[Jenje!]

If it were me, I would teach him to ground-drive first. Then you can swap back and forth with your outings- actual hand-walking one day, ground-driving at the walk the next... and he'll actually be learning something that will benefit his under saddle training without needing to hold a good circle in his current condition.

Lunging is great too (I'm in the process of teaching my two year old to lunge and not in a roundpen, so it can definitely be done!), I just prefer to do both, and I think with your boy I would start with ground-driving. I have found over time that starting with ground-driving makes the transition to lunging much smoother, because by then they've got the confidence to move out and listen/function when you're not right beside them... something that people run into problems with a lot when their horses are beginning to lunge (wanting to come into the circle, crowding, or just being very insecure about the distance).

Good luck with him!

[ApacheWarrior<3]

Originally Posted by Jenje!

If it were me, I would teach him to ground-drive first. Then you can swap back and forth with your outings- actual hand-walking one day, ground-driving at the walk the next... and he'll actually be learning something that will benefit his under saddle training without needing to hold a good circle in his current condition.

Lunging is great too (I'm in the process of teaching my two year old to lunge and not in a roundpen, so it can definitely be done!), I just prefer to do both, and I think with your boy I would start with ground-driving. I have found over time that starting with ground-driving makes the transition to lunging much smoother, because by then they've got the confidence to move out and listen/function when you're not right beside them... something that people run into problems with a lot when their horses are beginning to lunge (wanting to come into the circle, crowding, or just being very insecure about the distance).


Good luck with him!

Yes, he is insecure about moving away from me. I never thought about ground driving first, but it is a good idea....I'll try that next week.

rageandglory-
Thanks!

[Heavenly Jumper]

I had to teach my 10 year old mare to lunge from the ground up! (no round pen) It can be done! She's going great...

If you'd like I can link you to my threads where I got all the wonderful tips that I used.



Here are my threads -

Adventures in lunging, Tiffany's chapter 1 *update*

Adventures in lunging, Chapter 2

Update on Tiffany's Lunging *3*

Lunging Tiffany *update 4 & 5 post 4*

Lunging Tiffany *update 6* Pics and Vid

[rageandglory]

those that are more utilitarian in their goals for their horses might disagree but i believe a horse KNOWS when he's been rescued. dogs certainly do, and the return is tenfold to those who make the effort.

you are most welcome : )

[ApacheWarrior<3]

Originally Posted by Heavenly Jumper

I had to teach my 10 year old mare to lunge from the ground up! (no round pen) It can be done! She's going great...

If you'd like I can link you to my threads where I got all the wonderful tips that I used.



Here are my threads -

Adventures in lunging, Tiffany's chapter 1 *update*

Adventures in lunging, Chapter 2

Update on Tiffany's Lunging *3*

Lunging Tiffany *update 4 & 5 post 4*

Lunging Tiffany *update 6* Pics and Vid

I love the purple!
Thanks for the links, too!

Originally Posted by rageandglory

those that are more utilitarian in their goals for their horses might disagree but i believe a horse KNOWS when he's been rescued. dogs certainly do, and the return is tenfold to those who make the effort.

you are most welcome : )

I agree. They do. I don't think that animals are as smart as we are, of course, but they do understand that much.

[rageandglory]

i think animals are much smarter than us hoomans ; ) they know how to get along, survive, co-habitate with all of nature without un-necessary tactics. have for eons, literally.

we humans are a work in progress, albeit slow.

[ApacheWarrior<3]

Originally Posted by rageandglory

i think animals are much smarter than us hoomans ; ) they know how to get along, survive, co-habitate with all of nature without un-necessary tactics. have for eons, literally.

we humans are a work in progress, albeit slow.

Oh, I agree with that much...