[ApacheWarrior<3]

I rescued a Paint gelding 3 weeks ago from a woman who was starving him. He is 23 years old, and has not been ridden in a year. I do not think that he has ever been lunged.

He was ridiculously thin when we rescued him and had minimal muscle. After 3 weeks, you can still count every rib, and his hips and spine poke out...but he's coming along.

Anyway, I'm going to wait another 6 weeks or so before I attempt to ride him. Until then, can I teach him to lunge? I tried it today just to see what he would do, and he just looked at me like he didn't know what to do. I managed to get him to pick up a trot, and he started to get the hang of it then, but it's still a little tricky to get him to do even that.

So, if it is possible, how?

[Anxious1]

This is what I did and I am not sure if others will agree but it worked for me in two sessions.

Our new boy is 10 so not quite the same age. Went into the round pen and I took a lead line and my longe whip and stepped out to the end of the line and then ran the whip all over him while he was at a standstill to desensitize and I do this with every session.

I then gently clucked and said walk on when he tried to come into me I stepped further out and I then began to turn and lead him in a circle about 6 feet out.

It took a couple of sessions but he got it quickly and is now w/t, we have not cantered yet and that will come in a couple of weeks.

Every now and then he does stop but with the cluck he moves again so I know he gets it. Good luck!

[ApacheWarrior<3]

Originally Posted by Anxious1

This is what I did and I am not sure if others will agree but it worked for me in two sessions.

Our new boy is 10 so not quite the same age. Went into the round pen and I took a lead line and my longe whip and stepped out to the end of the line and then ran the whip all over him while he was at a standstill to desensitize and I do this with every session.

I then gently clucked and said walk on when he tried to come into me I stepped further out and I then began to turn and lead him in a circle about 6 feet out.

It took a couple of sessions but he got it quickly and is now w/t, we have not cantered yet and that will come in a couple of weeks.

Every now and then he does stop but with the cluck he moves again so I know he gets it. Good luck!

I desensitize every time, too.

I don't have a round pen, though. My neighbor does, and he would probably use it, but I'd only ask if I had to. Is it needed? I mean, it might be a little harder, but can I teach him to lunge with just a lunge line and lunge whip?

[rageandglory]

absolutely. horses have been taught to longe for years, long before round pens were even an idea.

[ApacheWarrior<3]

Originally Posted by rageandglory

absolutely. horses have been taught to longe for years, long before round pens were even an idea.

That's what I thought. Thanks.

[Anxious1]

I agree and I just use the round pen because it is convenient and I am also working on some other things with him too. He has been sitting for 2 years so the round pen is a safety for me until I get him figured out.

You can certainly do the same moves outside of the round pen.

[ApacheWarrior<3]

Originally Posted by Anxious1

I agree and I just use the round pen because it is convenient and I am also working on some other things with him too. He has been sitting for 2 years so the round pen is a safety for me until I get him figured out.

You can certainly do the same moves outside of the round pen.

Thanks.

[rageandglory]

if the good ol' boy is truly debilitated, along with some age, weight gain should be a slow process anyway. he might not have the oomph to longe just yet. hand walking and time spent in massage, grooming and affection will be pretty effective, too. he might not have seen much of that, either.

kudos to you for taking him on and giving it your best : )

[ApacheWarrior<3]

Originally Posted by rageandglory

if the good ol' boy is truly debilitated, along with some age, weight gain should be a slow process anyway. he might not have the oomph to longe just yet. hand walking and time spent in massage, grooming and affection will be pretty effective, too. he might not have seen much of that, either.

kudos to you for taking him on and giving it your best : )

Oh, I know. Longeing right now = two laps at a trot just to get the idea.

I take him out 3-4 times a week to groom, love on and just walk/trot in hand around our property. He loves just walking around for the h.eck of it.

And taking him on has been great. We've had him for 2 weeks now, and you can see a slight change. He's such a cuddler, too.

[rageandglory]

enjoy the journey : )