Lunging Problems

[LovesDubs]

Hi! I'm really struggling with my 16.3 TB x ID gelding. He is 16 and has been out of work for 2 years. I'm trying to bring him back into work and have started to lunge him. He goes fine on the right reign but when I change reign he keeps turning in on me. I know he has lunged well in the past for his previous owner. Any advice welcomed. Thanks

[Kaliska]

Start on small circles and use your body language and whip to keep him out. Have you had him checked medically to ensure there is no reason he would struggle on one rein?

[LovesDubs]

Hi - thanks for replying.

His back and saddle fit are fine. The saddle was re-flocked around 6 months ago. I have booked a dental check for the end of the month. I have had him for 8 years and he has always struggled on one rein. I have tried keeping him on a small circle and the whip doesn't seem to keep him out to be honest.

[Kaliska]

Can you have someone walk with him on the rein he struggles with for a bit and then gradually phase them out?

Or try free-schooling and see if he is still poor on that rein...

[Expert_LizPitman]

I'd suggest 2 things. Firstly, if you haven't already I'd get him checked by a physio. They might be able to spot an area that is blocking him. They may well also suggest carrot stretches, which are a good idea for most horses anyway, to start stretching muscles and help bend.

I'd then, if you can, move from lunging to longlining, so working on 2 lines. Not only is this a very versatile and fun way of working, it also has several benefits (in my opinion) over lunging. One of them is that you can control direction a lot more easily, and another is that you can work in straight lines, then start to incorporate some bending gradually before you move onto circles. In other words, you can teach him how to do a circle on the left rein. As he find that hard, you can also do just one circle, then back to going large, then another circle, then relax, then build up. Doing repeated circles, especially for a horse who has been out of work, is hard - he may well find longlining easier to do.

[Expert_JohnJones]

Hi,
Thank you for your question I agree with Liz that getting your horse physically checked by a qualified physio will really help you. They will be able to help you with any tight spots on your horse and give you exercises to do with him to help him become more supple and flexible on his hard rein. Pole work in hand and getting him to flex his head whilst standing still to each side will help (a carrot usually helps giving them an extra incentive to stretch!). Avoid over working muscles so include hacking out and riding in circles of varying sizes in a larger space than a school. Avoid steeping back when lunging as you may be drawing him to you on that rein. Walk forward leading your horse in the direction you want him to go increasing the circle size to make it easier for him. Only ask for one or two circles on each rein. Feel free to post more questions with more info I can help you further. I look forward to hearing your progress.
Best Wishes
John
www.horselistener.co.uk