Lunging is the movement, training and gymnastics of a horse where it walks in a circle on a lead around the lunger. The line is called a lunge and serves as a connection between the horse and the lunger. If you want to lunge your horse, it is important that you have learned this beforehand from a professional and that you do it correctly so as not to harm the horse.
We explain how to lunge your horse correctly, what lunging is good for, what equipment you need for it and what you should pay attention to.
You lunge a horse correctly by making it lean on the cavesson at any pace, lowering its head and arching its back. Lunging a horse correctly is important in order not to harm the horse physically, but to help it in its movements.
Lunging with a cavesson is the best way to lunge the horse optimally, as it has enough rings on the noseband to attach the lunge here, but sits tighter than a halter and thus cannot slip back and forth.
The cavesson offers different ways to attach the lunge, such as on the respective sides and on top of the nose ring. The upper variant has the advantage that you do not have to change the lunge from one side to the other when changing direction.
A halter is a better option for lunging than a snaffle, as the lunge line is not attached to the bit, but because of the loose fit it could slip unnoticed into the eye on the opposite side of the head during lunging, which can be unpleasant for the horse.
Furthermore, with the halter you do not have good control over the horse, which could therefore break away more easily. Accordingly, a knotted halter is also not well suited.
Lunging with a bridle, such as triangle reins, is a good way to train a horse to make forward-downward movements. They also give the horse a frame and prevent the outside position on the lunge.
However, if your horse knows the forward-downward movements and the way to go downhill, you should refrain from lunging with a halter so that the horse finds the right position himself and is not forced into it.
Lunging the horse with a double lunge offers a good possibility to frame the horse, because you can influence the horse not only with the inner but also with the outer lunge. However, correct lunging on the double lunge should be learned from a trainer and practised correctly.
Both horse and rider should have gained enough experience on the single lunge before working with the double lunge.
Lunging builds up the horse's muscles, promotes looseness and gives the horse better balance. By walking in circles, the back muscles are trained and developed more due to the stretching.
It also gives the rider the opportunity to compensate for problems that have occurred with the saddle, without the saddle and rider's weight, as well as to create better interaction between man and horse. Young horses can also slowly get used to the saddle, snaffle and various commands with the lunge.
You need the following equipment to lunge horses.
Horse equipment:
Equipment rider:
When lunging a horse, certain aspects must be observed in order not to harm oneself or the horse. These aspects are listed below.
Holding the lunge correctly is very important when lunging in order to be able to establish an optimal connection with the horse. Hold the lunge in the left or right hand according to the walking direction and take the lunge whip in the other hand. While lunging, always keep your arms in a V position so that a V is formed between the lunge arm and the whip arm. This gives you the best control over the horse.
You should also hold the lunge like the reins in order to give finer aids and to be able to guide the lunge better. The hand should always be soft and not give jerky aids. Under no circumstances should you hold the lunge in a closed fist or wrap it around your hand, as this can lead to serious injuries.
Always wear riding gloves when lunging to have a better grip on the one hand and to avoid burns on the hand on the other hand.
If you use a bridle, it should not be tied too tightly so that the horse's head is not lowered very low and its movements are not restricted. The forehead-nose line should be in front of the vertical so that a forward-downward movement can be guaranteed.
In order to be able to train the horse's forward-downward movements without a harness, there are a number of gymnastic exercises to be able to stretch the trunk and back muscles and thus improve the posture on the lunge.
This takes a little longer and cannot be achieved overnight, but it pays off in the end by making it easier for the horse to balance and for the muscles to develop better. After a certain time, the horse will automatically move forward-downward.
The lunge line is basically the substitute for the inside rein when riding. Accordingly, the lunge leads the horse on the arc of a circle on the one hand and can also place it on the other. It should always be a composition of accepting and yielding the lunge.
Although the whip is the driving force in lunging, it should not go beyond touching the hind legs, belly or shoulder. The lunge whip is always held in the outside hand.
When you start lunging, it is important to warm up the horse beforehand. Just like riding, you should lead your horse at a walking pace for 15-20 minutes to warm up its joints and muscles.
When lunging, a horse should not run in one direction for too long in order not to put too much strain on one side. For this reason, regular changes of direction should be incorporated into the training.
Lunging is a perfect way to strengthen the horse's back muscles, improve balance and practice forward-downward movement. However, lunging should not be underestimated.
Correct lunging must be practised and learned sensibly so that accidents or injuries for horse and rider can be avoided. Have a professional show you how to lunge and possibly read additional reference books.
Just like you, your horse must first learn to walk on the lunge line. Young horses in particular have difficulties keeping their balance in a circle at first and require patience. With correctly placed impulses and aids you can support your horse in lunging.
EN 
DE 