Lunging problems :[

Question
Recently my 6 yr. old QH gelding has had some serious problems lunging. When I had him boarded at another property I could easily lunge him on a line and free. I did this because he would test me when I mounted him, and was very agitated. Now I've moved him to another property (don't know if this is the problem) and when I try to lunge him he will make a half circle around me before coming straight at me and resting his head on my shoulder. When I try to move him off he throws a tantrum and kicks his feet a little before coming at me again. He rides perfectly fine and doesn't try to throw me off, weird right? I don't like lunging him anymore and my mom is becoming scared of his behavior.  This could be because I previously had him stall boarded and he is now in 40 acre pasture with about 11 other horses. Before I purchased him he was in a larger pasture with a HUGE group of horses. Also the weather down in GA has been awful! It's terribly dry and then we get rain, and then it's dry again. This is taking its toal on my horses hooves, they're cracking and chipping really bad. Shoes are thrown as soon as they're put on, the farrier is becoming too expensive.. any tips on good mositurizing? It's only his hind feet, the front are doing great! Sorry if this is too much!

Thanks,
Amanda!

Answer
Hi Amanda!

Yes....sometimes when a horse is moved to a new barn and his situation changes drastically, it can produce behavioral issues.  But, if the owner remains the same dominant force in his life as he had at his other barn, issues tend to be few and minimal.

So, start with thinking about yourself.  Are you openly showing him  your reluctance and being far too soft for and with him?  If you feel this is true, go back to the basics for awhile.  Take some time to rebuild a foundation of trust and communication.  Things will only get better.  I like the Monty Roberts "Join-Up Method"...you can Google this and get more information on it.  This deals solely with round pen exercises and gets the owner back in the dominant role and uses simple, helpful exercises to teach the horse and owner to communicate clearly to each other.  This is what you need.  If you cannot control him in the round pen you will have little success controlling him from the saddle.  It's all connected.  Get him back to longeing correctly and obediently and things will only improve form there.

Also, remember to keep him in line while you work with him on the ground.  You must always be firm and consistent in your handling of him, even in the simplest of tasks like grooming or tacking up.  Once you allow him to be sloppy in one thing, it will carry into all other areas, including longeing and riding.

Lastly, I like an ingestible supplement like Farrier's Friend or such to increase the strength of hooves.  You must keep them on it for a few months before you see improvement but, I have had good success with it.  Things you just wipe on do not have a lasting effect and to me are pointless.  What goes inside him makes him good on the outside.

Good luck and remember to always wear an ASTM/SEI approved helmet!

Solange