Longeing Issues

[Val]

Ok, I've trained a few young horses in my years but this one stumps me. I've been trying to teach him to longe off and on now for 2 years. He's a 3 yr old mustang gelding (I've owned him since birth). I've tried every technique that has worked with my past training projects but failed. Steele will begin to walk in a circle and then suddenly do one of two things...

1) He will break into a canter and come for me
2) He'll turn towards me and just freeze and if i ask him to continue he rears and strikes out.

I've tried a whip (he could care less or he strikes out), having someone lead him as i longe (works until the person is removed), using side reins, a tie down rope, etc. He's an angel to ride but as soon as you get him on an end of a line he's a devil. I like to train my dressage horses on the longe line so does anyone have any suggestions that they've had success with?
Thanks!

[DixieGirl]

My horse does the same exact thing!! But she doesn't anymore.

[Alwaysridin09]

Thats hard, the only things that I can think of are:
1. Boredom, he would rather be ridden because its more challenging.

2. Or maybe he is not understanding what you are asking, it sounds strange, but if he doesnt understand than it will result in anger.

Those were just my thoughts, I hope you figure him out. I would call an experienced Dressage trainer.

[PrissyBritches]

hmm, my 3yr mare did the same exact thing but more intense. She would even take off with the lounge line. She would rear, buck, try to come after me, everything. The reason for this was she was trying to gain dominince. All I did was stood my ground, stayed confident, and took over. If your horse does act up you should not yell at them or get upset becuase then they will think that they have won. Just stay quiet and collected and if the horse does something correct reward the horse right away.
I know that isnt a lot to go off of but I tried.

I hope things work out for you and your horsie.

Good luck ;)

[Love My Dun]

OMG my horse used to do that minus the rearing thing. he'd just take off tho...
I found the more I tried, the more he got it.
perfect it at a walk and then slowly move on to a canter.
its definitaly not gonna happen in one day.
take a few days on the walk, and then if you're sure you're confident enough move on. but not until you're sure, cuz he may just start doing it all over again even at the walk.

or if u have a round pen, get something he respects (Or something u kno he'll move away from) and keep it with u in the middle, let him off the line & longe him that way. keep the object that he moves away from in the center and use it if he comes in.

[snapmyapp]

clearly he's not understanding the WHOLE concept.

you need to work him in a roundpen, dont try to teach horses to lunge in a large, open arena, it's just to much going on for a horse.

firstly, make sure he knows how to move away when you go towards his hip, like... follow you, or continue to move his hip.

and one thing many people DONT teach their horses is moving their SHOULDER away, so when you walk TOWARDS him, as in making a right hand turn, instead of having to struggle to turn him, he should simple pivote on the huanches. this is best taught with a crop, and just tap him lightly on the shoulder, kiss/cluck to him, and push him to the side, till he starts to get the idea.

and striking- that is a big no-no. a horse like that should be seriously repremanded, just think, one hit of his hoof on top of your HEAD... and you are either out cold, with a broken neck, or just dead.

maybe somebody will finally take my advice xD

[Gingy's girl]

There are a few questions that need to be answered. Do you run from his anger? (like move as in run away and scared) B/c if you do that then yer showing him that he is stronger than you and more dominate, you can't have that. One other thing, is there a plastic bag on the end of the whip? The bag can kind of scare him and he will keep that forward motion.

[Val]

Thank you all for suggestions! He doesn't show any respect for a whip and usually will just take a tap to the shoulder like it doesn't exist. I havn't tried to put a bag on the end, though, so I'll try that. Sadly, I don't have a round pen, just a large outdoor arena, and I don't know anyone that has one. I guess I won't be able to try anything using one.

I know the rearing and striking is a major issue. He has hit me a few times but I've been lucky. I never run from his anger, though, because I know that's not smart. Unlike my last horse, who wouldn't dare hurt me, he does got too far. I guess I probably should find a professional trainer but seeing as I have many expenses lately it's not really an option. My dressage trainer doesn't really work on this sort of issue.

Anyone think that when i go back to consistant training in the spring that I should just focus on riding and forget about the loungeing? Just curious.

[DixieGirl]

Thank you all for suggestions! He doesn't show any respect for a whip and usually will just take a tap to the shoulder like it doesn't exist. I havn't tried to put a bag on the end, though, so I'll try that. Sadly, I don't have a round pen, just a large outdoor arena, and I don't know anyone that has one. I guess I won't be able to try anything using one.

I know the rearing and striking is a major issue. He has hit me a few times but I've been lucky. I never run from his anger, though, because I know that's not smart. Unlike my last horse, who wouldn't dare hurt me, he does got too far. I guess I probably should find a professional trainer but seeing as I have many expenses lately it's not really an option. My dressage trainer doesn't really work on this sort of issue.

Anyone think that when i go back to consistant training in the spring that I should just focus on riding and forget about the loungeing? Just curious.

You shouldn't forget about it because he'll never learn it.