Longing- my horse won't go

[NewHorseMom]

Hi All,

I need help longing my horse. He doesn't get the idea. I don't know if it's because he doesn't know how to longe, or if it's me because I am new to this. When I try to get him to move out on a circle, he just turns and faces me. If I swing the whip at him, he just backs up. A couple of times, he has sort of run at me a little aggressively. I think we are both frustrated and need some advice.

Thanks!

[peppysan]

Hi there,
Do you know for sure if your horse already knows how to lunge? Where and how are you standing when you lunge? Make sure you are standing so your body is positioned facing his hind quarters, and the tip of your whip is aiming slightly behind his hind quaters. If you are standing facing his front end or his shoulder, you are giving him conflicting signals with your body and the whip. It's like telling him to go and stop at the same times. So now, if you are moving him to the left, look in the direction you want him to go, and reach out with your left hand in the same direction. Then, raise your right hand with the whip and give him a tap. Once he moves off, lower your left hand right away. If the horse comes in towards you, swing the handle of the whip towards his muzzel, make him move back out to the line of the circle. If he already knows how to lunge, and is just confused or taking advantage of you then this excersise should help. If he does not already know how, then get someone with a lot of expercience to come and help you and make sure you stay on the right path with this. Good luck!

[NewHorseMom]

Thanks for your kind reply. He does know how to longe, or at least they told me he longes when I bought him. It totally makes sense what you are saying about where I am standing. I am honestly not even aware of where I am standing when I am longing. I *think* I am in the correct spot but who knows because I am so busy thinking about the horse, the line, the whip... I am going to go out there tonight and give it a try and make a real concious effort to aim my self more at his hind end and open up his front end so he feels he has a place to go.

thanks again i will let you know how it goes!

[NewHorseMom]

Things are going considerably better now. I am trying to be more clear of what I am asking of him, and being more aware of my own body positioning in relation to his. He seems to understand this so I am hoping that that is what the problem was/is... I am also being more assertive in general and it seems to make a difference in his attitude as well. I will keep updating on the progress.

[horse99]

That's great to hear! Glad you are able to sort this out.

[ThisOnesWild]

Try using a roundpen they naturally want to go around, and you can do it without a lunge line as well!!