Turning a horse when groundworking...

Skinfaxi · 04-14-2006, 08:19 PM

I have noticed that there is a split view on which way a horse should turn to change direction when lungeing/round penning/free. Some say they should turn toward the handler and some say they should turn away.

What are your reasons for choosing your prefered direction?

Here is mine to kick it off:

I ask the horse to stay parallel until I ask for the direction change. When the change is made I want them to turn toward me. I do this because I feel that it is more respectful than turning thier butt to me. Horses turn thier butts to each other when deliberately ignoring each other and when being defensive. Also when the horse turns away, it is an opportunity to for distraction. I know the fear in turning the horse toward the handler is that the horse may see it as an invitation to be dominant. IMO though as long as the turn is asked for by me and he doesn't step toward me, it is just me controling his shoulder, and a good early shoulder yielding tool.

Anyone have other reasons for what they do?

cowgurly02 · 04-14-2006, 08:26 PM

I use John Lyon's round pen reasoning when I do round pen work with my horse. I like to turn them BOTH ways. And get the horse to turn the way I ask them too. After a session or two, the horse should be able to turn either way you ask them too

EquineJessie · 04-14-2006, 09:31 PM

either way works. I have one filly that when turning to the outside tries to kick you. Most of the other horse when turning to the outside do it out of respect. Before if my colt turned to the inside it was cuz he wanted a peice of me... Depends on the horse but if you're serious about getting round penning solid, the horse should go both ways...

reiner girl · 04-15-2006, 03:47 AM

i like the jonh lyons too and yeah i agree with all above my colt goes both ways GOOD LUCK

cassidy · 04-15-2006, 03:52 AM

a horse should be abe to do both

bakinthsaddle · 04-15-2006, 07:06 PM

Originally John Lyons taught to have them continue forward until they turned inward. Apparently that has changed, haven't followed him in a while. I have done both, seemed to get to "join-up " quicker when they turned inward but the timing is soooooooooooooooooooooo critical with this (i feel), maybe because you have to be so quick about your reading and cues, it is more physical for the trainer (I think).

belle4 · 04-16-2006, 01:11 AM

A horse should learn to turn to the inside AND the outside, depending on the handlers body language.

freedom32 · 04-16-2006, 01:37 AM

When round penning, both ways. On the lunge line, towards me. This way the line doesn't get caught over the head.

04-14-2006, 08:19 PM	#1
Skinfaxi Full Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: USA, Illinois. Still too wet/dry Posts: 242 Images: 2	Turning a horse when groundworking... I have noticed that there is a split view on which way a horse should turn to change direction when lungeing/round penning/free. Some say they should turn toward the handler and some say they should turn away. What are your reasons for choosing your prefered direction? Here is mine to kick it off: I ask the horse to stay parallel until I ask for the direction change. When the change is made I want them to turn toward me. I do this because I feel that it is more respectful than turning thier butt to me. Horses turn thier butts to each other when deliberately ignoring each other and when being defensive. Also when the horse turns away, it is an opportunity to for distraction. I know the fear in turning the horse toward the handler is that the horse may see it as an invitation to be dominant. IMO though as long as the turn is asked for by me and he doesn't step toward me, it is just me controling his shoulder, and a good early shoulder yielding tool. Anyone have other reasons for what they do? __________________ No matter how much the cats fight, there always seem to be plenty of kittens. - Abraham Lincoln

04-14-2006, 08:26 PM	#2
cowgurly02 Senior Member+ Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Alberta, Canada Posts: 9,496 Images: 237 Blog Entries: 361	I use John Lyon's round pen reasoning when I do round pen work with my horse. I like to turn them BOTH ways. And get the horse to turn the way I ask them too. After a session or two, the horse should be able to turn either way you ask them too __________________ "I'm pretty sure there's a lot more to life than being really, really, ridiculously good looking. And I plan on finding out what that is." - Zoolander

04-15-2006, 03:47 AM	#4
reiner girl Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: with my horses Posts: 3,137 Images: 11	i like the jonh lyons too and yeah i agree with all above my colt goes both ways GOOD LUCK __________________ They can turn on a dime and toss ya back 15 cents, the American Quarter Horse Mr.Bee Hollywood

04-15-2006, 03:52 AM	#5
cassidy Senior Member+ Join Date: May 2004 Location: england - its sunny sometimes honest! Posts: 21,413 Images: 815	a horse should be abe to do both __________________ May your life be like toilet paper - Long and useful A horse doesn't care how much you know until he knows how much you care. - Pat Parelli http://www.freewebs.com/linz88055/myprofile.htm

04-16-2006, 01:37 AM	#8
freedom32 Senior Member+ Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Capital of the Steeler Nation--PITTSBURGH Posts: 8,010 Images: 427 Blog Entries: 144	When round penning, both ways. On the lunge line, towards me. This way the line doesn't get caught over the head. __________________ Pittsburgh gals bleed black & gold ~originally posted by JBandRio~ she's out there grazing and pooping and napping and biting her buddy's butt

04-14-2006, 09:31 PM	#3
EquineJessie Senior Member+ Join Date: May 2005 Location: Central Coast, CA Posts: 1,565 Images: 276	either way works. I have one filly that when turning to the outside tries to kick you. Most of the other horse when turning to the outside do it out of respect. Before if my colt turned to the inside it was cuz he wanted a peice of me... Depends on the horse but if you're serious about getting round penning solid, the horse should go both ways...

04-15-2006, 07:06 PM	#6
bakinthsaddle Full Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Indiana Posts: 108 Images: 5	Originally John Lyons taught to have them continue forward until they turned inward. Apparently that has changed, haven't followed him in a while. I have done both, seemed to get to "join-up " quicker when they turned inward but the timing is soooooooooooooooooooooo critical with this (i feel), maybe because you have to be so quick about your reading and cues, it is more physical for the trainer (I think).

04-16-2006, 01:11 AM	#7
belle4 Senior Moderator Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 8,830 Images: 417	A horse should learn to turn to the inside AND the outside, depending on the handlers body language.

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