Lungeing your horse is a common method in equine training. If you want some solid instructions on horse lungeing, read on.

In equine training, lungeing is considered a crucial piece of improving the motor skills and your bond with your equine. Whether of what you are into (equestrian, show jumping, horse racing, or rodeo), lungeing must be done and practiced particularly during the earlier stages of training.

Lungeing your equine is a great way to know if your horse is maturing in your training. Knowing that the animal improved, you will be confident to advance your training further. Lungeing is something that will help your equine to not only learn good pressure as far the rein the head control goes but also help the horse learn the different gaits and commands such as "whoa" among others. Voice commands are great aids in training and directing your horse.

Twelve feet is about the least amount of length of rope that you would want to use in lungeing. However, you can go up to the length you're most comfortable with. Always aim that you train different gaits with your horse such as the canter and the trot.

Lungeing your equine

It is imperative that you find a flat surface to work on. Working on a surface that is uneven can cause harm to your horse's legs and feet. The round pen is perfect provided it is large enough.

Horse's comfort should always come first. If it is in good mood, the training will be much more pleasant. You can use training aids energy extension and improving your pressure to the equine. Keep in mind that you should never punish or hit your equine. Also, make certain that you're already aware of your equine's body signals. If you still haven't mastered your horse's body language, then you are not yet ready for lungeing.

Already made sure that you have all things in check,  make your horse in circles while holding the rope. Direct your energy behind the animal to propel it forward.

The horse may move faster than you can handle. Just relax and breathe slowly and then, minimize your pressure to slow things down. Hook the horse up to ultimately make the animal stop moving. "Hooking up" is a technique often done in groundwork. You should perfect it.

You will also notice that there are instances that it will take more pressure to make the horse stop. Jerk the rope more aggressively if it calls for it. The whole point of this training is to make your equine respond to the slightest of pressures. Every horse is different, learn to adapt and aim to understand your equine better.

Always remember that you do both sides. If you move the horse clockwise the first time, make it move counter-clockwise afterwards. You would want to end your training with your horse beside you. Do this by slowly pulling your horse towards you.

Aim to make the horse perform different gaits. It will take a bit of time to get the hang of it but with patience and repetition, lungeing your horse will not be a difficult task any longer.