How to lunge your horse. Solve lunging problems with these easy-to-use exercises that will immediately improve your horse's softness and connection. No more pulling on the rope or getting drug around while lunging.
Dirt skiing was my first hobby before I found this video, so glad to have discovered this very informative video, my dirt skiing has been retired ever since this.
I have tried other methods on my huge powerful gelding and nothing has worked so far, but this is exactly what I was looking for. Your explanation about how he softens and your every step and reasoning is so helpful. I can't wait to apply your method to him!
I like how you explained how he was softening his body. It was helpful for you to show us that inside leg crossing over. I’ve never heard it explained that way(softening at the rib cage) but it makes much more sense now how to spot it! Thanks!
This is so great! I suspect this may be part of the answer that I am looking for for my big Percheron Mare, who has learned that she can just run through the chain when lungeing, or rope halter at Liberty. While she seems to have a great deal of respect for me, I think the drawing in is what she needs as she seems to lack confidence, even though her groundwork is superb aside from this issue (and that when I move the hip, she always tries to move past me - I'll be focussing on that more). Thanks so much!
Excellent video. I have a you h OTTB whom seems to tune me out and I feel him stiffen when he is asked to go forward so the softness is key to get the horse to respond similar to when you would be in their back. Such a great video. Groundwork is so vital to the key to the horses success when starting to train under saddle even from a previous career. Dirt skiing is not only not fun but is dangerous.
Hi! I have a 2 year old colt that I recently got. He has a great mind and a great start with ground manners and groundwork. The problem I have is that I’m short and he is extremely tall. I have an issue with blocking his head as he likes to turn in while asking his hind quarters to yield. Since he’s tall his head goes right over my hand and head. I can’t switch the stick to my left hand fast enough to block his head. Would backing him out of my space fix this issue?
Do these tips also apply to the canter? My colt does great at the walk and trot, and easily is sent out and stopped, but at the canter there is CONSTANT pressure on the rope, and he starts dragging me around. The bigger the circle I give him, the more he pulls away. Is there tips on how to combat this issue other than the bumping of the rope? Thank you for the informational video!
Yes, absolutely! Bumping the rope only works if your horse knows how to bring his shoulder toward you when he feels the pressure. If not, it's futile. Another thing I do when I first bring a horse to the canter online, is to do it in the corner of an arena, if available. I push them into the lope when they're between me and the wall. Then I only ask them to lope 2 or 3 strides before breaking them back down and drawing them toward me into a smaller circle. I'll repeat this process until the horse gets confident and soft.
My horse has always been more on the pushy/dominant side. When circling she is always looking to the outside, and will pull to the outside. If you pull her head in she faces completely towards you (I start with light bumping and increase pressure, but she never bends her neck). Ive worked on disengaging hindquarters and flexing her neck, but I can't seem to get her to bend otherwise. She likes to step in and push towards you with her shoulder, and I just don't know what I'm doing wrong😕
Thank you for this video! I am having trouble teaching one of my horses to send out and move in a circle. How do you teach that without making them scared of you and your rope/lunge whip?
@@Mustangsinfinity confident horses are fabulous for learning with! Don't be afraid to gradually apply as much pressure as necessary to get her to move her shoulder away and start lunging. Also, I would highly recommend using a stick/string instead of a lunge whip because of the kind of pressure that is applied. Whips can get make horses touchy and insecure much more quickly than a straight stick. Here's a video I did a while ago that should help with the process: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-04jkHfBDeZ4.html
Awesome video!! Do you happen to have any tips for lunging a horse who is constantly stuck in your pocket and gets angry when you try to move him out? I have been struggling with this for awhile.
Sorry for the late response. My suggestion is to go to the shoulder. Don't let his frustration deter you from gaining control of his feet. If you watch our other videos with the lunging exercise, you'll see how we always use our training stick to drive the shoulder away first. It will take some time and consistency for your horse to take you seriously, but that should fix your problem. Thanks!
