Lunge Lesson #1- Teaching footwork

Why use the Lunge Line?

The lunge line is one of those training tools that elicits lots of opinions on it's uses and misuses. There are some horse trainers that do not know how to function without a lunge line close at hand. There are other horse trainers that believe lunge lines are dangerous and stupefying. I have tried to hear out all of the opinions and draw my own conclusion as it relates to the way I train my horses. I have found the lunge line a handy tool for two specific jobs- allowing horses to learn something without having to contend with the interference of the rider; and to teach a rider to feel or learn something without having to contend with controlling the horse. The lunge line, like any training tool, can be overused; but used in moderation and with a clear purpose, the lunge line can be instrumental in the teaching crucial basics to horse and rider.

It came to my attention during my rides this week that several of the horse's were struggling with their rhythm and balance at the canter. This is not unusual or unexpected in a young horse, but I found myself using my hands more than I wanted. When working them over poles, the struggle became exacerbated and the horses seemed to become frustrated and worried. This seems to be a common setback with each horse and I have found that these are the times when the lunge line is invaluable.

The Basic Set Up

I have a simple routine and use the same equipment most times that I put a horse on the lunge. When I lunge a horse it is a lesson unto itself, therefore I rarely lunge in a saddle. It is very rare that I lunge a horse to prepare him to ride. I usually have a plan of things I want to accomplish on the lunge that usually takes 30 minutes. I was once told that every minute on a lunge line is like 2 minutes of regular work. This is a good rule of thumb and I almost never work beyond an hour in any ride, or 30 minutes on the lunge. When my rides extend beyond an hour it's usually because I can't seem to get something worked out; and I probably need to quit because I am just beating myself and the horse up.

I use the horse's normal bridle, a surcingle over a saddle pad, and the "neck stretcher" or chambon depending on what muscle groups I am trying to emphasize. I also put front boots and frequently back boots on as well. I rarely use side reins because of the dangers of a horse overreacting and rearing in the side reins. But I have conservatively used them in the past. For now, however, I am not typically working on the horse's frame on the lunge line, I just want to create a soft resistance that encourages the horse to use his back and the chambon or neck stretcher work well without being restrictive. I am very cautious of creating any sort of brace or rigidity in a horse and I find that certain training aids can cause this because the horse is not allowed to naturally use his neck to find his balance. In addition to this basic tack, I add the lunge line and a lunge whip. (I normally use a flat web or nylon lunge. I have had to use a chain on an unruly stallion but in general, I don't recommend a chain on the normal lunge line).

I almost forgot, I always have a watch with a stop watch to keep track of time. This may seem unnecessary but the dangers of overworking a young horse on the lunge line are too great not to keep track of time. Also, I use the stop watch to keep track of the length of time I stay in a gait in one direction. I want to change directions approximately every 5 minutes. This keeps the horse's development comparable on both sides and keeps the lunge work from getting too dull.

My routine usually begins with a minimum of 3 minutes of the horse walking. The lunge line is hooked to the nearside of the bit and as the horse walks I try to use a light hand aid to encourage the horse to give in it's jaw and neck, all the while pointing/ driving the horse's hip out on the circle with the lunge whip. The walk is a very neglected gait both in lunge work and riding. I do not recommend trying to control the rhythm of the walk because there are many problems that can get created. However, watching the walk and observing the horse's back and movement will help you see where there is bracing being created in the riding. Also, I work a lot on pushing the hip laterally out on the circle and teaching the horse to step under. This work on the ground will translate later into lateral work where the whip is replaced by the rider's leg.

I usually trot my horse both directions for approximately 3 minutes without or very loose resistance from the neck stretcher or chambon. Often times the horses are quick at first. I do not jerk on the bit but talk softly trying to encourage the horse to relax and slow its rhythm. Once I have trotted both directions I will do a few circles of canter both ways. This usually occupies the first 10 minutes of my work. I do not worry much with the rhythm or frame of the horse during this time except to talk softly to a nervous, quick horse. I mostly focus my attention on observation of where the horse struggles on the circle, quickens, bends out or in. If the horse is lazy, then I keep the horse close enough on the circle to touch them with the whip, and send them out into a larger circle when they are in the correct gait. However, be careful that you are out of range of the hind feet when using the whip (that's why that whip lash is long). I have seen several unexpected hind feet way too close. If the horse is dangerously fast, slipping and careening around, I keep the circle very small and only work on the walk and trot.

Getting Down to Business

As I stated in the beginning, my lunge exercises this week are about canter balance and footwork. For this I use 1-2 cavaletti or ground poles (preferably 4x4s that do not roll easily) are also useful. I do most of my lunge work in a round pen with a 70' diameter and a light base of crush and run footing (89/10). The size of the round pen is relevant in that I can set up the cavaletti or poles and still have a 25' circle that can utilize or skip the cavaletti depending on how the horse is going. For my purposes in working on the canter I put the cavaletti approximately 11' apart on an angle (the inside distance of the poles is approximately 9.5' and the outside is 12') and I put them on the lowest level (the top of the pole no more than 4" off the ground). I go back to the trot, which has hopefully settled a bit and begin to work trot and canter transitions with a focus on improving the horses balance. At this time my circle does not include the cavaletti.

The trot and canter transitions improve the horse's balance at both gaits. The horse generally has the most balanced steps of canter just after the transition from the trot. I watch for when the balance changes and that is when I return back to the trot which often times may be quick in the first few steps but is also more open-strided with freedom of movement. The horse often recognizes the amount of work involved as the frequency of transitions increases, and they typically slows their rhythm to conserve energy. In a horse that wants to run into and out of the transitions on the lunge line, I frequently change the diameter of my circle, bringing them in on the circle in the downward transitions and sending them out on the upward transitions. This work will last for 5-10 minutes depending on the horse's attitude and acceptance of the work. This is also the time when I will increase the resistance of the neck stretcher just enough to lightly resist the horse throwing it head and encourage the horse to stretch its neck and back. It is important not to use the training aids to force the horse's frame to a certain shape. The horse is doing this work in order to learn balance and forcing a frame in the horse when it is learning to balance will create bracing. As the horse relaxes, becomes supple and is balanced- the basic frame of the horse naturally rounds.

When I feel like the horse's canter has improved in rhythm I will move to using the cavaletti. I always introduce the cavaletti at the trot so that the horse is not surprised by them. I then pick up the canter and try to keep the horse's rhythm through the cavaletti. This is never perfect and is the whole point of doing the exercise. The horse has to figure out its feet to maneuver the poles. I let this be the horse's job and my job is to simply encourage calmness (and in some cases staying in the canter as they try to trot to adjust their stride). If the horse figures out the distance and can calmly handle the cavaletti, I increase the height of the cavaletti up to 12", being careful not to change the distance between the poles. I change directions every time the horse successfully handles the exercise and I give them a circle or two of walk to reward their efforts. It is amazing how quickly 10-15 minutes will pass and the horse is blowing heavily with the work.

I think people often underestimate how much a horse learns from an exercise even if they do not appear to succeed at the exercise. This is magnified if the rider/trainer of the horse is relaxed and encouraging of the horse, careful not to force the issue beyond the horse's ability to absorb the information- i.e. a nervous, lathered horse with no reward learns to fear the work rather than engage the work. Obviously there are examples when there is an exception- a hot day, a hot stallion, an overwhelmed horse. But it never hurts to bring the work back down in intensity when it seems to be increasing the nervousness of the horse.

Real Examples of this Exercise being a Success

Off-the-track-thoroughbreds are typically lunging nightmares. I currently have five OTTB in training and I would be miserable without the use of this exercise in helping the thoroughbreds learn to turn on a circle and balance their canter. I use this exercise periodically over the year of training as a way to go back and make improvements. A year ago when I first put Phippen, a five year old thoroughbred on the lunge in the roundpen, I wanted to cry. When he tried to canter in a circle his legs went in every direction, scrambled without rhythm and he was clearly a danger to himself and anyone trying to ride him. When I tried to show him the cavaletti, he panicked and ran backwards in the opposite direction. My expectations at that time had to be within the scope of his ability. If he got so much as three strides of three beat canter, I quit and made a huge fuss over his success. If he tried to walk over the cavaletti, he got to go back to the barn. A year ago this would often take an entire 30 minutes to happen. I forced myself not to ask for more.

Yesterday, was a lunge day for Phippen. He has routinely gone back to the roundpen at least 3-5 times per month since his first lunging adventure. He automatically picks up a lovely trot rhythm when we work and easily navigates the cavaletti. His canter work is always improving and he can beautifully canter the cavaletti on the highest level. Although he is an example of horse that I have taken very slowly through this process, it has been instrumental in giving him confidence in his feet and jumping. From a horse that a year ago was terrified of a pole on the ground, Phippen now quietly jumps multiple fences including cross country jumps with lovely athleticism. We regularly return to the lunge line to help him keep his feet organized. He has learned to trust the process and actually seems to be looking for the next challenge.

Another example of the exercise helping is on my medium pony, Scotty ( Springstone's Perfect Chemistry ), who came to me terrified of all things human. The routine of the lunge line, having to deal with a lunge whip that is never used abusively towards him, and the experience of a patient person on the ground has taught Scotty a lot about human's having positive expectations rather than in his early experiences of abuse. Also, Scotty has so much curiosity and engaging intelligence that the lunge lessons give us an opportunity to bond in a different way. He is always watching me for my next cue, sometimes so much that he will stop and stare at me, which can be frustrating when working on rhythm. The lunge exercise has also helped with Scotty's stiff direction. Because he is so small in comparison to his current rider, me, the lunge work helps by allowing him to adjust to the canter in his stiff direction without fighting my weight in addition. The angled cavaletti help keep him supple by encouraging him to step under and stretch his neck. He can get quick and rush when nervous but the work of the cavaletti is strenuous enough that he often settles without much interference by me.

Routine is More Important than Perfect

I use lunge exercises in my training to help the horse learn with minimal interference from me. It is a good opportunity for me to build the horse's confidence in themselves, learn balance and increase the horse's awareness of it's feet. I do not harp on the horse to be perfect because they often need to explore their rhythm and balance to realize that the best way is usually the correct way. When horses are allowed to learn this on their own, everything improves- self carriage, rhythm, seeing a distance to a jump, transitions. I have had shocking improvements with my horses's canter by allowing them to learn to turn and balance on the circle without ripping on their mouth. This is where a round pen comes in handy, but any type of boundary like poles on standards or barrels will help. My goal is to teach the horse balance, rhythm and self-carriage while keeping their mouth soft and their body without braced muscles. I use lunging exercises, specifically with cavaletti to accomplish this at the canter.