Palm, Lynn: Art of Lungeing, pt. 1

PALM PARTNERSHIP TRAINING™

The Art of Lungeing: Part 1

By Lynn Palm | www.lynnpalm.com

As I titled my DVD “The Art of Lungeing,” it is just that. It is not initially easy to master lungeing for a handler. Practice is the only way in developing your eye reaction/coordination, recognizing your horse losing his balance by falling in or falling out, and in developing your own coordination of both arms and legs.

I value lungeing for many reasons. Yes, lungeing is a way to exercise a horse, but it is much more important in developing a horse's self-carriage in all gaits, response to voice and whip commands, and lungeing can control a horse's play on the line. I use lungeing as a day of training, and always as part of taking a horse to a new area that you want the horse to perform. I also use lungeing for a bitting exercise.

Forming a Triangle

Form a triangle for proper lungeing. Here's how: Stay parallel to the horse and make one side of the triangle with your lunge line. The horse is another side of the triangle, and the whip is the third side of the triangle. You are in the middle of the triangle.

Staying Parallel to the Horse

The key to staying parallel to the horse is to never walk toward the horse or take any steps backwards. Move your legs by crossing one in front of the other. Moving your legs sideways allows you to stay parallel to the horse.

Attaching the Lunge Line; Contact with the Lunge Line

Keeping contact with the lunge line to the horse's halter allows you to recognize the line going slack, the horse falling in, the horse pulling you, or the horse falling out.

Attach the lunge line with a snap or a chain. NEVER attach under the horse's chin, which would give you less control of the horse's head position. Never attach a lunge line to a bit.

Here are two options for connecting the line. 1. If using a lunge line with just a snap, connect it to the side halter ring closest to you.

2. If using a flat cotton lunge line, thread the lunge line through the side halter ring closest to you, over the nose and snap it on the opposite halter ring. This is the most responsive position.

Organizing the Lunge Line

Keeping your lunge line organized is a must! I like a flat cotton lunge line the most, and I avoid nylon and round ropes. Nylon you can burn your hand if a horse tries to get away from you, and round lines are too hard to hold. DO NOT LET THE LUNGE LINE DRAG ON THE GROUND – IT'S NOT SAFE!

I also have my students learn how to keep the line organized without the horse. Here's how to loop the line:

1. Hold the loop at the end of the line. 2. Spread your hands apart, making a loop, and put it in your hand from the bottom of your hand. The line comes out the top between your thumb and first finger. 3. Continue to make similar loops. They don't have to be perfect; however, you must stack the line in your hand so it is easy to hold. 4. Once you have looped and stacked the whole line, put your first

finger in the loop that is on top and leads to the horse. Hold it in place with your thumb. 5. When you have done this and can do it easily, now you have to master this technique without looking at the line. When you can do this, you will have the best control possible with the lunge line.

You will be able to make different size circles, go straight, and adjust the length of the line when needed.

Next month, I will talk about the use of the lunge whip, lungeing different size circles, and developing self-carriage while lungeing. Cyril and Lynn offer clinics throughout the country and abroad as well as online coaching. Join them on their teaching tours or their Palm Equestrian Academy European Journeys. Please visit www.lynnpalm.com or follow on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.