[mygirlmaggie]

I have been trying to figure out how to fix a lunging problem..never really addressed it before but then it just kinda came to me I really need to fix it. My mare lunges very well...will do it herself. She changes directions, gaits, and stops on a dime. The problem is when she changes directions she'll come right at me and zoom past me. I'm not sure how to correct it. I've smacked her with the whip which works for a bit but she does it again. I'm not sure why she feels it's important to cut the circle. I just worry because if she wanted to kick she'd nail me instantly. I know she wouldn't but I won't say never. So what could I do to correct this? I think I'm going about it wrong somehow. She respects me but I think at that moment she's trying to push her luck.

[meljean]

When you say she is lunging herself, you have no line/rope on her? If that is case, then you need to use one, as if she is doing it herself, then you don't figure in her mind as the person in charge.

If you are using line/rope, then work on making her come to a complete halt, and stand for count of 10/15 and then change directions at a walk. Vary the count, and then ask her to switch, turn or whatever term you use, or hand signal, and keep her at walk, then move up through gaits.

It could also be she is bored, how often and long do you do this? If she knows it, she may be getting aggravated that you keep doing same thing over and over, when she can do it. Kind of like every time you went in to work the boss has you go through orientation again. Or like at school, repeating every day 1+1=2, no matter how well you did it, you would have to do it again, even in 12th grade.

[JBandRio]

Start over. Ask her to stop at the end of the line. Stop - don't come to you, don't swing her hips out, just stop and continue facing the same direction.

Then ask her to turn around. If she starts walking to you, use your lunge whip to back her up to the end of the line, stop again, and continue the turnaround.

When she's turned, stop again. Each time you stop her, let her stand there for several seconds so that it is a movement in and of itself, not just a means to an end.

Once she's standing facing the other way, waiting for your next request, then ask her to walk off.

ONLY when this can be accomplished easily would you then move on to asking her to reverse while walking. If she starts coming to you, use your lunge whip to push her shoulders away while your new leading/line arm points in the new direction.

ONLY when you can do this easily at the walk would you move to asking her to do this at the trot, using the same procedures as above.

From there, if you want, and if you can keep things controlled, you can ask for this at the canter.

Just know that to reverse at the trot and canter, she has to come towards you *a little* - she has to make that teardrop shape to change direction.

If you get stuck at any point, go back to a short line so you can more readily reach her and more emphatically affect her. I start teaching this at close range - horse walking at the end of 9' or so, then I stop, switch rope/whip hands, lead with the new line hand, use my new whip hand to direct the horse's front end, and off we go. Lots of changes of direction on the short line, with me walking with the horse, really instills that it's a change of direction, not a "come here".

Then I let the line out longer and longer, and go from there.

[lovethemall]

I agree w/ meljean about having her come to a complete halt (using a lungeline) first, and not allowing her to turn inside & change directions w/o your permission first. She may have been trained to reverse on her own & might take some time for you to correct the problem. Say she is going counterclockwise, I would down transition to a walk, then ask her to whoa (line is in your left hand). If she listens when you ask her to whoa, great- but if not, you may need to be more forceful on your 2nd or 3rd request and give the line a quick tug- if she still will not whoa, might consider using a lungeline with a chain (make sure she's ok with the chain prior to trying this). She'll likely try turning in towards you to reverse, which is where the lunge whip in your right hand will come into play- move the lunge whip toward her shoulder if she starts turning in. Hopefully she'll move away from the whip and if she stands for a few seconds, praise her. I prefer to then gather my line while walking up to the horse and changing their direction myself, this should help prevent her from turning into you. Hope that all made sense & hope it helps- good luck!

[mygirlmaggie]

Thanks for the help guys! She's always on a line. I've free lunged her a few times and she does well. At that point she doesn't come in if I'm free lunging her..could it be too short of a line?? When I say lunges herself I mean with the rope on. I go out..have the whip and she knows right away what we're doing. She'll trot out and start while I'm getting ready. I do it about 15 minutes each time. I have to do it before I ride because she has a bad hock joint that is very stiff. If I don't lunge her to loosen it up then when I ride she walks very very stiffly. So I'm sure it's routine to her and she's probably very bored. I can understand that. I've tried setting up little jumps and what not and she absolutely avoids them. She won't do it. Tried trot poles but she doesn't pay attention to where she's going so she trips.