How to Train a Horse to Free Lunge

Lunging is an exercise to help horses get used to taking directions from riders without the rider actually on their back. It involves the rider getting the horse to move around in a circle to help the horse find balance without the weight of the rider, teach the horse different vocal commands and develop communication between horse and rider. "Free" lunging is lunging without the rider holding a line attached to the bit. Generally speaking, it is best for the horse to know how to lunge on the line before taking the line off to free lunge.

Things You'll Need

  • Circular enclosure
  • Lunge whip
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Instructions

    • 1

      Teach the horse to lunge on the line before free lunging. Lunging on the line involves following all of the directions for free lunging, except the rider holds a length of line attached to the horse's bit to provide greatly increased guidance. Lunging on the line will show the horse what is expected of it when it hears vocal commands. Teaching a horse to ride off the line is more a test of that vocal and body language command.

    • 2

      Find an appropriate place to free lunge the horse. While regular lunging only requires open space due to the fact the horse is tied to the rider, you should look for a circular enclosed space in which to free lunge your horse to prevent the horse from going too far off track. Remove any twigs or obstacles from the horse's path.

    • 3

      Take the horse to a designated start point and say "Whoa" to get it to stand still while you walk toward the center of the circular enclosure.

    • 4

      Decide on a direction. Teaching the horse to move in both directions at the same time is often confusing for the horse and doesn't work as well as focusing on one at a time.

    • 5

      Position yourself slightly behind the horse's shoulder while still remaining near the center of the ring in order to encourage him to move forward. In free lunging, position is a big factor in horse obedience. When the horse knows you are slightly behind it, it is more likely to walk forward.

    • 6

      Tell the horse "walk" and use a lunge whip to guide the horse's direction. You can either wave it in the direction you want the horse to go or snap it to reinforce your vocal command. Never use the whip to actually hit the horse.

    • 7

      Walk in a small circle in the center of the ring following the horse slightly, always remaining just behind the horse's shoulder.

    • 8

      Keep the lunge whip pointed in the direction you want to go. Repeat your command as needed a few times to keep the horse going.

    • 9

      Increase the gait speed after warming the horse up. Say "trot" or "canter" whenever you feel the horse is ready to learn the new speed. You may have to jog or walk more quickly in the center as the horse moves around you.

    • 10

      Slow down the horse by moving your body forward and saying "slooooow" or "callllllm."

    • 11

      Reverse the direction by putting your body ahead of the shoulder line and saying "whoa." Once the horse has stopped, say "reverse" and point the whip in the other direction. Put your body ahead of the shoulder line until the horse reverses its direction.

    • 12

      Stop lunging the horse after 20 or 30 minutes. The exercise, when performed for too long, can stress the horse's joints.