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Posted by Nanci on February 13, 2004 at 07:42:56:
In Reply to: Training Ex-Racehorse posted by Horse Lover on February 10, 2004 at 20:50:13:
: I have a new horse that I got in November. She is a TB, ex-racehorse, and is now 6. The horses haven't gotten out for a while in the Northeast due to an overwhelming amount of icy weather. I'm not exactly what you would call the most experienced horse person, but I can handle certain situations when riding. My horse is a crazy girl when you try to lunge her. I honestly just think she does not like the lungeline. She rears a lot, and bucks and turns in to face me, but she doesn't actually come at me. Also, whatever way I lunge her, she always has to go the opposite way. Any tips on how I can get her to calm down on the lungeline? Lunging is supposed to be a way to calm the horse down or get rid of excess energy, not make them wild. Thanks!
Sounds like she may need some 'free' time - turn her loose in an arena or paddock and just let her play - she's young enough to need to play on her own or with others of her own age.The rearing and bucking indicate to me that she isn't getting enough play time. Remember that horses were never meant to live in close confinement - they are range animals and need lots of unstructured exercise. She may resent the line because to her it represents work or control or whatever. Plus, if you have or can get access to a round pen, that is much easier and more beneficial than working on a line. I don't know how anyone in the northeast, north or northwest deals with the winters y'all have. I'm in central Texas and it's tough enough down here where we don't have to keep the horses confined. My hat's off to you for even trying to deal with her in this situation. Good luck.