How to Lunge a Horse

For all the horse riding aficionados and horse riding experts, lunging a horse is a very important aspect of horse riding. Lungeing or Longeing a horse is to train the horse to move around the trainer or the rider in the circles. There are controls available with the handler to take command of the horse, telling the horse where to bend, turn or move faster or slower. Longeing is a way to know for the the rider or the handler about the gait of the horse. Are you ready then for knowing how to lunge a horse?

How to Lunge a Horse Correctly

Saddle #1
Gathering the equipment is what you would obviously begin with. What you need here is 20 foot-lunge line, whip and halter, bridle or lunging cavesson. Apart from this, you must have boots and gloves for your own safety and comfort. Read more on how to ride a horse.

Saddle #2
Have a large, flat and clean area where the horse can lunge. There should not be any pits, holes or trips which might lead the horse to trip. If there are any roots or rocks, they should be cleaned away or removed. This is the basic thing to ensure that the horse does not trip and can follow the commands. This is all the more crucial when you want to know how to lunge a horse for the first time.

Saddle #3
Lead the horse to the lunging area. Then clip the lunge lead to the halter. Stand the horse and to get him started, let out enough lunge line. Be in the center ring, in line with the shoulder of the horse. Hold the whip in the hand which is closest to the horse's rear. Read more on horse training tips.

Saddle #4
Make the horse move around in a circle by giving a 'walk' command. The command should be accompanied by just pointing of the whip in the direction of the horse's hips. Remember the word pointing, because you should avoid using the whip as far as possible. Snap the whip but never hit with it. To avoid getting dizzy and not being even with shoulders of the horse, walk a tight small circle.

Saddle #5
Whenever you want to try out new maneuvers, make sure the horse has got its warm up. But keep the lunging session for 30 minutes at the most. After you give the command 'walk', drop the whip of the tip towards the ground. Do not deviate from the position of being even with the horse's shoulders the entire time of forward training. This is a very significant aspect of learning how to lunge a horse.

Saddle #6
Now decide whether to canter, trot or walk the horse from the shoulder line. Then move in front of the shoulder line, moving the hip to the front end of the horse. Along with this, give a 'slow' or 'whoa' command for the horse to stop.

Saddle #7
Get the horse to reverse by moving in front of the shoulder line. Then exchange the whip and the lunge hands. Point the whip far ahead of the horse and you can even apply some pressure on the lunge as well. At the same time give a reverse command for making sure that the horse turns in your direction and not in the opposite direction. Read more horseback riding lessons.

Finally, to know how to lunge a horse properly, once you are done, get the horse to stop and walk towards the horse, taking the lunge rein in as you go. Remember to fold the rein, instead of rolling. This will lower the risk of the rein being tightened around your hand in the situation if the horse takes off. Be it knowing how to lunge a horse with side reins or otherwise, this is a must remember.

That's it! All the best to you dudes for learning how to lunge a horse! Just do me favor, when you are getting trained in that, please avoid hurting that glorious animal!