12/09/2025
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Rethinking Lunging: A Tool for Balance, Not Just Energy
The act of lunging often gets bad press but I personally think it is a tool in the tool box that can be used to help the horse if performed in a way to help and not hinder.
💭What does “lunge” really mean?
The word comes from the French allonge — “to lengthen.” That’s the essence of lunging: giving the horse space to lengthen, balance, and explore posture.
👀Why I Lunge Horses
I often ask to see horses lunged during assessments. It reveals how they move in each direction, highlighting issues that aren’t always obvious in a straight line.
⚖️ Balance Before Impulsion
The biggest mistake I see is pushing horses forward too much. This drives them onto the forehand, bracing with their head and neck, and counter-bending to stay upright.
- Horses in this state won’t stretch — they don’t feel safe.
- Training aids often add to the brace rather than solve it.
By slowing the trot, the horse can find balance, feel secure, and begin to lengthen naturally. Only once balance is established should impulsion be introduced.
⭕ Circle Size Matters
Small circles make balance harder and increase uneven load through the musculoskeletal system.
- I often travel the arena alongside Elmo, mixing straight lines with gentle bends.
- Smaller circles are used briefly to encourage the inside hind to step under, then we return to larger circles to let that energy flow.
Constant small circles = higher risk of injury. Varying circle size = healthier, more engaged movement.
🐎💨 Lunging Is Not Just “Burning Energy”
Too often lunging is used to tire a horse out. But chasing them around only triggers cortisol and adrenaline, pushing them into flight mode.
- Flight mode = braced posture, misalignment, and higher injury risk.
- Adrenaline masks fatigue, making injury even more likely.
For lunging to build posture and stretch, the horse must first find calmness.
🚶 It’s Okay to Walk
Lunging doesn’t have to mean going fast. Horses should feel safe to walk, trot, and canter without fear. If your horse rushes as soon as you start, go back to basics — show them lunging is about communication, not punishment.
🩹Consider the Horse in Front of You
Every horse is different. Age, fitness level, past injuries, or current ailments all affect how they can move and balance.
- A young, fit horse may benefit from more variety and impulsion.
- An older horse or one recovering from injury may need slower work, larger circles, and more walking.
- Fitness and confidence should be built gradually, always respecting the horse’s limits.
Lunging should never be a “one size fits all” exercise — it’s about meeting the horse where they are today.
⏳ Less Is More
Another key factor is time. Lunging doesn’t need to last long to be effective.
- Short, focused sessions help the horse stay mentally engaged and physically safe.
- Long, repetitive lunging can strain joints, increase fatigue, and undo the benefits of balance work.
- Think quality over quantity: 10 minutes of mindful lunging is often more valuable than 30 minutes of chasing.
✨ Final Thought
Lunging, when done with balance, calmness, and variation, becomes a powerful tool for developing posture and connection. A horse in good form wants to explore good posture — our job is to create the conditions for that.
👉 How do you use lunging with your horses?
