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That's a ~little~ different than me, in that if they'll come back to a trot within a stride or two, I let them and say "goooood trot". I do a complete woah if they get too out of hand, but like you, I don't use "woah" unless I want a full stop, I don't use it for any other 'slow down', I use, "eeeeeeeeesy". When they've gone around good a couple times I'll stop and approach and pet.

Slowing down her gallop into a nicer canter is a little more of a challege, light pulls, but not enough to pull her back down to a trot, and lots of soothing 'easy's? Is that what you'd do? Is it a mortal sin for her to gallop or is there some beneficial element to letting her wear herself out if she is at least going round without too much horseplay?

I think the trouble with her is that she was mostly round-penned, and I think the usual round pen strategy is 95% exercise, 5% obedience. If they run in the round pen, I think the Monty Roberts mehod is to run them harder until they really want to stop. I prefer lunging as 65% obedience 35% exercise. I want nice response to commands, and exercise is secondary.

Heh... I've got a good picture opp outside I think... I think I've got two mares in heat and a curious but naive gelding.

Oh my:). I don't have a clue what to tell you. Personally, I like keeping mine separate most of the time anyway. Harley and Rusty run together some. Since Belle is not a permanent resident here, I'm keeping her separate. When she lived here all the time, I did let her run with the geldings part of the day.

My philosophy on lunging is different from both you and Monty Roberts:). I go for 100% obedience not a physically exercise, or to wear them out. If I get 100% obedience in the first few minutes I stop. IMO, it's a course in who is in control, nothing more. If they accept that I'm in control I ride. It's more fun to "exercise" with me in the saddle then on the end of a lunge line.

IMO, you can't really wear one out on a lunge line. They may get puffy for a few minutes, but they're not wore out. The more you lunge too the better condition they get in and then it will take longer to wear them out. You'd do better wearing them out in the saddle where the are learning something besides going in circles.

With one that is hard to get to slow down with the line hooked to the halter, I'd snap it to the bit. Of course you have to be alot more careful with your cues doing that, but it can be done. I'd use a solid bit for that, or else they're just going to turn in on you.

Becky

Oh, and one more thing about lunging:) I never ask for a lope or a gallop on the lunge line. I don't ask for a walk either. They trot. Trotting is the hardest gait for them to maintain. Walking is showing laziness which I can't allow, and loping or galloping is letting them pick the speed which is not allowable, IMO. I'm in control not them.

IMO, if you ask for the lope, or let them lope, you run the risk of them speeding up and doing their own thing, and it is very hard to get them to slow down to a nice speed on a lunge line, so I just never let it get started.

Lunging is about control, not exercise, not to wear them out. JMO:) And I know most people think my philosiphy is a little fanatical, but my horses are all very well behaved, and worse came to worse, I really believe that a beginner could ride any of my three.

Becky

I do a lot of round pen and you can still maintain discipline. The only time I exercise(wear um down) is when they won't listen. If I want a trot and getting a fast run I just make them run a little bit more when they are ready to slow down. I seldom have to do it any more though. Walking still a problem with SL occ. She thinks she is supposed to stop when she hears "wwwaaaallllkkk" sometimes.