Guide to lungeing
When lunging, the horse is moved in a circle around the rider and trained on a long rope – called a lunge in the technical jargon. Especially for young horses that have not yet been broken in, lungeing is used as a first training component to get the horse used to working together with humans and to work on first lessons without being irritated by the saddle or additional rider weight.
However, horses that are already in training also benefit from regular lunge work. One can work on the goals of the training scale and wean off problematic behaviours through sensitive work on the lunge. Especially after illnesses, lungeing is an optimal and gentle re-entry into daily training for the horse. Riding lessons on the lunge line are also usually the first introduction to equestrian sport for riders.
Lungeing is an important part of the training of horse and rider and one comes into contact with the advantages of lungeing again and again in equestrian sport. However, the positive effects of lunge work are only as good as the lunger himself. This is also what the guidelines for riding and driving say about lungeing:
Lungeing requires a high degree of feeling in addition to the correct technique and the appropriate expertise […].
Guidelines for riding and driving „Volume 6 – Lungeing“
In the hands of a sensistive lungeing handler, lungeing can be of great value. However, if it is done incorrectly, as with riding, it can do more harm to the horse than help in its training.
Basics of Lungeing
In order for lungeing to effectively contribute to the horse’s health, it is first and foremost the lungeing handler who is required. Essential basic rules and the correct technique must be learned.
In the following, we will give you a brief overview of the classic structure of a lungeing lesson and important basics in lungeing:
Before lungeing:
- The horse’s and lunge leader’s equipment is correctly buckled, intact and complete
- Training aids are not attached to the bridle rings until just before lungeing in the arena
- If the horse is restless during the preparations, a helper can hold the horse while the bridle is being buckled
Warm-up phase:
- Always start on the horse’s „favourite hand“
- When lungeing at a walk, slowly lengthen the lunge line
- walk for at least 10 minutes
- If the horse is using a bridle, it should be buckled long at the beginning
- Trot-canter-trot transitions
Hand change
The hand change is done either on the hoof or in the middle of the arena. In addition to buckling the lunge line (if a cavesson is not used), the rest of the equipment is checked and girthed. When changing hands on the hoof, the horse performs a forehand turn, in the middle of the arena it is changed through the circle.
After the warm-up phase the horse should walk in time and be relaxed in all gaits.
Working phase:
- If the bridle reins were long in the warm-up phase, they are shortened in the working phase
- The set goals are worked on through exercises to improve technique, e.g. change of pace, etc
Relaxation phase:
- Loose rounds of strides without or with extended harnesses for at least 5-10 minutes
- Pulse and breathing rate normalise
Accessories – what do I need for lungeing?
Special equipment is sometimes required for working on the lunge. In addition to the classic lunging accessories, some requirements should be met. For example, lunge handlers should wear sturdy shoes and gloves. In addition, care should be taken to ensure that the lunge cannot get caught on protruding parts of clothing (e.g. spurs, jacket that is too long) or get caught.
The list of accessories refers to the basic equipment for lunge work. The equipment can be extended under certain circumstances depending on the level of training of the horse and the lunger.
| Accessories | Whats do I have to pay attention to? |
|---|---|
| Lunge whip | – total length between 4 and 8 m – flexible stick (approx. 1.80 m long) – Whip made of leather or rubber/silicone The whip should be replaced as soon as it is no longer intact. Knots should be removed regularly. |
| Lunge | – minimum length 7 m – strong and durable material (usually webbing) – with hand loop – should lie easily in the hand – with snap hook |
| Snaffle or cavesson bridle | Snaffle – for lungeing without reins – as the snaffle acts directly on the mouth via bit, lungeing with a snaffle is recommended for trained and permeable horses Cavesson: – the lunge is always strapped in the middle ring – a snaffle can also be used underneath (ideally: Hanoverian noseband) – works through the nasal bone and is recommended for young horses or horses that are sensitive in the mouth |
| Lungeing girth | – enables flexible buckling of the auxiliary reins thanks to the rings – made of leather or girth material – is used with a lungeing girth pad or saddle rug – should be padded so that the withers remain free |
| Training aids | Training aids should always be chosen according to the respective training level of horse and lunger and must always be buckled and used correctly! Side reins: – 2 reins of approx. 1.50 m each – are attached to the snaffle ring and the lungeing girth – side reins with rubber rings are useful for inexperienced horses Walking reins: – 2 reins of approx. 2,50 m each – both ends are attached to the lungeing girth and passed through the bridle rind to form a triangle – the height of the buckle depends on the training goal Not recommended for permanent use and only to be used by experienced lunge trainers: – Triangle reins – Chambon – Gogue |