At 08:03:54 on 26.11.11, Walsy wrote:
Hi everyone! I've recently been helping with a New Forest x Cob 2.5 year old. He is very calm, and didn't have a great start to life. I've been trying to get him used to listening to me and also exerciser him a bit. I took him out to lunge and just can't get him going any faster than a walk. I tied a plastic bag to the end of the lunge whip and shook that around his hind quarters but her didn't blink an eye! If someone walks next to him and then starts running, he will trot, but as soon as that person pulls away he stops and turns in. Does anyone know how to get a slow horse going on the lunge?!

At 21:57:15 on 27.11.11, JessAndGrenville123 wrote:
I wouldn't try to get him to go faster with a plastic bag! One day he will see one on a hack and assume he has to go faster and run away from it lol bad idea, thats how bad habits start. Firstly i would say don't lunge regularly with a 2 and a half year old new forest, he will still be developing and maturing, lungeing is quite hard work for a horse so youngsters shouldn't be lunged too often. If you have a lunge pen take the line and whip away and use your body language to move him, square your shoulders and glare at him when you want him to go at a faster pace also use a verbal command like 'trot on' or click at him so he connects the two together, when you want him to slow down go passive with your body language, drop your shoulders, lower you head and say 'woah' so again he connects the word and action. You should be fine lol

At 07:40:15 on 29.11.11, Walsy wrote:
Haha I know probably not the best idea! I was trying to see how he'd react to it anyway so once I knew he wouldn't spook at it I put it down. I was only planning on getting him used to me and being told what to do, as he isn't very good with his manners- i've read that lunging is a good way to get horses to learn their manners by listening :P I did all of the body language, i've read "From birth to backing" which is very inspiring and I can see how it works with normal horses but this one will barely move! Slowing down and walking in to me is fine, he does join up perfectly and understands my body language- he just barely acts on it because he is so laid back! It's brilliant in a way, because when I start riding him I know he won't be too freaked out by things- but we want to make slow progress with him and get him used to moving with a roller on etc to get him used to the feel of it but he barely moves! I might try long reining instead- I'm not worried about how fast he goes, I just want him to get used to my voice commands and listening to me :)

At 07:51:53 on 29.11.11, Flicka wrote:
I agree with JessAndGrenville, be very careful lunging when a horse is so young. Lunging is actually really hard work and the centrifugal forces on an unbalanced horse lead to the horse twisting and can cause a sore back and put an uneven strain on different parts of the body. So maybe he knows what's best for him by staying at walk lol! I would learn how to long rein instead, you can do this in a headcollar and then with a bit. Long reining is much more beneficial and you will create good bond. You can also go on little hacks too, great exercise! Another good thing to do with youngsters is to put up obstacles in the school and then work on moving the horse (without rope or whip) with your energy and body language-getting them to move away from you and follow you-that creates a real bond. Make a box from ground poles and get them to walk into it and stand, put jump wings or drums up to form a gap or tunnel they have to walk through. Again just do it at walk and then work up to trot.

At 07:37:11 on 03.12.11, Walsy wrote:
Yeah I do agree that the lunging isn't the best for their back etc :P Yes he's doing brilliantly with long reining, it's just difficult to get him going. I will definitely do the box out of ground poles, that's a good idea :) I have walked him through gaps/over poles in the school and he just takes it all in his stride really. I am worried that his owner has been taking it all too fast with him though- she's been sitting on him and walking him up the track (when she's never been professionally taught to ride) and I think this will confuse him as he isn't even used to ground work yet! Hopefully she'll listen to what everyone is telling her and slow down. Thanks for your help!

At 20:49:50 on 04.12.11, FiestaFilly wrote:
Have you tried to do a join up with him yet?

At 20:05:27 on 05.12.11, Walsy wrote:
Yes I have, I used the right body language and he barely blinked an eye. Before I did it I did a lot of research on join up and read lots of books/watched many videos. Smartie just lifted his head up a bit and walked slightly if I really jumped at him. When he started chewing and locking his ear towards me, I used passive body language and he came towards me as I desired. I can find no way to get him moving. I don't personally believe in the use of whips (the crack of a lunge whip behind him to me is fine, of course) and hitting because that same hand that one day hits him will be the hand that goes up to put his first bridle on etc. Is there any advice you could give me?

At 02:03:20 on 09.12.11, ruthG wrote:
Lunging some horses can be very hard work,,, mine will walk around only then come to me and give me cuddles,,, so not very sucessful,,, also the hurt look when using a lunge whip is not worth it as she has been abused in the past..

At 07:25:34 on 10.12.11, Walsy wrote:
Yes, maybe I should just accept that he won't be lunging any time soon! :P Smartie was never abused (I don't think) but was never fed, and if he was it was in very large quantities at once. He has a real obsession with food and hogs it so gets choke a LOT :/ Thanks for all your help everyone!