subject: Lunging Your Horse: Part 1 [print this page] Lunging Your Horse: Part 1 Lunging Your Horse: Part 1
Lungeing is a valuable horse training tool for all riding disciplines. This fundamental exercise may be most discussed training technique on horse websites all over the internet. Of course, it's important to start carefully and easily with this exercise. null This isn't to say an senior horse would not benefit from longeing, but generally speaking you are starting this with a younger horse.
First and foremost, the horse must know what is being asked of them and in time, both of you need to be on the same page while "communicating" with each other. Longeing is a path to begin creating a rapport with your horse and start teaching her to move and respond properly. It's key to remember that roundpen training can teach your horse a lot more than just running in circles. Why? Because it sets up the pecking order between handler and horse by controlling the horse's space. In other words, it shows the horse who's in charge. It also helps to condition your horse no matter what their age.
Pecking order communication starts with your horse reading your body language and vice versa. Over time, and with lots of patience, the horse learns to wait for your signals rather than run like a basket case around in tight little circles. Once commands are learned on the ground, it makes them easier for the horse to comprehend while you are on the horse.
And why the circle? The circle naturally encourages your horse to use his legs correctly, pick up his feet and place them properly. And, as soon as you reach the stage where you bit your horse, it teaches them to give to the bit. Of course you will have already done your prior ground-work with the horse to teach them to give in the poll and drop their head to pressure. You will have schooled them give to the bit sideways (to the left and right) and down, with the least amount of pressure. Again with horses, the least amount of pressure to get a response is the best (and this definitely depends on the horse) and in small learning increments.
Don't take short cuts or rush though groundwork. There's a reason that lunging is recommended more than any other exercise on popular horse websites.
