lounging my 6 year old horse - Western Training & Behavior - Western Training & Behavior - Horse Community, Horse Pictures, Horse Forum and Information

Posted : 7/7/2009 3:34:18 AM

Hi,
I was working with my horse, i was just louning him with a loung line, then i decited to take his halter AND lead rope off. He stood, then i walked out from away from him and he stood there, then i went to his hind quarters and asked him to walk on. He started walking, but he was actually lounging without the lead rope or halter. Then i asked him to trot and once i asked him he went right into, and was still going in the circular motion. We weren't in a round pen or anything, it was more like an outdoor arena, but bigger. Also my other two horses were with us since we were just in the field. So yeah i couldn't believe it, i was really happy that he was listening to me even when i had like no control of him!
Also while we were lounging when i asked him to halt he stopped and looked at me (this was when we were free lounging) but when he was looking at me he did a bow. Not one that he like knelled down or anything but he just put his head down, and then up. But he was still looking at me. Isn't that a bow of respect or something? I heard the trainer on one of the horse.com horse training videos.
I just thought that i would just tell my great story lol, does this mean that my horse is listening to me? or does it mean something else..by him not running away with all of the other horses while lounging? Not sure. but the other horses were like not eating or anything, they were walking around.
Sorry for writing soo much.
thanks.

AllieBaba

Posted : 7/7/2009 9:44:31 AM

It means he didn't realize he could run off. Not a strategic move to try it with other horses in the area, because once he does it, you are going to have to backtrack with your training.

chelsea03

Posted : 7/7/2009 1:29:23 PM

Yes he knew that he could run off, he knew right away when i took the halter off since when I let him back out with the horses i take the halter off..
He won't have "training issues" if he runs off one time, i can easily put the halter and lounge line back on and do it that way, it was just something to try.
I couldn't take the other horses away, i have one huge area that the horses stay so i couldn't get them away.
:/

Luckintheshadows

Posted : 7/7/2009 5:48:51 PM

If you've been lunging and using voice commands with your horse for a long time, then yes, he probably knows what to do. And even though he knew he could run off, he probably thought you were still working. I've seen this happen before, I think in some ways it's a kind of join up. The horse accepting you and the like. As for the bowing thing, I couldn't really say.
Whatever the reason though, it's always awesome when something like what you've experienced happens ':)'

chelsea03

Posted : 7/8/2009 3:29:02 AM

Yes i have been lounging my horse for a long time. I just wented to try something new, and i do remember watching a video on youtube of a horse that was doing that.
And about the bowing, the video of the training on horse.com i watched the video of "hard to catch" and you can see and hear him say that. My horse has been doing that A LOT to me lately. haha everytime i see him do that it really makes me feel good! ':P'

I just thought that i would tell my story and see what people thought, and right now it kind of seems like i am doing the wrong thing.. ':S'

...well from what the first post said.
Thanks ':)'

hunterseat

Posted : 7/9/2009 10:43:36 AM

Even if he doesn't make a perfect circle around you, you can still do some great free lunging in a pasture as long as you know the other horses. You focus your energy on HIM and if the others want to run along they can. But be consistant with your hand signals. What I do is hold the whip in one hand and, with the other hand,&nbsp ';p'

oint with my whole arm the direction to go. Zag is great at it and enjoys running around. When I switch hands he goes the other way. Body position has alot to do with it, too.

When he looks you square in the eye (with both of his eyes) LET OFF THE PRESSURE. Just drop both hands and stand there. You might do a "call in" hand gesture (pick one) and I turn my body to I'm not directly facing Zag. When Zag is tired of moving he faces me and I call him in. It's great when I go to catch him and he's being a stinker. I just point my arm and sometimes he decides to just come right to me. [ ':)'

] Because I'm consistant and he knows I'll make him move as long as he isn't coming in to me! It usually doesn't take too long. [ ':D'

]
I don't think you did anything wrong and I have to agree, halter off.... freedom. Your horse enjoys your company!

chelsea03

Posted : 7/9/2009 5:37:44 PM

wow it sounds like your horse really loves you ':)'

yeah when i have been lounging him like that he does really be circles but he still has the one ear on me. I am glad you say that i am not do anything wrong.
thanks so much, and it sounds like you are doing great with your horse! ':D'