Lunging Horses: Using a Lunge Line and Whip for Equestrian Training and Exercise

Lunging refers to a training or exercise rountine during which the trainer stand sstill and the horse lopes, trots, or walks around the trainer in a circle. Lunging teaches the horse to calm down and pay attention to the trainer while building a strong relationship.

You can lunge your horse with a long lead rope, but a lunge line allows more room to experiment. A nylon lunge line works fine, although there are more expensive versions. Using a lunge line is safer for your hands, since regular cotton lead ropes often give rope burns.

Use a lunge whip as a long tool to cue him. When the horse tries to stop, to turn around, to come toward you, or to un away, the whip will reinforce the limits.

Lunging Exercises

Start your horse on a short length of line. Let some of the line out and step back, urging your horse to move around you in one direction. If the horse is confused, be patient and use the whip and the hand holding the lunge line to urge him forward. Lead him around you with your hand, moving it in the correct direction.

When the horse is following correctly, let him know with your tone of voice that he's doing the right thing. Allow him to walk around you in several complete circles before increasing speed. As your horse continues to trot around you, experiment by changing directions.

Raise the hand holding the lunge line to stop the horse and communicate clearly what is wanted. When the horse stops, urge him toward you then once a foot away ask him to stop and offer a reward.