horse people..? re: lunge-lining

Personally, I wouldn't lunge with a chain until Emma is *quite* accustomed to working on the lunge as it is. If you can, get a decent lunge caveson & work with that. A good one will have a sturdy noseband (i.e. don't just settle for the equivalent of a halter w/rings on the noseband) that will add more support & reinforcement while the two of you are making progress on the lunge. You can add a surcingle & side reins later on if you want to take things further.

If you are able to work in a more confined space, the easier it will be for you to establish voice commands while using a wall as a boundary/reinforcement in doing so.

Chains definitely have their place & time...I've just never been a fan of using them instead of instilling "the basics," whether on a lead, lunge, etc. Establish & enforce the basics first, then bring out the heavy metal if absolutely necessary.

Just my $.02

K~

Thanks. The roundpen-wall thing is scary; I am thinking of just skipping the pen and doing things out in the field.
I want to get out there and lunge her some tomorrow, and Mark can work Cuesta.. she tends to be a slight deadbeat and needs encouragement to move, but we'l see how that goes; any advice for that? :)

Everyone has their own way of doing things. I just don't like working close to rail walls or fences till I can trust what a horse is doing. Scared horses do really crazy crap.
I haven't had a horse fora couple years now, but love working with them so much I work my friend Judys'. I took a day of vacation yesterday soley to work her horses and play with the new filly.
Have a blast with Emma.:)

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Originally Posted by Ginevive

Thanks. The roundpen-wall thing is scary; I am thinking of just skipping the pen and doing things out in the field.
I want to get out there and lunge her some tomorrow, and Mark can work Cuesta.. she tends to be a slight deadbeat and needs encouragement to move, but we'l see how that goes; any advice for that? :)

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I usually tap them on the rump very lightly to get them going. If that gets no response I pop it behind them which startles them a little to go. Don't try that with a horse that is jumpy or scared of the whip. A rescue that came in will go till she drops if she sees a whip. I can just imagine what someone did to her. I just wave my hand in the air and making clicking sounds when I want her to go.

Gin Round pens serve a very good purpose. I'm not talking about panels set up in a circle, or a 6-7 foot railing, a real round pen. Tall, sturdy, safe. The round part serves as a tool as well. Horses can/will stop in a corner with their butt towards you, this can be bad if your having a conflict, round=no ez/comfortable stop or "hide". Where the animal and you are focused completely on each other. As Blue Mongoose mentioned, everyone has a method, and there are as many good ways to train a horse as there are to cycle a fish tank... having a luge whip with you is a good thing in case one get confused and comes towards you, and also to use as an extension of your "arm". Basic ground work, voice commands, pressure and release, and body language. Have you considered going to a clinic with one or both of them? Here trainers hold "clinics" where you pay to watch them train. More if you want to bring your animal as one of the subjects. Never attended a bad one... and always learned a ton! Siminars are great too!

No problem with contradictions. I suggested the chain if she was having issues with her stopping without one. I always advocate using the least amount of effort to get the result you want.
I prefer to have the horse inside a pen if you worry about them going out of control. Better confined and not able to build up tons of speed rather than in an open field, but again, that's me. I've lunged both in pens and out in fields. I used chains, no chains, looped chains and full rein rigs with a surgingle.
Never ever loop up the lunge line. If you must gather the excess, you fold it, so there are no loops that can cinch tight around your hand. Never wrap a lunge line, a lead rope, or any other line that is attached to a horse around any part of your body. Even if your old placid mare hasn't ever moved faster than a walk, it only takes once to be badly injured.
Horses might be wonderful animals, but they are still "animals" and subject to panicing, to spooking, to swinging that half ton of flesh into you and squashing you like a bug without meaning to.
It sounds like you are off to a great start! Just don't make excuses for her behavior. It doesn't matter too much what happened to her early in life, just work her as if there is no issues, and try to give her the calm placid energy from yourself. Always expect her to do the oddest thing at the most inopportune time, and you'll do well!
Wolfy

Oh, I would never wrap the line around my right hand.. I have been dragged (very painfully) by a dog on a leash; I would be horrified to think what could happen being dragged by a horse.. death or serious injury, I am thinking..!
I am so happy; I had been having catching issues w/ bringing them in at night.. they would either come to the gate and then run off, or not come up altogether. I have been just going out to the pasture and either just petting them or even better, giving them some treats; now it is getting so that if I call them, they'll come right away! Last night, Mark was surprised when they galloped pell-mell right to the gate when he went out to bring-in.. glad this is getting better.