How to Longe a Horse Without a Round Pen

Round pens are a relatively recent invention and not at all necessary in longeing (also "lungeing") a horse. Before round pens, horses were longed in their own pastures or in the riding arena. It is essential that a horse knows the basics of longeing in order to help with balance, coordination and letting of excess energy. Please be sure your horse leads well and is halter broken before attempting longeing.

Things You'll Need

  • Comfortable weather-resistant shoes
  • Longe line of at least 20 feet in length
  • Halter or longeing cavesson
  • Human helper (optional but recommended)
  • Riding gloves (optional but recommended)
  • Lunging whip (optional)
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Instructions

    • 1

      Get ready for longeing. Wear comfortable, weather-resistant shoes because you will doing a lot of running about. Although longeing ropes are soft, they can sometimes leave blisters, so wearing riding gloves may help. Fit your horse with a halter or, preferably, a cavesson, where you can attach the longe line on top of the horse's nose. Get a helper if possible, because the fastest way to teach a horse how to longe is with a helper.

    • 2

      Lead the horse to an area where you can make a 30-foot to 60-foot circle. Clip the longe line to the side nearest to you. If you have a helper, she can lead the horse to the edge of the circle while you stay in the center, moving with the horse's shoulder. While the horse makes a large circle around you, you make a smaller circle in the center. After a few times at the walk, the helper can leave. The horse usually gets the idea of where he needs to be.

    • 3

      After five minutes of walking in circles, cluck as you would while riding. If you have a whip, lightly flick it behind (but not on) the horse's hindquarters. The helper may need to come back and jog next to the horse to get him moving into a trot. Go five minutes at a trot and then five minutes at a canter. Just the helper waving her arms can encourage the horse to canter.

    • 4

      Bring the horse to the circle's center. Change the horse's direction so he will be going circles in the other direction. Do any longe line adjustments if necessary. Repeat Steps 2 and 3 going in this new direction. The total longeing session should be about a half hour.

    • 5

      End the session with a walk. Make sure the horse is cool, praise him and put him away.