Lunging horses – why bother? Part 1
A photo of me lunging, 25 yrs ago. Which prompted me to share an article I wrote, more recently for Can, Horse Journals… “Lunging horses – why bother?” Part 1
Leaving the lunge line in the tack room seems logical when time’s limited. For many riders, lunging is an unnecessary step, even an awkward one – less control than just getting on and “riding the bugs out”. For others, lunging is just plain boring. Moreover, a misbehaving horse on the lunge is embarrassing at a horse show and a safety concern to others sharing the arena.
Yet, I’m a believer in the positive effects of lunging, both for the horse and for the rider. It’s worth pushing through the awkwardness and perfecting the skill!
LUNGING BENEFITS THE RIDER.
I’ve learned so much about horses by watching them – from the paddock fence, or the horse show rail or the view from the saddle. I’ve watched countless horses revolving around me on a lunge line. I’ve 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 don’t read horse well. – they’ve skipped the groundwork necessary to pick up the subtleties of horse language. I’ve noted a key distinction between riding and horsemanship – having a good grasp of ground control. “Horsemen” have well-timed pressure and release. They read a horse’s inclinations and movements and are readable in return.
For me, lunging has tuned my eye in comparing the movement of hundreds of assorted horses, evaluating strengths and weaknesses in their ways of going. As a teller who handles countless “sound” bills is quick to detect a counterfeit, it’s in studying the profile of a lot of sound horses that 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 only winds up a prey animal like a top.
And, not to be underestimated, lunging has kept me safe! I won’t climb aboard a horse that’s 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, I’m setting the horse up to ignore my signals like a Mom who tries to talk to her teen about his exam study plans at Wonderland. Allowing a horse to ignore your cues is teaching your horse to ignore your cues.
Stay tuned for Part 2, How Lunging Benefits the Horse
