Teaching a broken horse how to lunge.
So, there is this horse that needed to get in shape. He can only be ridden once or twice a week for a slew of reasons. In order to get him into better shape so the rides can be more than just conditioning, we really want to lunge him. However, he's sort of... broken. He was severely abused on the track before we got him, with all sorts of head issues. If we run the lunge line through the bit, over his ears and to the other side, he goes up. If we just clip the lunge line to the bit, he runs around and around and around and motorcycle leans and will fall over. If we suggest that he slow down, he turns to face us, pops his shoulder, motorcycle leans and will fall over. If we put side reins on him, I'm 100% sure he'd flip himself over. If someone stays at his head for the circle, he flies backwards because OMG THEY TOUCHED MY FACE.
What the hell can we do?
Under saddle he's... fairly normal. Once you get on. And yes, he's been vetted and his teeth were done and his tack fits him fine. The vet checks him out whenever he's on the farm and so far has only been able to conclude that we have a 6 year old off the track thoroughbred with a history of abuse.
What the hell can we do?
Under saddle he's... fairly normal. Once you get on. And yes, he's been vetted and his teeth were done and his tack fits him fine. The vet checks him out whenever he's on the farm and so far has only been able to conclude that we have a 6 year old off the track thoroughbred with a history of abuse.