by Megan Worley

Created on: March 15, 2009   Last Updated: June 25, 2009

How to Lunge a Horse

Lunging a horse is a great tool for exercising and training your horse, but if it is not done correctly if can scare a horse and possibly injure the handler. A horse being lunged moves around its handler in a wide circle and should be responsive to voice aids. Horses need to be trained to be lunged so that anyone can handle the horse. Body language aids are also used. To lunge your horse you need a lunge line, gloves, a lunge whip and either your horses halter or bridle if you are lunging your horse tacked up. If you decided to have the saddle on when you are lunging then make sure the stirrups are up and have the leather folded through the stirrup.

When you are lunging your horse you should do so in an enclosed place, preferably a dirt arena or at least a place with great footing. The place needs to be big enough for your horse to be at the end of the lunge line and make a complete circle. Too small of a space will mean the horse likely doesn't have enough room to canter and also makes it unsafe. You should wear good shoes and gloves to protect your hands if the horse pulls away from you. The horse also needs to wear protective gear in the form of protective boots. Splint boots on the back and front legs will help to protect their legs. If you are lunging in a bridle the lunge line goes through the bit on the side of the horse you will be facing and clips to the bit on the other side. Also be sure to twist the reins over each other and slide the throat latch through them to keep them from flopping around. If you are lunging the horse in a halter you can simply clip the lunge line to the same spot as the lead rope.

When you begin to lunge the horse stand in the center of the ring with the lunge line in the same hand as the direction the horse is going and the lunge whip in the other. The lunge whip is never for hitting the horse; instead it can be cracked and waved to make the horse move forward. Be careful with the whip as some horse will overreact to the whip and may bolt. Use your voice to ask the horse to move forward. Simply say "Walk", "Trot" "Canter" and "Whoa" for slowing down. Try to keep your voice deeper which tends to have a calming effect on the horse. Work the horse through walk, then trot, and finally a canter. Then change the direction and repeat. You can also help to control the horse's pace with your own movement; if you walk slowly the horse will slow. Only use the whip if you have to. If you don't then just leave it pointing down and drag it along in the dirt.

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