This article first appeared in the June 2021 digital edition of Equestrian Life. To see what’s in the current issue, click here.

Lungeing is a great way to exercise your horse for many different reasons. 

Taking the plunge with the lunge

By Dr Kerry Mack

Lungeing horses correctly and safely is an important skill. There are many reasons to lunge a horse as part of the program of training him for balance, suppleness and obedience. Lungeing can really improve a horse’s understanding of the contact with the bit.

A long time ago I bought an experienced showjumper who had awful problems with the contact and was so horrible to ride that I decided not to ride him between shows. I lunged him with a chambon for several weeks while we continued to compete on the weekends. I didn’t expect to change him; I just wanted to keep him fit without the discomfort of riding him.

The transformation in him was absolutely amazing. Once he became confident to take the contact and learned to give forwards and downwards into the bit, I could then start to influence him with my aids to collect and balance and adjust the canter. He became fun to ride, he transformed from a ewe-necked, rubbery thing to a horse with a beautiful topline. This correct muscle development further helped him to produce a better performance. I had a lot of success with him at the highest level…

Read the full article in the June 2021 issue of Equestrian Life here!