Lunging
Lunging:
Tools:
-Lunge line
-Halter
-Bridle (optional)
-Surrsingle (optional)
-Lunge whip
-enclosed area (optional)
Lunging your horse is a very important aspect of it’s life. Lunging has many uses and ways it can be used in training. I like to use lunging as a way to let my horse blow off some steam before riding. This way your horse has a way of working out all the bugs and is able to stretch his legs before you get on. Not all horses require being lunged before however. Also, I like to use lunging when I do not have time to ride. This way my horse is able to move around and not standing stationary in his stall all day.
When lunging, it is very important to keep forward motion. You are able to do this by using the “triangle method”. Put the lunge line in your preferred hand and lunge whip in the other. For example, I am right handed, so I would put the lunge line in my right hand and whip in my left. The horse should move forward clock-wise. For your horse to go the other way simply turn your horse around and flip-flop lunge line and whip. This is where the triangle method comes into place. You want to position your right shoulder at your horse’s right shoulder, facing him. Then angle your whip at his hip to drive him forward. This gives you a triangular appearance. You can point in the direction you want your horse to go so he knows to move around you. As your horse increases speed, let out slack in the lunge line. To increase speed, crack the lunge whip and kiss to your horse. It is very hard for the horse to move quickly in small circles, so it is preferred to give your horse as much room as possible. To ask your horse to slow down or stop, drop the whip so his knows you wont be using it anymore. Start pulling on the line to bring the slack by in so he knows to slow down. Once he slows, tell him to woah, and walk out to him still collecting slack.
Keep in mind that for some horses, this is how they blow off steam. If they may buck or kick out, keep an eye out to ensure your safety. Most of the time they are not trying to hurt you, they just want to kick up their heels.
Tools:
-Lunge line
-Halter
-Bridle (optional)
-Surrsingle (optional)
-Lunge whip
-enclosed area (optional)
Lunging your horse is a very important aspect of it’s life. Lunging has many uses and ways it can be used in training. I like to use lunging as a way to let my horse blow off some steam before riding. This way your horse has a way of working out all the bugs and is able to stretch his legs before you get on. Not all horses require being lunged before however. Also, I like to use lunging when I do not have time to ride. This way my horse is able to move around and not standing stationary in his stall all day.
When lunging, it is very important to keep forward motion. You are able to do this by using the “triangle method”. Put the lunge line in your preferred hand and lunge whip in the other. For example, I am right handed, so I would put the lunge line in my right hand and whip in my left. The horse should move forward clock-wise. For your horse to go the other way simply turn your horse around and flip-flop lunge line and whip. This is where the triangle method comes into place. You want to position your right shoulder at your horse’s right shoulder, facing him. Then angle your whip at his hip to drive him forward. This gives you a triangular appearance. You can point in the direction you want your horse to go so he knows to move around you. As your horse increases speed, let out slack in the lunge line. To increase speed, crack the lunge whip and kiss to your horse. It is very hard for the horse to move quickly in small circles, so it is preferred to give your horse as much room as possible. To ask your horse to slow down or stop, drop the whip so his knows you wont be using it anymore. Start pulling on the line to bring the slack by in so he knows to slow down. Once he slows, tell him to woah, and walk out to him still collecting slack.
Keep in mind that for some horses, this is how they blow off steam. If they may buck or kick out, keep an eye out to ensure your safety. Most of the time they are not trying to hurt you, they just want to kick up their heels.