How do you lunge a horse?

Question

I am going to lunge my horse tomorrow, to try and teach him to listen to what i want him to do. But i dont know how to do it. He has been lunged before, (but not by me) so he knows what to do. How do you get the horse to speed up and slow down? Can you lunge over trotting poles, because i want to get him used to them, as toady when i was riding him, he jumped them and put his head down after them!

Answer 1

Yes you can lunge with the line attached to the bridle/bit but dont just clip the line to the bit. Since you havent lunged him before I would rig it like a gag bit incase he gets naughty. After that you can attach it to the bottom of the nose band. To rig it like a gag bit: (you need an english bridle with a normal bit = no twisted wire/chan/any other evil bit)

1) Take the clip end of the line and run it through the ring on the side of the bit.

2) Run it under the leather straps and over the top of the bridle (behind the ears). My line normally rests on the bridle strap that runs behind the ears (cant remember the name)

3) Run the line down the other side of the bridle (under the straps) and clip it ring of the bit.

4) Everything should lay flat. E-mail me if you dont get what I am saying and I will look for a pic to describe it better.

I like starting this way cause some will act up and it reminds them to listen to the line/person.

To speed up: Say Tr-OT or Can-TER and a flik of the whip will usually do it. Put inflection on the end of the words. You could also try clicking/tacking a step toward their butt/snaping the whip/pointing the whip at their butt (some need a poke in the butt to listen) dont hit him with the whip though.

To slow down: Say wa-LK or easy/woah and lower the whip/drop it. Taking steps toward their head (as if to block their path without actually getting infront of them) will make most stop or at least slow down unless they are mindlessly galloping

I would keep the first couple lunging sessions short and without extras (jumps/poles/ect) Just work on developing your skill at lunging and working on his commands. Once you get better you can try lunging over poles and jumps. Good Luck!

Answer 2

I couldn't even stand to finish reading those answers.  Do not BY ANY MEANS try the "gag bit" thing.. that's probably the dumbest thing I've ever heard.  99% of people just lunge horses in halters, if you need more control, use a halter and a chain..

If he is trained to lunge, just hold his head in one hand, the whip in the other, and encourage him to move forward in the direction you want.  Then let out the line as he goes away from you.. not too far until you get the hang of it, full use of the line can be over-whelming at first.

Most horses trot to a "click" just like if you were riding him.  If not, crack the whip as you "click" and ask him to "trot"... Don't actually whip the horse.    To canter, a "kiss" should do it, again you can use the whip as reinforcement, but never actually whip him.

Always stay in line with the horse's hips, to encourage movement forward and keep control.  You'll find yourself walking in a circle about 7 or 8 ft in diameter if you're horse is going in a 40 or so ft diameter.

I wouldn't suggest lunging in a bit, bits are meant for collection and guidance while mounted.  The only time my horses are lunged in a bit, is without reins attached, or anything for that matter.. Free-lunging in a roundpen to warm up before a ride.

Hope this helps!!!!

Answer 3

Hi!!

DO NOT please under any circumstances tie your horse down from the bit!!

This is a very bad habit a lot of people try and it only works adversely on the movement and cramps the back.

Lunge your horse either from a caveson or the bridle, If from the bridle, you can clip the lungerein onto the outside ring of a snaffle bit, run it over his head and through the inside ring of the snaffle. This will give you control if he is strong. Bandage his legs front and back or use boots. PLEASE WEAR A HELMET. You don't know how your horse will react the first time, and I have seen many accidents happen when a horse rears and strikes with the front legs or the person being kicked when bending down to pick up a dropped lunge whip.

Don't do any thing more until you have more experience, so to easily you can ruin a good horse with too many gadgets.

Horse will understand slowing comands when you drop your voice on the second sylabel of the command. Eg Wa-alk. (with the "alk" in a deeper tone) and commands to go faster if you raise your voice on the second sylabel (Trrr-ot or Trot-on). and support the faster commands with raising your lunge whip to pointing at the quarters. If you need a slight flick the ok, but don't touch the horse with it. He will then shoot forward and you could lose control.

Don't lunge on a tight circle, use almost all the length if the lunge rein.

With experience you will discover what your horse needs and don't fel shy about asking for help.

Good Luck