Sometimes you may need to use a lunge line in order to exercise your horse or to teach lessons. This can be a bit nerve-racking for both you and your horse if it is his first time.

In this video, you will see D’Artagnan during his first time on a lunge line. Adding tack for the first time added a new dimension which called for a calm relaxed demeanor.

Before you start by adding a lunge line to your routine, make sure that your horse is calm and relaxed. You both need to be focused and ready to start something new.

Then gently ask your horse to leave your side and move away from you. You just need to ask for some space and have him go out to wherever you feel safe. While holding the lunge line as your horse walks out and around you, try to keep the line off the ground, but not too tight. This will mean that you need to constantly be taking it in and out in order to get a ‘feel’ for the perfect spot. If the line is on the ground for a short time be careful that you nor your horse step on it.

More importantly, don’t keep the line tight so your horse feels as if he is fighting with you. This is something you two are working on together. Be patient and take it slowly.

Work at a walk to start out. This way the two of you can learn each other’s vocal cues and body language. The main purpose is to get your horse to walk in a circle at a consistent pace – not too slow or too fast. You pick the pace you feel comfortable with.

Once your horse is walking nicely at a good pace, add a stop to the lesson. You can use your words “stop”, “halt”, “whoa”, or whatever your cue for a stop is. Also, focus on your body language to match your vocal cues. This will really help you refine your cues and your horse learn how you communicate.

Note:

Keep your horse going in the same direction while you are starting off on the lunge line. This way he learns what you are asking and gets comfortable with your cues on one side before he needs to change sides. If your horse tries to change the direction, just ask him to turn around and continue as you started.

Once your horse is going at a nice relaxed, steady pace and he is listening to you, then stop and try it on the other side. Follow the same guidelines on the second side as you did the first. That means start at a walk, then add a stop when the pace is good.

You can also add a “wait” as I did at the end of the lesson. This is something fun that the two of you can share together. Just be slow, calm, and patient.

How to Start a Horse on a Lunge Line

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