come in handy one day

HorseHandler · 1st July 2009, 11:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rizza

Thanks for the ideas guys

Horse handler, i love the idea of playing with him at liberty, I'll have to see if i can use one of the small paddocks where I agist him and give that a go.

Another agistment property down the road has a round yard, they are full so i can't move him there, but I might approach the owner and see if i can pay her to use the round yard. It doesn't seem to get used too often.

nitemarch, a good deal of what I know is mostly due to a horseless youth. lol. I used to spend HOURS reading books about horses and training, I knew it would all come in handy one day

...may well find, that by engaging in this activity with him, you will have him bond even closer with you. I have experienced this every time with horses. He will say - " wow, I like this chick, she speaks horse ".....

rizza · 1st July 2009, 11:29 PM

No luck with the round yard

Insurance wont cover me if I get hurt on the property, or if anyone else gets hurt. Hopefully I can arrange to use a smaller paddock to have a play with him. I'll know on the weekend when I see the man who owns the agistment property.

In the meantime I'm going to attempt to lunge him tomorrow morning for a bit before work. Wish me luck! lol.

Calliegirl654 · 1st July 2009, 11:52 PM

Quote:

Before that though I would try and get him through it slowly by lunging him for a few minutes then stopping before he tries to bolt and rewarding him with lots of pats. If this worked i would do it once or twice a day until he seemed absolutely fine with it. Then i would try and lunge him for longer... (Jumping termite)

I think thats a really good idea Jumping Termite!
I agree that it is good to lunge him for short amounts of time and reward him when he doesnt bolt. then gradually get longer.

Good luck!

rizza · 1st July 2009, 11:59 PM

I agree. I'm not lunging him for long before he does it. The first time he took off, he had a bit of a buck and i figured he was just letting off some steam, and a few minutes later he took off. Now I know the signs to look out for so i'll stop him before he gets to that stage. I just have to be careful with the timing, i figure if he starts bring silly and i stop him and give him cuddles he's gunna think that's good, so i have to try and stop him before he starts acting up at all. lol.

We'll get there