Tips for longeing...?

Question

I've longed/lunged a horse a few times, once the owner had a surcingle/side reins/bridle on and i really didn't like that.... the other few times have just been a lunge line attached to halter.

I'm looking to do just simple longeing, nothing major or extensive which is why I feel no need for a surcingle or side reins or anything... but I am looking for some tips to help me communicate better with the horse and keep him moving. I will be working with a horse who has had extremely little work or training within the past year, so I realize there will be a lot of frustration as he challenges me. I have however bonded quite closely with him so we'll see how he reacts.

I tend to get a little caught up in things when handling a longe line with whip, but it will probably be needed to keep him moving... I suppose I could use the loose end and twirl it (vertical) but would this communicate well along with voice? I just need general tips for longeing, what you found worked best ect. THANK YOU

Answer 1

Longeing and long-reining can be extremely dangerous, so make sure you have a professional, or someone with a lot of experience, with you the first few times you do it.  I knew a horse who once spooked while long-reining.  It got tangled up it the reins, jumped threw the indoor ring window into the viewing room, and fell through the floor.  The horse was okay, but it wasn't a pretty sight.

I always make sure I carry a whip when I longe a horse, even if the horse goes nicely without one.  You really have no control over the horse while longeing, so if the horse got fresh and started kicking, you will want the whip to keep the horse away from you (trust me on this--it's no fun to be charged at).  

Always keep the whip active by bouncing it when you want forward motion.  Crack it if you want the horse to speed up, and put in down when you want the horse to stop.  Never hit the horse with it unless he charges you.  You can also use the whip to keep the horse from creeping in.  Point and flick it at his side if he starts making the circle smaller.

Also, I like to use voice commands (like clucking and whoa, etc.) before the whip.  It's nicer to the horse and helps keep him in tune to you.

Finally, never longe your horse for too long, and make sure the circle is big enough if you ask for the canter.  It gets tiring on their legs.

It just takes practice to work out the longe line and the whip and everything--but you'll get the hang of it.

Edit:  It is okay to gently tap the horse to get him to move out of your space.  However, I really try to avoid it.  Try the other things first.  If you're having problems go back to ground work with a rope halter.  Use a fiber glass stick or something to rythmically tap your horse with gradually increasing pressure.  Make him back out of your space.

Answer 2

I wrap the flexible part of the longe whip around the sturdy whip stick/base, so that it doesn't fly around and possibly spook the horse or hit it. That way, I have a big stick and just imagine it as an extension of my arm. Longing is a great way to teach a horse vocal commands - for example, say trot, then twirl the whip a bit. The horse should begin to trot, and eventually will learn that once you say "trot" if they start trotting right away, they can avoid that weird whip thing. I found a mix of vocal commands and whip worked best, because my horse keeps moving better and learns vocal commands while I'm at it. Good luck.

Answer 3

Firstly, decide what you are trying to accomplish..is it exercise, is it teaching commands, is it teaching a way of moving?  Once you have made that decision, you then lunge accordingly.   Don't make it so complicated. Carry a lunging whip....doesn't mean that you have to use it, but if you don't have it, you will surely need it.  use your body position to move your horse forward, in other words, if your horse is slowing down, you sense that it is wanting to stop, step towards his back end...no, not directly towards his back end, towards the parrell of his back end, and so forth,.you can completely control a horse this way with only your body positioning if you will pay attention at all times.  One other thing, if you carry a whip, and you need it, use it, don't pop it behind your horse or try to pop his back legs or feet, or you will teach it to kick before you teach it to lunge.  Be patient and use your common sense...don't get caught up in the details and just do it.

Answer 4

I disagree with a few things mentioned above. I don't believe that its ever acceptable to touch a horse with the whip while lunging. The whip is simply an extension of your arm that can keep the horse on the circle. No horse likes a giant whip that close to them but when they come to realize that it will not be used against them, they relax when being lunged. The second you touch a horse with the whip while lunging him, you have made being lunged a negative experience  for him, and he wont take kindly to it in the future. I would also never crack a whip when lunging a horse, or wave it directly at them. Your horse should respond to a simple raising, and lowering of the whip. Also keep in mind that cracking or waving a whip could severely spook other horses that might be around you while your lunging, putting their riders or handlers in danger--be courteous when lunging. I also disagree that you should always have a whip while lunging if it isn't necessary. I have gotten my horse to the point where i can lunge him easily with only my arm as guidance. When i raise it and extend it towards him, he goes faster, and when i lower it, he slows down (accompanied by appropriate voice commands). This is not dangerous because my horse respects the authority that my arm has over him just as much as a whip. Remember that while your lunging your horse--never ask him for a gait that is faster than you feel you can control him at from the ground. When you lose control of your horse while lunging him it's alot harder, and sometimes scarier, to regain then it would be while your on his back.

I hope that helps!

Answer 5

I think your origional question was answered well by the above posts.

You asked in the edit if it was ok to lightly tap the horse or throw the line at him a bit.

We I lunge a horse that doesnt want to move away from me or move at all I will touch him with the tip or the whip. If he refuses to move out (and is close enough) I will give him a poke behind the girth along with my other commands to move out. If you have to set towards him to reach I wouldnt do it though. I also will tap their butt to get their attention (not hit him just get him listening) if they are ignoring my move out and go command. It may not be 'right' to touch them with it but it is necessary sometimes. I think the rule was intended to keep people from hitting their horses with the stick or lash to make them go. As for throwing the line/lash, I get what you mean but I find it better to make the whip crack behind their heels. They listen to it better and you dont run the risk of getting it wraped in their legs.