Beginning of Lunging in Round Pen (4)

Part 4 of a series (preparing the horse for lunging and/or ground driving) shows the clear transition from the leading positions (given in Part 1 and 3) into lunging.

Equipment is a halter, rope, whip and a round pen. The whip is used to cue the horse and to set distance (please see the whip series for more details).

I've had a lot of questions and comments about the older lunging series, so this new series was done to clarify how to move the horse in their training from leading to lunging.

The method that I am showing you with my horse subject in this video is the same one I used to teach the green filly, Z, in the previous videos:

* the horse is comfortable with the handler being at all positions (front, side and back).

* the horse is comfortable with the rope and the whip touching any part of their body.

* it's best if the horse knows the voice cues of walk, trot and whoa before attaching a line to the halter (this pre-work can be done at liberty in the round pen).

* the horse is encouraged to move calmly forward with the voice and a gentle whip cue. My whip cue is a raising of the whip, not a whip touch.

* if the horse is too close to you, use the tassel of the whip to gently touch the shoulder or rib cage. This asks them to increase their circle.

* Once the horse is consistently moving forward, gradually spool out the rope to increase the distance between you and your horse.

* If the horse becomes excited, drop down your own level of energy. Always adjust for your particular horse and throughout the session.

* if the horse moves out quickly, let them go with plenty of line. Then simply ask with body language for slower movement (shown on the video).

* horses can also be slowed in speed by spiraling them into a smaller circle (shown at the end of the video).

* I like to use the word EASSSSYYYY as a command for the horse to soften and not rush. I prefer it over the word SLOW because that word sounds too much like WHOA.

While our horse subject (9 year old TBXDutch Warmblood mare) already knows how to lunge, she can be overeactive and stiff when moving at trot. She is also more sensitive to pressure. Though alert, she is not spooky.

Remember, more excitable horses may react quite strongly. Be calm, have patience, don't get overly-enthusiastic with your body language with these horses. Let the horse learn that when they trot/canter off, they can be gently brought back down to where you want them (be sure to praise when they do so).

Horses' generally don't want to do more work then they need to :P Once your horse learns that you will accept calm walking over crazy cantering, they will be happy to comply. This works ONLY IF they are getting adequeate turnout and food that suits their amount of work.

Category:

Pets & Animals

Tags:

• horse
• lunging
• round
• pen
• roundpen