Q&A for How to Lunge a Horse

Lunging a horse serves multiple purposes, primarily establishing control and dominance to convey that you are in charge. It is a tool to demonstrate authority and ensure that the horse recognizes you as the leader. Additionally, lunging is employed to assess the horse's soundness and detect lameness, providing a non-ridden method to evaluate its condition. This technique is useful when considering riding the horse but suspecting potential issues. Furthermore, lunging is valuable for training, facilitating the teaching of voice commands, and preparing the horse for riders. It allows a controlled environment for students to familiarize themselves with riding while maintaining full control of the horse. Moreover, lunging is effective for releasing excess energy in the horse, particularly in situations like horse shows, where the animal may act up or become agitated. By lunging, you can help the horse settle down and exhibit more manageable behavior.

A lunge line for horses is typically around 15 to 30 feet long. Attach one end to the horse's halter, stand in the center of a circular area, and guide the horse using verbal commands and body language. Maintain a consistent tension on the lunge line, communicate cues effectively, and foster a better understanding between the handler and the horse during training sessions.

It depends. If the circle is 20 meters, then you could lunge the horse for about 20 minutes on each rein. If the circle is smaller, like 15 meters, then 15 minutes on each rein will work. Circles are very hard for a horse to maintain, so don't keep your horse going for too long on each rein, otherwise the inside leg will feel too much pressure.

Most of the time, yes. It's not just to get energy out, but to let them know that they are being worked and it's time to get serious. It's also good bonding time for you and your horse.

Your horse should have a 20 to 30 meter (60 to 90 ft.) circle.

Yes, you can use a halter to lunge your horse.

Do it in an arena and see what he is comfortable with. He could probably do alright at a 20 meter circle at all three gaits and a 15 meter circle at a walk and trot. See what's comfortable for him. If he continually is breaking gait, make a larger circle.

Its front inside leg will go out farther than the outside front in canter. In trot, you should check the front outside leg and rise when the leg goes forward.

Give the horse as much line as possible. Don't hold the coiled up line at your side - have it out, pointing the direction you want to go, as if you're guiding your horse. It should feel soft and light.

Use a long whip and whip the ground behind the horse and to stop say "whoa."

Gently tap her with the lunge whip once in a while when she is not moving at all or paying attention. When she starts trotting, keep the whip behind here and shake it a little bit every 5 seconds. Some horses just do better on one side rather than the other, but start slowly on the right side so she gets used to it.

Shank him every time; but it's fine to let him get all the energy out.

You could start at two days old, but be gentle. The foal does not yet know what you are doing to it.

Old enough and strong enough to handle and understand the horse's behavior. Maybe lunging with an adult or experienced teenager would be beneficial to learn the ropes of lunging a 1200-pound animal. When getting started, try lunging something smaller (like a Shetland) so if it does go wrong, you can control the situation easily.

That is dangerous! Get out of the way. This very bad behavior and he does not have respect for you. When your horse does that, try to keep him in a circle and if he charges right at you, hold your ground and make a 'T' with your body and arms and say "Hey-up!" in a commanding voice. If this persists, take your horse to a professional trainer to get the problem fixed.

A long whip. Remember that a whip is only an extension of your hand, not a means of punishment.

Yes, you can canter your horse for short periods of time on the lunge line. Just make sure your circle is big enough, and you are working in good footing. To canter, crack your whip and cluck to your horse. You might need to do a few canter steps yourself so your horse understands.

This happens with my mare. Work on a smaller circle, and don't use a whip. Instead of standing so you are facing the horse's barrel, stand so you are facing the shoulder. This will help "block" the horse's movement. You can also put some "speed bumps" around on your circle, by placing 1-4 poles on the track of your circle. Be sure to reward her when she slows down.

Yes, you can lunge with a saddle. Make sure the stirrups are done up and secured, so they won't flap about and scare or confuse the horse.

It isn't recommended. Side reins have elastic that mimics the riders hand. Regular reins don't have that give, so it would punish the horse for something he naturally has to do, such as sneezing or lowering his head if he trips.

Lunging helps the horses burn off steam, it helps improve your relationship, it helps the horse learn to fix his own mistakes, it provides variety for the horse's training, and allows the rider to see the horses gait from the ground.