Advice sought about lungeing a pony

[pelican8000]

Hi there,
I am having a bit of trouble getting "Bambi" to understand when I want her to put the "brakes" on when lungeing. One person advised me to stop talking to her when she does it and wait for her to stop on her own. Another person said that if she ignores me I should make her go faster as a sort of punishment. Any ideas? Thanks.

[lankeela]

I would just use a long drawn out whoooooaaaaaaa in a low calm voice, gently drawing in the lunge rein which will turn her towards you. Once she realises what you mean you can gradually lessen the pull on the rein and hopefully she will learn to come to a halt.

My old ned would only ever lunge one way, and unless he was ridden or led the other way he would stop and turn himself round.

[lankeela]

Sorry forgot to add don't think making her go faster will help at all!

[horsestache1]

Have you taught her the voice commands for walk, trot, canter and stand. Try getting her to move up to trot, then back to walk, give her loads of praise and perhaps a little treat. Practice this several times over a few weeks, then ask her to canter, bringing back to trot then walk. Do this first with someone (fit!!) leading her on the outside. She'll soon get the hang of it, particularly when she know's there's a treat involved.

Having said all this I STILL have one pony, who just runs around like a mad thing, I think he enjoys It!!!!

[Nemarino]

I would try getting someone to walk along on the outside with a lead rope until she gets used to your voice commands - make sure that they do not interact with her so that her attention is on you not them.

If she knows the voice commands and is just ignoring them, try making the circle gradually smaller and smaller - she will have to slow. In theory anyway!!