Roundpen or lunge line |
Roundpen or lunge line |
The lunge line , a very important tool if used correctly. It should be controlled by one hand and held in loops by the other.To begin, the young horse may not want to move or it will only want to run. Start your horse in a small area with a long lunge line and a lunge whip. Hook the line to the halter ( sometimes you may use a small chain) and lead your horse in a circle at first. Slowly begin to work your way beside the horse and use the whip to incourage the horse to continue to move forward. You should try to aline your movements slightly behind the horses movements . The horse should move away from you. Once you have some distance between you and the horse aline your movement behind the horses movement. When you want the horse to stop or slow down then aline your movement slightly if front of the horse and give the command you want (whoa,trot, or walk) at the same time pull on the lunge line in small jerks. Work with your horse in both directions for a combined time of twenty to thirty minutes, this will build muscle, stamina, condition,as well as aid in training. The horse on the left is already familar with comands learned by lungeing on the line and is now being free lunged. It is still important to aline your movements behind to move the horse forward and in front of to slow or stop the horse. |
