The Correct Way to Lunge Your Horse

Here I am using the Downunder Horsemanship Method to lunge my Quarter Horse-Belgian gelding. Notice how he completely lifts his front feet off the ground and rolls back on his hawks when I change his direction. I don't have to whip him, run around him, or yank on the lead rope to get the horse to do what I want. There is little movement on my part, but a lot of effort on his. A sign of a truly supple and respectful horse.

Category:

Pets & Animals

Tags:

• longing horse
• lunging horse
• right way to lunge
• Downunder Horsemanship Method
• Clinton Anderson
• respectful horse

[That1CrazyCowgirl]

Idk who disliked this video... but it is one of the better lunging videos I have seen on youtube. Looks like you know how to do what you are doing. Clinton Anderson is the way to go.

[TheFlyaway88]

@That1CrazyCowgirl Thank you! And I completely agree - Clinton Anderson 100%! I think too many people are wishy-washy when it comes to horse training. They dabble in a little Clinton, a little Parelli, then some Hargis. It never works.

[ilovemusicxoxo11]

That is one of the most beautiful horses i've seen!!

[TheFlyaway88]

@ilovemusicxoxo11 Oh wow thanks! :) He is one of those once-in-a-lifetime horses. I love him!

[lindaposthumus08]

I have a difficult time getting my horse to stop or slow down when lunging her. She just wants to go fast and I'm not sure how to make her stop

[TheFlyaway88]

@lindaposthumus08 (4 of 4) Let her come to a stop and face you, then rub her face with the stick. Send her off again. If you do this over and over, she will slow down and calm down on her own. But remember: the more often you change her direction, the quicker she will slow down.

Thanks for your question! :D

[That1CrazyCowgirl]

@That1CrazyCowgirl maybe not the WHOLE idea lol but it is a goal.

[That1CrazyCowgirl]

@xxCollectedCanterxx  not true. The whole idea of the lunging exercise is to haver the horse seek to be in the middle. You want him to crave being in the middle with you. Don't criticize her further until you are familiar with Clinton Anderson's method. =)

[LimeSpades]

That is a gorgeous horse!

[TheFlyaway88]

@lindaposthumus08 (3 of 4) Think "SLIDE, STAB, STEP, STICK". Repeat this every time you go to change directions. (See Lunging for Respect Stage 1 Videos) If she still will not stop, keep bumping her face and driving her butt away from you.

[TheFlyaway88]

@lindaposthumus08 (2 of 4) Start by changing directions very often, like every circle. Every time you go to stop her, complete these things in order:

1. SLIDE your hand down the rope

2. "STAB" your stomach with the hand you have the rope in (as in, pull her face towards you)

3. STEP towards her butt

4. Wave the STICK at her butt.