Groundwork
Beginner
15 min
Basic Lunging at Walk and Trot at the Walk
Focus: Communication, Fitness, Obedience
Equipment: Lunge line, Lunge whip, Halter or lunging cavesson
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Attach the lunge line to the halter or cavesson. Stand in the center of a 20-meter circle.
- Hold the lunge line in your leading hand (the hand closest to the horse's head) and the lunge whip in your trailing hand.
- Send the horse out to the circle at the walk using your body language and voice: cluck and point the whip toward the haunches.
- Walk on the circle for 3-4 minutes. The horse should maintain the circle size and walk rhythm.
- Transition to walk: raise the whip slightly and use a verbal 'walk' command.
- Walk for 3-4 minutes, then bring back to walk with 'walk' and a gentle half-halt on the lunge line.
- Change direction and repeat. Always work equally on both sides.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- The horse pulling outward and making the circle too large.
- Standing in one spot instead of turning with the horse, creating a pivot point.
- Waving the whip aggressively, scaring the horse instead of guiding it.
- Not changing direction, over-working one side of the horse.
Variations & Progressions
- Add canter transitions once the walk-trot work is smooth.
- Incorporate ground poles on the circle for foot awareness.
- Add voice commands for gait changes to develop verbal responsiveness.
Tip: Your body position drives the lunge. Face the horse's shoulder, not its head. Point the whip at the haunches to drive forward.
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