I love the fact you don't have her racing around like an idiot. People do this and then say, my horse is hot. Well yeah, you haven't taught them to be calm. Nice video. Thanks🌷
What I really liked about your style is most people feel the NEED to make the horse go FAST as opposed to your skills which are all about quiet clear communication... Good stuff sir...
This is the method I use, I was looking for other methods but I honestly think this is the way to go. I’m starting my new horse tomorrow and she is older with less experience.
Thanks for this video. I will have a new yearling in a few months and when it's time to lunge him I will use your technique. I love the steady what you go through all the motions. In my mind this is a perfect way to start lunging a youngster.
I love how you don't push the horse to its limits every training session, like most people. I ride English, but I like to train my younger horses using the 'natural' horsemanship method as I think it helps create a more reliable horse in the long run. Thanks for making such an easy to follow video!
This. exactly. This is how I do it. I'm even taking enough to time to experiment with stuff....to see how she and I like it. It's fun, like going to have lunch with your kid at school....! I LOVE IT!
Dale, this is the best advice for starting lunging that I have ever seen! I have an extremely high-tension "gelding" mustang who bolts at any sign of pressure and I have had a lot of trouble transitioning him from leading to "sending": He spooks and runs off every time (I don't have a roundpen). He leads extremely well but he reacts very badly to "sending" him and becomes dangerously scared and distrustful - he seems to think I am trying to run him off. I think your calm methodology that you show here is exactly what he needs and I started today with working with him as you show here. I'm certain that this will work for him. THANK YOU!!
Safety comment: Loops & Horses don't go together. Monty Roberts lost a finger from a bolting horse on a lunge line. I like the way you used the rail to start. Great idea!
This was fantastic!! My horse just arrived yesterday and I'm new to riding. She's well trained but that does not mean I am! I'm going to take my phone to refer back to and take it one step at a time today. So glad I found this. You broke it down so well for me, and gently for the horse. Thank you!
Your horse looks like a good girl. I know with my horse, and experience with lunging him, that if I were to walk backwards into the center of the round pen the way you do several times, he would come in to me. Aside from that, you have a quiet and calm manner and I liked this video.
+Nora Ramos Glad you like the mare Nora. She was a customer's horse. It's great if your horse draws to you when you back up if that is your desired result. However, in the video I wanted the mare to remain along the wall. Glad you liked the video
This will work great with my yearling filly. She does not do well with rough training that most have told me to do. Thank you for great advice and a gentle method.
I'm at this point with my mare, a 6-yr old gaited tobiano, and your style seems exactly similar to how I operate. Yours are my favorite along with one other "liberty training" expert. Thanks for your videos, man. Good stuff.
Thanks so much! I can't wait to try this. All the other people seem to try to start super quick and I did too but it wasn't working well. Im sure my mare will respond well to this!
That’s pretty good. At first you’re in front of her driveline leading her instead of lunging to get her used to the control you have over her. Great work!
I have watched dozens of videos of trainers lunging... but this is the first one that did not rely on cracking the whip! I have had difficulty getting my colt to change directions... this is the first video that showed the process before that stage. My gut had been to lead him to show him what I wanted, but no other video showed that happening... Thank you for showing all the details.
Hi Marlana- Thanks for your comments. We hope you'll check out our newest video "Lungeing- Transitioniiong From Round-Pen to Arena". In it I talk about lungeing a horse without a round-pen. I also suggest you watch our first video "How to Lead a Horse". I find that if I teach a horse how to lead as described in the video, it helps me a lot when I begin to teach them how to lunge. Best of luck with your training endeavors!
HELP Glad i found you... my first horse ever and she's green only halter but i feel am much greener, need all the help i can get and your way is the best for me to understand and able to follow .. any advice would be so appreciated.. Thank's million ... bless ya
I'm just trying to find some videos on lunging cause my riding instructor said I could start lunging the horse I just started Barrel racing with in the round pen to get any extra energy and any bucking jitters out so he doesn't try to keep going faster or buck when I ride cause he always tries to go faster without being asked, but I understand why he does it when we're practicing barrels because he knows the pattern and that you're supposed to go fast but since it's my first time barrel racing I want to start at a walk and slowly work my up to going into a gallop on barrels. I've also never galloped before so I'm kinda nervous about that too, I think your video on lunging would help a lot, and beautiful mare by the way.
Our newest video 'Transitioning from Round-Pen to Arena' should be helpful to you DeAnna. I would also suggest that you watch our first video on how to lead a horse. If you teach a horse how to lead as described in the video, it will help a lot when you start to lunge him. Like you, I at times have been without access to a round pen and have started a horse lungeing in the arena. Just take things a little slower and you should be fine.
Hi my horse won’t go on the lunge (his first time) he isn’t afraid of anything at all including a whip. so how can I make him move? I can’t get him trotting at all he will walk (only just) even when I’m just walking him and I try to run with him he just won’t trot. Thank you :)
One thing I noticed that you were doing wrong in this video was you were letting the line drag on the ground. That can be very dangerous because the horse could step on the line and get tangled up in it, especially if they got spooked. Other than that I really liked this video and I will have to use some of these tips to lunge my horse. :)
Great video your very gentle with her. I have a young horse how knows how to lunge, but he on purpose turns in and walks on top of me . I'm not sure what to do any suggestions?
Hi Bell. It's always hard to offer advice without being able to see the problem, try to get your horse leading like we demonstrate in our video on leading, and then teach your horse to lunge by gradually increasing the length of lungeline between you and him. Don't allow him to walk on top of you. Back him off with tugs on your leadrope or lungeline. If he starts to come toward you while lungeing, stop him and put him back on the outside of the circle before continuing. Hope this helps
Is your horse a Paso Fino, by chance? Mine has all the same coloring! Yours is gorgeous! We just got ours, she is a bit muddy and hair is long at the moment. I can’t wait for it to warm up so I can groom her! We live in Northern Indiana. Our mare is not nearly as well behaved, either. Not sure what she endured before coming to us, but she is worth the time and effort to train and love.
I recently got the chance to work with a mare who has been saddled, bridled and rode one time. I would like to really work with her in the round pen before I get on her myself. Although I don't think this method will work on this mare. Could you give me any advice of other ways to work her. I want her to be a good horse with good training I just don't know how too. Could you help me out and give me a fee pointers? Thanks very much great video!
Katie Hogue Hi Katie; thanks for your comments and question. Yes, there are lots of other things you can do as far as groundwork and we hope to be adding some videos on that subject in the future. I'm pretty sure the methods in the video would work on your mare. I use basically the same methods on everything I ride. Of course you have to adapt to each horse. For example, a sluggish horse might require stronger cues while a flighty horse would require more careful handling. It's always difficult for a person with minimal experience to start a young, green horse. (and frankly, it's usually not a very good idea) It's hard to explain everything on paper or even in a video as there is a lot of 'filling in the blanks that is required'. I think our video on leading, and also the one on groundwork for the leg yield, turn on the hindquarters, and turn on the forehand should be helpful in gaining more control of your horse. While you are lungeing, be content with small improvements. If your mare is overly rambunctious you can free lunge her with nothing on her head and get the edge off her before you start working her. This will help get any silliness out of her and put her in a more learning frame of mind. Lastly, I always advise people who might not have a whole lot of experience to think about getting a professional with a good reputation to start their horse.
I'll say the word 'whoa' and pick up on my lunge line. I start teaching them to respond in this way when I'm teaching them to lead. (you can check out our video on leading) From there, I'll gradually start to walk farther and farther away from them and repeat my cues- raising my hand and saying whoa. If they get confused I'll walk toward them a little and try my cues again. At times I will send some slack down the lunge line causing the halter to bump on their nose. I might also go back to my leading position and bump them on the nose a few times to reinforce the 'whoa'. Hope this helps
Hi Nicole- we talk about that a little in our video "Lungeing- Transitioning from Round-Pen to Arena". If you still have questions after viewing it (the video), let us know and we'll try to answer any questions you might have
my horse doesnt ever want to back up. I've done all sorts of things like teaching from the ground then using the command in the saddle. Ive taught the command from the ground using the bridle, i've also tried being on him and having someone push him back while i use the command for riding but nothing has worked. Any suggestions?
My horse was the same way. Start on the ground. I started using treats and making him follow the treat to his chest until he moved back with his feet even if it wasn't a whole step. Any backward movement I rewarded him for. I also tapped on his front hooves, shook the lead, and walked into him. Just try things that cause a reaction and then reward for the backward movement. After that I could make him walk backwards for as long as I wanted. In the saddle was more difficult. He turned his head to his side to keep me from pulling straight back on the reins. One thing I realized I was doing wrong was I was pulling back instead of lightly jerking. I also found that pulling the reins back toward my hips rather than higher up towards my stomach helped too. I had to switch to a snaffle bit as well. Use your legs and give him pressure to tell him to move and jerk softly backwards to prevent him from moving forward. Keep the pressure and use your heels if he still doesn't respond. If you signal him to go but keep him from going forward his only option is backwards. If anything else you might try a snaffle hackamore combo bit that has a hard rope nose.
nice video. I have a horse that someone trained only on one side. lol he does everything on his left, go to the right side and he acts like he's never lunged before. I'm trying your style, but he keeps coming towards me, and almost spins to be directly in front of me.
Glad you like the video Delicia. I'm pretty sure if you keep persisting with your horse, he'll get it after a while. I suggest you get him leading good on his right side, and then transition to lungeing him. The first video we put on CZcams is about leading. Hope that helps you.
Dale Fredricks I am having the same problem with an exmoor. He's so in tune to my shoulder, he's leg yielding to get to me..and of course i have no round pen. I will try using the butt end of the whip. He's the kind of pony who will get mildly aggressive if you "show to much whip" so to speak. This is when lunging him from his Left side and yes, he leads perfectly from his right side as well.
Yep, you might want to watch our video on "Lungeing- transitioning from round pen to arena". You can combine techiniques from both lungeing videos to get the results you want.
Im just watching this :) but im trying to teach my horse how to lunge and she either follows me when I back up or just turns her hindquarters and keeps her head towards me when I cluck and whirl the whip, she always faces me! any suggestions?
Well sis, you're just going to have to want her to "whoa" more than she wants to go! Don't be afraid to reprimand her by banging the halter on her nose, or poking her shoulder over with the butt end of your whip when she tries to face you. Horse training is often a struggle, and it doesn't happen overnight. It might be beneficial for you to watch our video on "Advanced Leading", as many of the cues can be transferred to lungeing. Once you've got her leading and stopping well on the halter rope, then watch the lungeing video again. Remember to gradually lengthen your lungeline- don't try to go right from halter rope to 30 ft of lungeline. Hope this helps; keep studying the videos, and keep trying with your horse. Sometimes you have to get a little tough with them to get through to them, and sometimes you need to back off and/ or take a slightly different approach. To be a good horseperson takes a lot ot trying and a lot of thinking. Good luck! if you get stuck again, holler back at us.
I recently got a new horse and I've had a lot of lunging experience. I took lessons to ONLY Learn how to lunge. My horse was taught to back up with your arm to the left and whip/ rope in the right. When I try to lunge him all he does is back up. Even free lunging in a round pen doesn't help.! Any tips? Thank you!
Abbster Amerson Hi Abbster- When lungeing a horse to the left, you should have the lunge line in your left hand and your lungeing whip in your right hand. When going to the right, your hands will play reversed roles.Your whip hand is to encourage forward motion and your lunge line hand to slow down or stop that motion. The first thing I would check is; where are you standing in relation to the horse's body to lunge? Even if you're 15 or 20 feet out on your lunge line, make sure you are standing more to the rear of the horse so that your body is positioned where you can encourage forward motion. (when lungeing to the left, move over to the right so you're more behind him) Cluck to your horse and crack your whip to try to get him to move forward. If that doesn't work the next step would be to cluck to him and flick him on the hindquarters with your whip. (don't stand close to the horse in case he kicks out) If that still doesn't work you might have to sting him a little w/ the whip- you have to do whatever it takes to get him moving forward. Get him to take a few steps and let him stop. Let him know you're pleased with him. Do that a few times and leave it at that for the day, then over the next few days work him up to making a round or two. Gradually increase the revolutions and also back off on the strength of your whip cues until you don't have to touch him w/ the whip anymore. Also try to keep your lunge-line hand as quiet as possible; don't wave it around or keep it high in the air, as the horse might think you're trying to stop him. Also check your halter or caveson or whatever you lunge in to make sure it's not to tight or causing him discomfort when he's doing what you want him to do. Thanks for your question, hope there's something in here that helps you.
Hi Dale, Everytime I ask for the whoa the horse stops then dips his nose & comes in towards me with his head low. Should I just reposition him to the outside of the arena again?
Hi Kate; Try lungeing your horse at a walk, keeping him close to the fence with you just a few feet out on the lunge line. Ask him to stop and when he tries to come toward you, push his shoulder with the butt of your lunge whip. If he gets concerned or confused, stop him and use a combination of your halter and whip butt to move him back over to the fence. Make him stand for a few seconds and if he starts to come back to you, just stop him and reposition him again. After several days he should be getting the idea. You can then start going out farther on your lunge line, making sure you can stop him squarely before going out a little more. When he will do this at your lungeing distance you can try him at a trot, and then finally at a lope. Hope this helps............Dale ps: It might be good to review the videos on both leading and lungeing in case you missed something!
I too, she keeps coming to me, which is fine since I liberty-train her and she comes with me naturally. It's cool. No halter or lead line required. I put those things on only in the roundpen now. I'm trying to start her lunging, and so far all I can get is for her to walk all the way around. It requires patience.....and it's nothing you have to rush.
I say you should start breaking them around 2-3 and you should have a experienced person with you when you start since you are young for your first times unless the horse is dangerous which would mean at all times.
I know this is late. I would halter break at two start groundwork basics at 2-3 then introduce a saddle at 4 at this age focus on desensitizing him:her as much as possible
I just got my horse a couple of months ago.. She wont lunge for me but she will for my trainer.. But I got her going once and then when I try to she backs up.. Even free lunging doesn't help.. Any tips Dale?? Thanks!
+HayItsAnna and Dun It's kinda hard for me to give you a good answer Sis, without being able to see what's going on. Just going by what you said I think you'll probably have to chase her a little, maybe pop your lunge whip behind her and get her energy up. You might have to flick her on the rump with the whip. If you get her going, be happy with just a half a lap or a full lap, then get the same in the other direction and call it good for the day. The next day try to get her to go a little farther, and as she gets better you can ask her for more. Hope this helps
i lunge my horse without a whip is less scary for them and gives you more contact with your horse. Your horse will learn to listen to you and your body signals.
what a cruel jack you are, you should leave. Leave the horses alone. You have no business around these majestic animals. You could learn from Missy. Now you are teaching a 13 y.o. to use a whip on her horse.
Very refreshing to see you training. Other tutorials just slap the horses to get them to lounge.
Thanks Katelyn
That mare is so responsive and listens so well!
Thanks Tori
I love the fact you don't have her racing around like an idiot. People do this and then say, my horse is hot. Well yeah, you haven't taught them to be calm. Nice video. Thanks🌷
You're welcome Sea, thank you
What I really liked about your style is most people feel the NEED to make the horse go FAST as opposed to your skills which are all about quiet clear communication... Good stuff sir...
Thanks Gerry, that's real nice to hear coming from a horseman like you!
Dale Fredricks One day I hope he says that to me. lol 👍😉
This is the method I use, I was looking for other methods but I honestly think this is the way to go. I’m starting my new horse tomorrow and she is older with less experience.
thank you I have a rescue horse and we are starting on this now. this is so easy to follow.
We're glad it's been helpful to you Brenda!
Thanks for this video. I will have a new yearling in a few months and when it's time to lunge him I will use your technique. I love the steady what you go through all the motions. In my mind this is a perfect way to start lunging a youngster.
You're welcome. Glad you like the video! Good luck with your yearling.
Excellent video! This is how I learned to lunge my horse. It's amazing how quickly they catch on when you lead them correctly. Thanks!
You're welcome Pamela- glad you like it!
I love how you don't push the horse to its limits every training session, like most people. I ride English, but I like to train my younger horses using the 'natural' horsemanship method as I think it helps create a more reliable horse in the long run. Thanks for making such an easy to follow video!
Thanks ee. The horse doesn't know or care if he's English or Western! You're welcome.
This. exactly. This is how I do it. I'm even taking enough to time to experiment with stuff....to see how she and I like it. It's fun, like going to have lunch with your kid at school....!
I LOVE IT!
Dale Fredricks lo h
Dale, this is the best advice for starting lunging that I have ever seen! I have an extremely high-tension "gelding" mustang who bolts at any sign of pressure and I have had a lot of trouble transitioning him from leading to "sending": He spooks and runs off every time (I don't have a roundpen). He leads extremely well but he reacts very badly to "sending" him and becomes dangerously scared and distrustful - he seems to think I am trying to run him off. I think your calm methodology that you show here is exactly what he needs and I started today with working with him as you show here. I'm certain that this will work for him. THANK YOU!!
You're welcome Herb! Let us know how things go with your mustang.
Very calm and clear instruction. Thank you! This has helped me a lot.
You're welcome Bianca. Glad you found it useful.
Im so glad I cane across your videos...your so helpful with easy to follow instructions...Thank you
You're welcome Donna, glad you like them!
Never seen lunging talk this way I like it very nice
Thank you Tina
Safety comment: Loops & Horses don't go together. Monty Roberts lost a finger from a bolting horse on a lunge line. I like the way you used the rail to start. Great idea!
Dale... your video commentary is some of the best available.
Hey thanks DD- so glad you like it!
This was fantastic!! My horse just arrived yesterday and I'm new to riding. She's well trained but that does not mean I am! I'm going to take my phone to refer back to and take it one step at a time today. So glad I found this. You broke it down so well for me, and gently for the horse. Thank you!
You're welcome Ana- glad you're finding it helpful!
Hi Dale,, I just stumbled across your page,, and I love it!!! Nice job you do sir
Thanks Pamela- We're glad you found us!
Your horse looks like a good girl. I know with my horse, and experience with lunging him, that if I were to walk backwards into the center of the round pen the way you do several times, he would come in to me. Aside from that, you have a quiet and calm manner and I liked this video.
+Nora Ramos Glad you like the mare Nora. She was a customer's horse. It's great if your horse draws to you when you back up if that is your desired result. However, in the video I wanted the mare to remain along the wall. Glad you liked the video
Hi Dale, just came across your videos. I must say I really like your calm approach and easy to follow instructions.
Thanks, glad you like them and thanks for letting us know!
This will work great with my yearling filly. She does not do well with rough training that most have told me to do. Thank you for great advice and a gentle method.
Thea Potts You're welcome Thea, and good luck with your filly
I'm at this point with my mare, a 6-yr old gaited tobiano, and your style seems exactly similar to how I operate. Yours are my favorite along with one other "liberty training" expert. Thanks for your videos, man. Good stuff.
You're welcome Vee, glad you like them!
Very cool and collected a nice display of horse communication!
+Angela Elenbaas Thanks Angela- glad you like it!
Thanks so much! I can't wait to try this. All the other people seem to try to start super quick and I did too but it wasn't working well. Im sure my mare will respond well to this!
Glad to hear that you think it will help your mare Ellie; good luck!
Awesome very helpful video!! Thanks much!!
Thank you Dan!
Really easy to understand and very helpful!
Thanks, glad you like it
Excellent teaching!
Thank you Casuta!
very helpful video, thank you Dale
You're welcome Heather- glad you found it helpful.
That’s pretty good. At first you’re in front of her driveline leading her instead of lunging to get her used to the control you have over her. Great work!
Thanks Abbi
Dale Fredricks hey any time! You see idiots making videos on how to lunge and barely know horse behaviour! This was incredible!
Beautiful to watch. Learnt a lot from this video
Thanks Hera. So glad you like it
I love this sir your doing a really nice job !
Thanks Bekah
I have watched dozens of videos of trainers lunging... but this is the first one that did not rely on cracking the whip!
I have had difficulty getting my colt to change directions... this is the first video that showed the process before that stage.
My gut had been to lead him to show him what I wanted, but no other video showed that happening...
Thank you for showing all the details.
You're welcome Carole, glad you liked the video
Great video, well explained
Thank you Tracey- glad you like it!
This is so helpful thank you ❤❤❤
You're welcome!
:) ☺️
Finally i found a video that helps me with this :D thank you!
the only problem is that i dont have a round pen so its fun trying this without one. ill try it today! :D
Hi Marlana- Thanks for your comments. We hope you'll check out our newest video "Lungeing- Transitioniiong From Round-Pen to Arena". In it I talk about lungeing a horse without a round-pen. I also suggest you watch our first video "How to Lead a Horse". I find that if I teach a horse how to lead as described in the video, it helps me a lot when I begin to teach them how to lunge. Best of luck with your training endeavors!
Love the video, this will help me a TON training the mini pony I have to cart train for a friend :D
Thanks Adi; glad you've found it helpful!
This will prove useful I'm starting a colt soon and I'm restarting 4-7 year old but I don't have a round pen or access to one any advice?
HELP
Glad i found you... my first horse ever and she's green only halter but i feel am much greener, need all the help i can get and your way is the best for me to understand and able to follow .. any advice would be so appreciated..
Thank's million ... bless ya
Thanks Ana
She's a pretty girl!
I'm just trying to find some videos on lunging cause my riding instructor said I could start lunging the horse I just started Barrel racing with in the round pen to get any extra energy and any bucking jitters out so he doesn't try to keep going faster or buck when I ride cause he always tries to go faster without being asked, but I understand why he does it when we're practicing barrels because he knows the pattern and that you're supposed to go fast but since it's my first time barrel racing I want to start at a walk and slowly work my up to going into a gallop on barrels. I've also never galloped before so I'm kinda nervous about that too, I think your video on lunging would help a lot, and beautiful mare by the way.
Thanks April
Our newest video 'Transitioning from Round-Pen to Arena' should be helpful to you DeAnna. I would also suggest that you watch our first video on how to lead a horse. If you teach a horse how to lead as described in the video, it will help a lot when you start to lunge him. Like you, I at times have been without access to a round pen and have started a horse lungeing in the arena. Just take things a little slower and you should be fine.
Such a beautiful horse! Wauw!
Thanks XSindy-she's a customer's horse, and is now back with her owners
She is really beautiful :) I forgot to say, this is a good video! I learned much from this video!
Thanks so much- we're glad you like it
Hi my horse won’t go on the lunge (his first time) he isn’t afraid of anything at all including a whip. so how can I make him move? I can’t get him trotting at all he will walk (only just) even when I’m just walking him and I try to run with him he just won’t trot. Thank you :)
One thing I noticed that you were doing wrong in this video was you were letting the line drag on the ground. That can be very dangerous because the horse could step on the line and get tangled up in it, especially if they got spooked. Other than that I really liked this video and I will have to use some of these tips to lunge my horse. :)
Cool man it's good
Great video your very gentle with her. I have a young horse how knows how to lunge, but he on purpose turns in and walks on top of me . I'm not sure what to do any suggestions?
Hi Bell. It's always hard to offer advice without being able to see the problem, try to get your horse leading like we demonstrate in our video on leading, and then teach your horse to lunge by gradually increasing the length of lungeline between you and him. Don't allow him to walk on top of you. Back him off with tugs on your leadrope or lungeline. If he starts to come toward you while lungeing, stop him and put him back on the outside of the circle before continuing. Hope this helps
Is your horse a Paso Fino, by chance? Mine has all the same coloring! Yours is gorgeous! We just got ours, she is a bit muddy and hair is long at the moment. I can’t wait for it to warm up so I can groom her! We live in Northern Indiana. Our mare is not nearly as well behaved, either. Not sure what she endured before coming to us, but she is worth the time and effort to train and love.
No Adrianne, the mare in the video is an American Paint Horse. She belonged to a customer of ours. Best of luck with your mare!
I recently got the chance to work with a mare who has been saddled, bridled and rode one time. I would like to really work with her in the round pen before I get on her myself. Although I don't think this method will work on this mare. Could you give me any advice of other ways to work her. I want her to be a good horse with good training I just don't know how too. Could you help me out and give me a fee pointers? Thanks very much great video!
Katie Hogue Hi Katie; thanks for your comments and question. Yes, there are lots of other things you can do as far as groundwork and we hope to be adding some videos on that subject in the future. I'm pretty sure the methods in the video would work on your mare. I use basically the same methods on everything I ride. Of course you have to adapt to each horse. For example, a sluggish horse might require stronger cues while a flighty horse would require more careful handling. It's always difficult for a person with minimal experience to start a young, green horse. (and frankly, it's usually not a very good idea) It's hard to explain everything on paper or even in a video as there is a lot of 'filling in the blanks that is required'. I think our video on leading, and also the one on groundwork for the leg yield, turn on the hindquarters, and turn on the forehand should be helpful in gaining more control of your horse. While you are lungeing, be content with small improvements. If your mare is overly rambunctious you can free lunge her with nothing on her head and get the edge off her before you start working her. This will help get any silliness out of her and put her in a more learning frame of mind. Lastly, I always advise people who might not have a whole lot of experience to think about getting a professional with a good reputation to start their horse.
Hi Dale, what is the cue to back up on a lunge line?
Thx
I'll say the word 'whoa' and pick up on my lunge line. I start teaching them to respond in this way when I'm teaching them to lead. (you can check out our video on leading) From there, I'll gradually start to walk farther and farther away from them and repeat my cues- raising my hand and saying whoa. If they get confused I'll walk toward them a little and try my cues again. At times I will send some slack down the lunge line causing the halter to bump on their nose. I might also go back to my leading position and bump them on the nose a few times to reinforce the 'whoa'. Hope this helps
What is your approach for getting a horse to stop leaning on the lunge line at trot and canter when they are being lunged outside of a round pen?
Hi Nicole- we talk about that a little in our video "Lungeing- Transitioning from Round-Pen to Arena". If you still have questions after viewing it (the video), let us know and we'll try to answer any questions you might have
my horse doesnt ever want to back up. I've done all sorts of things like teaching from the ground then using the command in the saddle. Ive taught the command from the ground using the bridle, i've also tried being on him and having someone push him back while i use the command for riding but nothing has worked. Any suggestions?
My horse was the same way. Start on the ground. I started using treats and making him follow the treat to his chest until he moved back with his feet even if it wasn't a whole step. Any backward movement I rewarded him for. I also tapped on his front hooves, shook the lead, and walked into him. Just try things that cause a reaction and then reward for the backward movement. After that I could make him walk backwards for as long as I wanted. In the saddle was more difficult. He turned his head to his side to keep me from pulling straight back on the reins. One thing I realized I was doing wrong was I was pulling back instead of lightly jerking. I also found that pulling the reins back toward my hips rather than higher up towards my stomach helped too. I had to switch to a snaffle bit as well. Use your legs and give him pressure to tell him to move and jerk softly backwards to prevent him from moving forward. Keep the pressure and use your heels if he still doesn't respond. If you signal him to go but keep him from going forward his only option is backwards. If anything else you might try a snaffle hackamore combo bit that has a hard rope nose.
Does this work without a round pen?
Yes it does. Please check out our video 'Lungeing- Transitioning from Round-Pen to Arena'.
nice video. I have a horse that someone trained only on one side. lol he does everything on his left, go to the right side and he acts like he's never lunged before. I'm trying your style, but he keeps coming towards me, and almost spins to be directly in front of me.
Glad you like the video Delicia. I'm pretty sure if you keep persisting with your horse, he'll get it after a while. I suggest you get him leading good on his right side, and then transition to lungeing him. The first video we put on CZcams is about leading. Hope that helps you.
Dale Fredricks I am having the same problem with an exmoor. He's so in tune to my shoulder, he's leg yielding to get to me..and of course i have no round pen. I will try using the butt end of the whip. He's the kind of pony who will get mildly aggressive if you "show to much whip" so to speak. This is when lunging him from his Left side and yes, he leads perfectly from his right side as well.
will this still work if you don't have a round pen?
Yep, you might want to watch our video on "Lungeing- transitioning from round pen to arena". You can combine techiniques from both lungeing videos to get the results you want.
Thank. You. xD
Ramen Time You're welcome
Im just watching this :) but im trying to teach my horse how to lunge and she either follows me when I back up or just turns her hindquarters and keeps her head towards me when I cluck and whirl the whip, she always faces me! any suggestions?
Well sis, you're just going to have to want her to "whoa" more than she wants to go! Don't be afraid to reprimand her by banging the halter on her nose, or poking her shoulder over with the butt end of your whip when she tries to face you. Horse training is often a struggle, and it doesn't happen overnight. It might be beneficial for you to watch our video on "Advanced Leading", as many of the cues can be transferred to lungeing. Once you've got her leading and stopping well on the halter rope, then watch the lungeing video again. Remember to gradually lengthen your lungeline- don't try to go right from halter rope to 30 ft of lungeline. Hope this helps; keep studying the videos, and keep trying with your horse. Sometimes you have to get a little tough with them to get through to them, and sometimes you need to back off and/ or take a slightly different approach. To be a good horseperson takes a lot ot trying and a lot of thinking. Good luck! if you get stuck again, holler back at us.
I recently got a new horse and I've had a lot of lunging experience. I took lessons to ONLY Learn how to lunge. My horse was taught to back up with your arm to the left and whip/ rope in the right. When I try to lunge him all he does is back up. Even free lunging in a round pen doesn't help.! Any tips? Thank you!
Abbster Amerson Hi Abbster- When lungeing a horse to the left, you should have the lunge line in your left hand and your lungeing whip in your right hand. When going to the right, your hands will play reversed roles.Your whip hand is to encourage forward motion and your lunge line hand to slow down or stop that motion. The first thing I would check is; where are you standing in relation to the horse's body to lunge? Even if you're 15 or 20 feet out on your lunge line, make sure you are standing more to the rear of the horse so that your body is positioned where you can encourage forward motion. (when lungeing to the left, move over to the right so you're more behind him) Cluck to your horse and crack your whip to try to get him to move forward. If that doesn't work the next step would be to cluck to him and flick him on the hindquarters with your whip. (don't stand close to the horse in case he kicks out) If that still doesn't work you might have to sting him a little w/ the whip- you have to do whatever it takes to get him moving forward. Get him to take a few steps and let him stop. Let him know you're pleased with him. Do that a few times and leave it at that for the day, then over the next few days work him up to making a round or two. Gradually increase the revolutions and also back off on the strength of your whip cues until you don't have to touch him w/ the whip anymore. Also try to keep your lunge-line hand as quiet as possible; don't wave it around or keep it high in the air, as the horse might think you're trying to stop him. Also check your halter or caveson or whatever you lunge in to make sure it's not to tight or causing him discomfort when he's doing what you want him to do. Thanks for your question, hope there's something in here that helps you.
Thank you so much Dale! I will surely try it and get back to you!
You're welcome
Hi Dale, Everytime I ask for the whoa the horse stops then dips his nose & comes in towards me with his head low. Should I just reposition him to the outside of the arena again?
Hi Kate; Try lungeing your horse at a walk, keeping him close to the fence with you just a few feet out on the lunge line. Ask him to stop and when he tries to come toward you, push his shoulder with the butt of your lunge whip. If he gets concerned or confused, stop him and use a combination of your halter and whip butt to move him back over to the fence. Make him stand for a few seconds and if he starts to come back to you, just stop him and reposition him again. After several days he should be getting the idea. You can then start going out farther on your lunge line, making sure you can stop him squarely before going out a little more. When he will do this at your lungeing distance you can try him at a trot, and then finally at a lope. Hope this helps............Dale ps: It might be good to review the videos on both leading and lungeing in case you missed something!
I have same problem won't stop but comes in
I too, she keeps coming to me, which is fine since I liberty-train her and she comes with me naturally. It's cool. No halter or lead line required. I put those things on only in the roundpen now. I'm trying to start her lunging, and so far all I can get is for her to walk all the way around. It requires patience.....and it's nothing you have to rush.
Is there a certain age to start lunging? Also I’m 10 and want to train a yearling. So can I lunge him? Thank you
I say you should start breaking them around 2-3 and you should have a experienced person with you when you start since you are young for your first times unless the horse is dangerous which would mean at all times.
I know this is late. I would halter break at two start groundwork basics at 2-3 then introduce a saddle at 4 at this age focus on desensitizing him:her as much as possible
I just got my horse a couple of months ago.. She wont lunge for me but she will for my trainer.. But I got her going once and then when I try to she backs up.. Even free lunging doesn't help.. Any tips Dale?? Thanks!
+HayItsAnna and Dun It's kinda hard for me to give you a good answer Sis, without being able to see what's going on. Just going by what you said I think you'll probably have to chase her a little, maybe pop your lunge whip behind her and get her energy up. You might have to flick her on the rump with the whip. If you get her going, be happy with just a half a lap or a full lap, then get the same in the other direction and call it good for the day. The next day try to get her to go a little farther, and as she gets better you can ask her for more. Hope this helps
Thanks!! I'll totally try this!!
You're welcome Anna
I like how you dont use a flag like other people.
I'm certainly not against flags Gilberto, but sure don't think you need one to lunge a horse once it's going pretty good.
i was the 500 subscriber. hahahahahahahaha!
jordan Congratulations Jordan on being our 500th subscriber! - You the Man!!!!!
i lunge my horse without a whip is less scary for them and gives you more contact with your horse. Your horse will learn to listen to you and your body signals.
oh great another video with a whip, really
what a cruel jack you are, you should leave. Leave the horses alone. You have no business around these majestic animals. You could learn from Missy. Now you are teaching a 13 y.o. to use a whip on her horse.
give the horse time to respond to your command, relax and learn from Missy already, what's wrong with you? Be humane, kind and respectful.