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My mare won't lunge no matter what I try?
I have a twenty three year old Arabian mare my friend gave me this fall. I got her to lunge once without a round pin and things worked out fine. Now that I have her in the field also without a lunge pin she won't do anything. I pick up the lunch whip and line and she just walks to me and nuzzles my arm. I tell her in a firm voice to 'Stay' where I lead her, she just walks up to me and starts nuzzling me again. I move away and she follows. I have had my parents try and that didn't work either not even holding on to the halter and leading her in a circle works.
4 Answers
- havealittlepittyLv 41 decade agoFavorite Answer
Lunging is not a natural behavior for a horse. They have to be taught to do it. At this age I would recommend finding another activity for her to get exercise, or find a good professional trainer to work with her. Just go slow and easy. Cantering in a circle over and over is bad for her joints.
what is a 'lunge pin'?
- Anonymous1 decade ago
It may just be that your mare has related the different places to the different tasks; a round pen means the horse should lunge, and a pasture means the horse has social time and grazing. Much like making a show-ring jumper try cross country eventing, you asking her to lunge in a field is completely unknown and odd to her. Eventually getting her to lunge in the pasture is possible, but she's past her main learning age and it would save both you and her trouble and confusion if you just stuck to the round pen. Alternatively, you could try saddling her up and attaching a lunge line through the bridle, then even mount and ride the mare in circles in the pasture while your parents or friend hold the lunge line in an imitation of lunging (standing in the center and pivoting) while you push your horse on with leg commands and even reins. Lessen the commands as she starts to understand, then all together just sit there and she'll continue he exercise. You can then transition to no rider, no saddle, until you have her lunging again. It's good to see you have such a strong bong with your new horse, however-- just work on it if you want, and I'm sure everything will be okay!
Source(s): Owner of a horse for 6 years - 1 decade ago
She has bad ground manners. She does not appreciate your space. You should not a horse who just walks up and starts nuzzling you. Sure its cute but it can also get dangerous. When she nuzzles you you need to smack her. Im not saying to beat her abuse is always wrong.
When she starts to walk towards you you need to take a step back and ask her to lunge. You need to demand the lunge. She obviously knows how to if she has done it before. She might be alittle confused with a new setting so just take it slow and let her figur eit out but you can not let her do as she pleases.You need to show her that you are the boss and that you do as you say. You need to be assertive. You can't let her walk all over you so to say now as eventually it just might happen if you let her do what she wants. You have to be constant no My horse never steps on me, rubs up against me, leans on me while im doing his hooves. He lunges wonderfully and does everything I ask .He is still my best friend and follows me around like a puppy and loves when I groom him. He respects my space and I respect his.
