Lunging Horses - Why Bother?

Leaving the lunge line in the tack room seems logical when time is of the essence. Skipping extra steps is compatible with our instant society. For many riders lunging seems like an unnecessary step an awkward feeling of having less control than just getting on and riding the bugs out. For others lunging is just plain boring. A misbehaving horse on the lunge is embarrassing at a horse show and a menace to others sharing the arena. And isnt lunging stressful for the horses legs?
I feel very strongly about the positive effects of lunging both for the horse and for the rider. Its worth pushing through the awkwardness and perfecting the skill!

Lunging Benefits for the Rider 
Ive learned so much about horses by watching them from the paddock fence or the horse show rail or the view from the saddle. Ive watched countless horses revolving around me on a lunge line. Ive learned to read horse by studying the subtleties of body language and facial expression noting signs of tension distraction and relaxation.
Surprisingly many capable riders dont read horse well theyve skipped the groundwork necessary to pick up the subtleties of horse language. Ive noted a key distinction between riding and horsemanship having a good grasp of ground control. Horsemen have welltimed pressure and release. They read a horses inclinations and movements and are readable in return.
For me lunging has tuned my eye through comparing the movement of hundreds of assorted horses evaluating strengths and weaknesses in their ways of going. Like a teller who handles countless sound bills is quick to detect a counterfeit by studying the profile of a lot of sound horses even a subtle lameness will be noted by the rider who lunges. Such minor unsoundness may be missed under saddle.
More than a chance to blow off steam lunging is an extension of your training. In fact research and experience attest that letting a horse rip around and get it out of his system is counterproductive and because hes a prey animal it only winds him up like a top.
Lunging has kept me safe! I wont climb aboard a horse thats distracted resistant to pressure or way too fresh. In short I want him to be mentally ready to answer yes to my every request by the time I mount up. Otherwise Im setting the horse up to ignore my signals like a mother who tries