Is This Something to Worry About?

HorseLvr76 · 08-25-2008, 02:13 PM

If a horse changes his back lead alot on a lunge circle at a canter (both ways), is this something that can be fixed with conditioning? It is a 3 yr old and some say that it is due to being young and off balance. A trainer said it might be a signal of an issue.

Is this something to worry about, or maybe just an issue of balance on the lunge line. Each time the horse is on the lunge line and swaps to the incorrect lead in the back, he is asked to trott then pick the canter back up. Over the past week, the swapping in back has gotten less and less-maybe one time ever 2-3 times around.

EquineAlberta · 08-25-2008, 02:18 PM

It might be unsoundness and it just be trouble balancing on the circle. If it is important to you to canter on the lunge, then I would just do what you are doing and go back to trot and try again. Long lining on the circle can help to control the horse's hips and might help you out. Walk to canter transitions also can help.

I knew a high level jumper who couldn't canter on the lunge without swapping hind leads, yet he was sound and didn't drop leads with a rider...he just didn't see the point balancing himself on the lunge.

Karen

HorseLvr76 · 08-25-2008, 02:28 PM

I've never seen this horse be unsound in any way, so we are just hoping that it is a balance issue in the lunge. My friend that showed high level dressage said her Trakhaner (sp?) used to do this when he was young also, due to being lanky and unbalanced...?

ChevyGirl84 · 08-25-2008, 08:03 PM

FIrst of all, I would never lunge a 3 year old. Their muscles and ligaments are nowhere near strong enough to handle going in a circle. No offence, but that is a sure way to make them go lame and sore. Secondly, 3 year olds have no balance when it comes to movement, so this horse switching his leads on the lunge line is his way of telling you that he does not understand what you want and he is very unbalanced and uncordinated. Three year old horses do not have the muscle or durability on their legs that an older horse has. I would reccomend that you wait until your horse is a year older to start lunging. I didn't start until my horse was 4 1/2. That is my personal knowledge and working with and training young horses for almost 20 years.

Quote:

Originally Posted by HorseLvr76

If a horse changes his back lead alot on a lunge circle at a canter (both ways), is this something that can be fixed with conditioning? It is a 3 yr old and some say that it is due to being young and off balance. A trainer said it might be a signal of an issue.

Is this something to worry about, or maybe just an issue of balance on the lunge line. Each time the horse is on the lunge line and swaps to the incorrect lead in the back, he is asked to trott then pick the canter back up. Over the past week, the swapping in back has gotten less and less-maybe one time ever 2-3 times around.

HorseLvr76 · 08-26-2008, 07:30 AM

Thanks for your opinion Chevygirl84, but here in the US lunging is quite common in 3 yr olds...I work with trainers, and know many horse people, and that is the norm. that is done. You even watch Clinton Anderson, Monty Roberts, etc... and they roundpen (which is the same as lunging). I do not lunge my horses overboard, but a 10 min. session per day.

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08-25-2008, 02:13 PM
HorseLvr76 Weanling Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 406	Is This Something to Worry About? If a horse changes his back lead alot on a lunge circle at a canter (both ways), is this something that can be fixed with conditioning? It is a 3 yr old and some say that it is due to being young and off balance. A trainer said it might be a signal of an issue. Is this something to worry about, or maybe just an issue of balance on the lunge line. Each time the horse is on the lunge line and swaps to the incorrect lead in the back, he is asked to trott then pick the canter back up. Over the past week, the swapping in back has gotten less and less-maybe one time ever 2-3 times around.

08-25-2008, 02:18 PM
EquineAlberta Seasoned Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Alberta, Canada Posts: 4,425	It might be unsoundness and it just be trouble balancing on the circle. If it is important to you to canter on the lunge, then I would just do what you are doing and go back to trot and try again. Long lining on the circle can help to control the horse's hips and might help you out. Walk to canter transitions also can help. I knew a high level jumper who couldn't canter on the lunge without swapping hind leads, yet he was sound and didn't drop leads with a rider...he just didn't see the point balancing himself on the lunge. Karen __________________ Hillside Stable, Ardrossan, AB Do unto others as you would have them do unto you...is it really that hard?

08-25-2008, 02:28 PM
HorseLvr76 Weanling Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 406	I've never seen this horse be unsound in any way, so we are just hoping that it is a balance issue in the lunge. My friend that showed high level dressage said her Trakhaner (sp?) used to do this when he was young also, due to being lanky and unbalanced...?

08-26-2008, 07:30 AM
HorseLvr76 Weanling Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 406	Thanks for your opinion Chevygirl84, but here in the US lunging is quite common in 3 yr olds...I work with trainers, and know many horse people, and that is the norm. that is done. You even watch Clinton Anderson, Monty Roberts, etc... and they roundpen (which is the same as lunging). I do not lunge my horses overboard, but a 10 min. session per day.