lunging a horse is a tried and true way to train and exercise your horse. This form of training is very old: some 17th-century artwork showcases horses and riders on the lunge line. The origins of lunging can be traced back to Europe, especially Germany and France.
The word lunge is considered French in origin, from the word allonge, which means “to lengthen.” Interestingly enough, the pronunciation and spelling of this word have changed over the years. The traditional spelling of the word is longeing and has been used by the majority of past English dressage experts. It is also often used by horsemanship organizations in the US, such as the United States Pony Clubs. In the 20th century, the phonetic lunging spelling became incredibly popular, especially in the United Kingdom, New Zealand, and Australia.
With such a storied history of use, longeing, or lunging.. however you want to spell it… is one of the best ways to keep your horse fit and in training when you are not in the saddle.
Understanding the Basics of Lunging
What does it mean to Lunge your horse?
Lunging is a training method in which the horse moves in a large circle around the rider. The rider holds a long lead rein, or a lunge line, connected to the horse’s bridle or lunging cavesson. The rider will also hold a lunge whip, consisting of a long stick with a whip tail of equal length attached. With the lunge line in one hand and the lunge whip in the other, a rider will encourage their horse to move in a large circle, changing gaits and performing transitions in both directions.
What do you need to lunge your horse?
There are a few pieces of equipment that are standard for proper lunging. They are the:
Lunging line
Lunge whip
Bridle or lunging cavesson
Side reins (optional)
Training systems (optional)
Sport boots (optional)
The rider holds the long lead rein, or the lunge line, attached to the horse's bridle or cavesson. This line can be made of either leather or nylon and is generally 25 to 35 feet long.
The lunge whip is around 5 1/2 foot long with a lash the same length. This whip is perfect for keeping your distance in the round pen when you need to and can help reach all the way back to the hindquarters during in-hand work.
A bridle is self-explanatory but only use one with a snaffle bit. That being said, the lunging cavesson is a much gentler piece of training equipment and best suited for lunging. The cavesson goes over a horse's nasal bridge and is fastened to the cheek straps. Unlike traditional bridles, the cavesson does not allow for direct pressure on a horse's mouth. Instead, the pressure is distributed over the nasal bridge.
Side reins run from the bit of the bridle to the saddle or surcingle. These particular training tools encourage flexion and softness in the horse's mouth. They are also great in helping a horse learn the proper way to carry its head and encourage the right dressage frame.
A Training System is a professionally developed cords, pulleys, and breaching method that encourages horses to engage themselves and improve forward momentum during lunging. They also allow horses to develop proper body carriage, collection, and head position.
Sport boots have a pliable synthetic leather outer that offers superior protection, while a synthetic fleece interior cushions legs from impact and trauma. This is a great way to ensure your horse's mind is on the training and exercise and not on potential nicks or bruises.
The Benefits of Lunging
Lunging is an incredibly useful training aid. Some of the benefits include:
Can help a horse become more supple
Helps to develop strength and topline muscle
Useful for helping to warm up a fresh horse before a ride
Helps teach young horses basic voice commands, to move independently, and to become familiar with wearing tack
Improves fitness
Helps a horse become more balanced without the weight of a rider
Preparing Your Horse for Lunging
If your horse has never lunged before, allow the horse to sniff the equipment and let them get a good look at it before trying to lunge. This is especially important with the lunging whip. You can use the lunge whip during other groundwork to give the horse a light tap on the rear or shoulder so they are used to the sight and touch of the whip.
Step-by-Step on How to Lunge a Horse
Lead the horse into the middle of the arena or ring. Stand in the center of the ring, becoming the center of the circle your horse will make while lunging.
Loosen the length of the lunging rein and send your horse out in the direction you wish (right rein or left). When doing this, make sure you hold the lunge line in the hand of the direction your horse will circle and hold the whip in the opposite hand. For example, if your horse is on the left rein, hold the lunge line in your left hand and the whip in your right. When you change directions, switch the position of the whip and the lines in your hand.
Warm your horse up with an extended walk, then begin the trot.
When your horse is warmed up, slow them to a stop, and attach any lunging aids you want to use. You want your horse loose and warm before attaching side reins or other optional lunging equipment.
Once warm, begin asking for transitions. If your horse can maintain their balance through the trot and transitions, this is the point at which you can start the canter.
As with any workout, make sure to cool down your horse again with extended walking.
Common Problems to Avoid When Lunging
While lunging is a great training tool and fairly easy to learn, there are some pitfalls you need to be aware of.
Lunging should never be more than 20 minutes. Working on a continuous circle for longer than this could strain your horse's joints and limbs. Not only that, but they could become bored and start misbehaving or not listening.
Never allow your horse to make the circle small and tight, as it can cause injury to their joints and muscles. Also, never allow your horse to stop abruptly or face you when ending a training session. You want the horse to stop on the circle, facing the direction of the circle. You can begin to wind the lunge line up as you walk toward your horse.
Don't drop the lunge line on the floor, step on loops, or get them tangled. Hold the lunge line in large, neat loops well off the ground to shorten and lengthen them easily. Keep it doubled over in short segments in your hand so you can let it out and retrieve it safely. The lunge whip must also always be in the other hand.
Do not use the whip to chase your horse or snap it hard at them. This can cause fear. Remember, whips are not a disciplinary tool, but a training tool to encourage.
Don't allow your horse to have their head on the circle. If your horse decides to bolt, or spook, or simply has just decided they are not listening, gradually decrease the circle size and use half halts along with your voice to get them to come back to you.
If your horse is overbending and falls out through the outside shoulder, use side reins to keep control of the outside shoulder. You can also use two lunge rings if you are capable. The second rein attaches to the outside bit ring and goes behind your horse's quarters or over their withers.
Feeling dizzy? It's a completely normal sensation. However, to fight this, you can move within the center circle, walking a smaller circle inside the horse's larger one.
Make sure to praise your horse after a lunging session! Whether you're riding or lunging, when a horse does what you've asked, they deserve all the pats.
Working a horse on a lunge line is a great way to keep them fit. Whether you're short on time, your horse is coming back from an injury, or needs some extra training, it's a tool that every equestrian should have in their training repertoire. With the right equipment and following the process, lunging can be an enjoyable experience for you and your horse.
