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Longeing

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Longeing
  • (okay correct my spelling if it's wrong...i always forget)
     
    Okay...so when I try to longe my horse he always want's to turn and face me, instead of moving in a circle....Does anyone have any pointers on how to stop him from doing that?
     
    Thanx,
    BL
  • Keep your eyes on his hind end and drive him from there.  Only look to his head when you want him to stop.  Everytime he turns in, don't look at him but keep driving him from the rear end.  You'll have to be quick about it, watch for signs he's going to turn in and catch him before he can.  He'll catch on after a while ':)'
  • danastark,
     
    okay! thanx for that tip, i'll definetely use it for when i longe him next.
     
    Thanx,
    BL
  • I would agree with Dana with the cavet that one should always be standing parallel with the horse's quarters.  Also, do you carry a whip whilst longing?  You should.  Not to beat on the horse with, of course.   However, one needs to provide impetus with more than just the voice.  Also, the lash should be longer than the cane in order that one might be able to reach the horse. 
     
    Sometimes it might require you to be tracing a smaller circle whilst longing.  Standing still doesn't work with some horses.  Also, it helps to be working is a smaller pen rather than a large arena.  The closeness of a small pen or Bull-pen is much more conducive to gyp-lining.
  • studeclunker,
     
    I do carry a sort-of-whip, it's not exactely a lungeing whip, more a 'stick' with a long rope, tho it's store bought and it works.
     
    Thanx,
    BL
  • A drop-lashed whip is fine.  Just keep it behind the horse, if you know what I mean.  If you step ahead of the horse, or move the whip into a forward position, the horse will stop.  LOL, sometimes they just stop anyways.  That's why you are carrying the whip.   Also, don't harass the horse with the whip, use it to good purpose or not at all.  That is to say, don't threaten with it, use it.  If you do too much threatening and not enough disciplining, then the horse, like a child, will learn to ignore you.  Over use, abuse, the whip and the horse will hate you and fear the whip (an untennable situation).  
     
    If your whip is not of a quality that it is useful, buy a good one.  Stateline tack dot com has them for a reasonable price if none can be found locally.  Just remember, the lash must be at least as long as the cane (longer if you can get it).  Your whip for a horse should be six feet and four to five for a pony.  Anything else will just teach your horse bad habits.
     
    Forgive me if I've overstated the obvious.  My knowledge of your level of horsemanship is limited to this forum. 
  • A good way to remember your stance when facing the horse is to always point your belt buckle behind the girth. [':)']
    I use a training stick (stick w/a rope) but I don't do a ton of lunging.  B.O.R.I.N.G.  I usually get about 3 circles from them in each gait.
    I try not to turn with them either but let them come around behind me and maintain whatever gait I've put them in. 
    OH!  something really fun to try is to lunge them around the yard.  Like start lunging them in the back yard then, as they circle, move to the front yard, keeping them going.  That was fun.  Gets a little hairy at times! [':D']
     
  • [quote=hunterseat]
    ...I use a training stick (stick w/a rope) but I don't do a ton of lunging.  B.O.R.I.N.G...

     
    LOL, yes well that's usually the horse's opinion too!

     
  • studeclunker,
     
    thanx for that bit of advice. I had always thought you wanted to just threaten the horse, as in just slap the whip on the ground so they hear the sound. so maybe at times if he gets a bit stubborn i'll use it.
     
    thanx again!
    *BL
  • hunterseat,
     
    maybe i'll try the yard thing sometime! yes i do agree lunging is boring i like to RIDE my horses, so i really don't lunge, that was really because Buddy had an abscess so i couldn't ride him, tho now he's better YAY!
     
    Thanx
    BL