How to Lunge on Horseback

Riding students of all levels from beginners to advanced riders benefit from work on a lunge line. Having the horse on a lunge line allows the rider to do exercises that promote balance, a good seat and independent functioning of upper and lower body. For these exercises use a horse that is well trained to work on a lunge line.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Things You’ll Need:

• Lunge line 25 to 30-feet long
• Lunge whip 8-feet long with a 6-foot lash
• Riding gloves
• Helmets for both rider and trainer
• Bridle with reins removed or lunging cavesson
• Protective leg boots for the horse
• Saddle and pad appropriate to your style of riding

1. Tack up the horse for lunging. Use a saddle and pad as you would for riding. Place leg boots and/or bell boots on the horse to protect against the horse stepping on itself or kicking itself while working in a small circle. Put on a lunging cavesson or bridle with the reins removed and attach a lunge line.
2. Prepare yourself to lunge the horse. Wear a helmet and riding gloves and take off your spurs. Have a lunge whip ready to take into the arena with you.
3. Ready yourself to ride. You should wear a helmet, riding gloves and boots.
4. Place your hands on the pommel of the saddle without gripping. Work like this at a walk, trot and canter until you can maintain a steady seat and are not gripping with your hands. Then move your hands to the tops of your thighs and repeat this process.
5. Remember to focus on your balance and the independence of your upper and lower body as you ride. Extend your arms straight out to the sides and do first small and then large circles forwards and backwards. Touch your right toe with your left hand and visa versa. Work these exercises at all 3 gaits.
6. Remove the stirrups. These may be taken off the saddle or crossed in front of the pommel. Work the above exercises without the stirrups. This will promote a higher degree of balance and coordination for you when you ride.
7. Add a set of cavellettis or a small jump to the lunging exercises for more advanced riders, in order to build skills for jumping.

Tips & Warnings

• If you are using a bridle rather than a lunging cavesson, thread the lunge line through both bit rings or run it in through the inside ring, over the horse's nose and clip it to the off-side bit ring.
• These exercises can be spread over multiple lessons. The more difficult exercises are not suitable for raw beginners and can be left out.
• Do not wear spurs while lunging a horse. They will catch on each other and trip you as you step in small circles in the center of the lunging circle.
• Always wear a helmet and gloves when you are lunging a horse. The helmet will offer some head protection if the horse kicks, and the gloves will prevent rope burn on your hands if the horse jerks away from you.