How to Lunge Train Your Horse

Halter the Horse

To lunge your horse, it should be outfitted with a lunging cavesson or a sturdy halter. A cavesson is not a necessity and many horses are trained to lunge without one. Do not lunge with the lunge line attached to a bit or hackamore.

Enter the Ring

Lead your horse to the ring or arena. Place your horse where you want it to travel, and walk to the center of the circle you want your horse to work on.

Hold the Lunge Line and Whip

If your horse will be working to the left, hold the lunge line in your left hand and your lunge whip in your right. When your horse is traveling in a circle to the right, the lunge line will be held in the right hand and the whip in your left.

Hold the line and the whip so that they are the sides of a triangle and you are the apex of the triangle. Your horse will be the base of the triangle. Both of your arms should be bent at the elbow and you should be standing relaxed.

Walk the Horse

Ask your horse to "walk." It's important to help your horse understand your voice aids by using the same tone and inflection each time for each cue. Most people use a low drawn-out "whooooaaaaa" for halt and sharp energetic words for walk, trot, and canter.

Maintain the Circle

As your horse moves off on the circle, you will be holding the lunge line up not dragging on the ground. Keep elbows bent and the whip pointed at the horse's hocks. Remember to maintain the triangle.