How to Lunge a Horse

Lunging is a good way to teach and exercise a horse. Because you can see the horse from the side while lunging, you can see if his form is correct. Lunging is also a method to teach new riders, as the rider can focus on developing his own skills, while you control the horse.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• 20 foot-lunge line
• Whip
• A horse that is already familiar with some voice commands
• Halter, bridle or lunging cavesson

1. Use a large, flat, clean area to lunge. Make sure there are no pits, holes or dips that might trip the horse. Clean away any roots or rocks. You want the horse to concentrate on your body and words, not worry about tripping, falling or stepping on something hurtful.
2. Lead the horse to the lunge area, and clip the lunge lead to his halter. Stand the horse and let out enough lunge line to get him started. Standing center ring, even with the horse's shoulder, hold your whip in the hand closest to his rear.
3. Start the horse around the circle, by stating "walk" and pointing the whip towards his hip. You may need to snap the whip, but never hit the horse with the whip. As the horse makes the circle, walk a tight small circle. If you stand still, you get dizzy and move too far in front of the shoulder line.
4. Warm the horse up well before trying new maneuvers, but keep the entire lunging session to 30 minutes or less. Once you give the "walk" command, drop the tip of the whip down towards the ground. Stay even with the horse's shoulder throughout forward training.
5. Choose whether to canter, trot or walk the horse from the shoulder line. Move in front of the shoulder line and move the whip to the front end of the horse, while giving the "whoa" or "slow" command to bring the horse to a stop.
6. Reverse the horse by moving in front of the shoulder line, exchanging the whip and lunge hands. Point the whip far ahead of the horse and maybe even put a little pressure on the lunge line while giving the "reverse" command to ensure the horse turns towards you and not away from you.

Tips & Warnings

• Lunging can be hard on a horse's joints, especially developing joints, therefore don't lunge horses under 3 years old unless you can free lunge (no lead is used at all).