Lunging is a valuable training tool for horses, providing a way to exercise them, assess their movement, and build their obedience
. It can be especially useful for young horses, horses recovering from injury, or those that need extra work to improve their fitness. However, lunging can be tricky if not done correctly. To ensure the safety and effectiveness of the exercise, it’s essential to follow certain guidelines. Here’s a rundown of the do’s and don’ts when it comes to horse lunging.
The Do’s of Horse Lunging
- Do Start Slowly When lunging a horse, especially one that is new to the activity or hasn’t been lunged in a while, start with short, low-intensity sessions. Begin with a walk or trot to warm up the muscles. Gradually increase the intensity as the horse becomes more comfortable and responsive.
- Do Use Proper Equipment For safe and effective lunging, make sure you’re using the right equipment. A standard lunge line (around 20 to 30 feet long), a lunging whip, and a properly fitted bridle or halter are essential. Some riders also use a lunge cavesson, which helps keep the horse’s head in a consistent position. Ensure that all your tack fits well and is in good condition to prevent accidents.
- Do Focus on Your Position Proper positioning is key to effective lunging. Stand in the center of the circle, making sure you have enough space around you to safely move the horse. Keep a neutral stance with your body slightly turned towards the horse. Hold the lunge line with your left hand and the whip in your right hand (if you’re right-handed), and be sure to maintain a relaxed but assertive posture.
- Do Change Directions To avoid straining your horse’s muscles, it’s important to change directions regularly. This will help develop the horse’s balance, flexibility, and coordination. Switching directions also prevents boredom and keeps the horse mentally engaged. Change directions every 5-10 minutes, or whenever the horse seems to lose focus.
- Do Reward Good Behavior Lunging is not just about getting the horse to move in a circle; it’s also about building a relationship of trust and communication. Reward your horse with praise, a gentle pat, or a treat for following instructions and maintaining good behavior. This will encourage your horse to stay calm and focused during future lunging sessions.
The Don’ts of Horse Lunging
- Don’t Overwork the Horse It’s important not to push your horse too hard during a lunging session, especially in the beginning. Overworking your horse can lead to physical strain, stress, or behavioral issues. Keep lunging sessions short (about 20 to 30 minutes) and monitor your horse for signs of fatigue, such as heavy breathing, sweating, or lack of focus.
- Don’t Use Excessive Force Lunging is meant to be a gentle, controlled exercise, not one that uses excessive force or harsh commands. Avoid pulling on the lunge line or using the whip too aggressively. Instead, use soft, consistent cues with the lunge line and whip to guide the horse. Remember, your goal is to encourage the horse to move willingly and comfortably.
- Don’t Ignore the Horse’s Body Language Pay close attention to your horse’s body language during the session. If the horse starts to show signs of distress, discomfort, or resistance (such as pulling away, pinning ears, or kicking out), slow down or stop the session. Continuing to lunge a stressed or anxious horse can lead to bad habits or injuries. Always be ready to recognize when a break is needed.
- Don’t Lunge on Hard Surfaces Lunging on hard surfaces, like concrete or asphalt, can cause damage to your horse’s joints, tendons, and hooves. Whenever possible, choose a soft, flat surface like a sand or grass arena. If you have to lunge on harder ground, limit the duration of the session and avoid intense work.
- Don’t Keep the Horse in a Small Circle for Too Long Lunging should be done in a large, spacious area that allows the horse to move freely. Avoid making the horse work in a very tight circle, as this can strain their muscles and lead to uneven movement or lameness. The size of the circle should vary, but it should always be wide enough to let the horse move comfortably without overexerting themselves.
