How To Lunge A Horse For The First Time

In this video, I show you how to lunge a horse for the first time. I use Bonnie, a young horse that has come to me for starting under saddle, and I show you the exercises she needs to know so that I can get her to go out on the circle and slow down on the lunge. If you have a horse that won't lunge, this video will show you how to help the horse understand what you want him to do. Learning these groundwork exercises should be part of your basic horse training.
In this video, you see Bonnie lunge for the first time, and I can say it was a success. It was a success because of the basic groundwork exercises I had done with her to set her up for success. I teach you how to do these exercises and many more in Basic Horse Training Academy.
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• How To Lunge A Horse F...

[@BasicHorseTraining]

Getting the horse to move out on the lunge is simple if you teach them to move their shoulder. This mare does a great job for her first try.

[@aleesharilatt5513]

She did so well.

[@mattashcraft4146]

That mare is gorgeous

[@BasicHorseTraining]

She is 🥰

[@Cathan1856]

That was great, you made it look awful easy though 😅. I’m going to have a try.

[@BasicHorseTraining]

Please let me know how you go and if I can help you with anything just let me know 🙂

[@Lee-vv2yu]

my green ottb has some struggles with standing still at the mounting block, i cant get on him without someone else holding him. he throws his head and dances around, do you have any tips?

[@A.B_equestrian]

Let me answer this for you, But first some questions “Do you grab the reins while mounting?” This can also be part of the reason why he isn’t staying still. And do you lunge your horse first? Or is it just energetic? If your ottb is energetic then I suggest lunging then see how he is. I can probably help you with your problem if you can give me all the details that your horse does? Edit- also remember that you should give your horse an option if it wants to be ridden or not. (Tip- watch the ears and his body language) if ignorant people get on horses that don’t want to be ridden some green horses may buck.

[@Lee-vv2yu]

@@A.B_equestrian I lunge him before all of our rides to let him get his energy out and see how he is that day, and yes I do grab the reins before I get on, its how I was taught edit- He has a lot of anxiety and while riding his focus isnt on me and hes focusing on the other horses in the arena, or the other things going on at the barn. He doesnt not like to ride, but it seems like he hates mounting and the mounting block, Ive tried to come to it with just a halter and stand him there but he did everything he could to get away from it

[@wendylow5748]

Super this just filled a little missing piece!

[@BasicHorseTraining]

Happy it helped 😊

[@kanek0yuki]

Any tips for helping a horse that tends to lunge with his haunches in/shoulders out? I've worked with him on a smaller circle getting the correct bend, but he still has trouble with this in both directions when we expand the circle.

[@tylerANDblue]

I love you technique you’re not aggressive the whip And you calm and gentle

[@vanessailie1505]

Omg this seems so simple 😅 Love your videos and the simplicity of explaining everything. Also, I’d love to see this on a horse that never lunged too. So we can see the issues one may encounter and how to fix 😊

[@mollypup1989]

Thank you for this video. I am training my horse on my own and she wouldn’t go out. This video showing moving the shoulders out first worked a treat thank you. I am a dressage rider BHS UK trained and it’s the first time I have seen this tecnique. Thank you! 2:20 2:22

[@galaxiahernandez7671]

I'm having the same issue, mine just wants to turn to me and stay with me

[@BasicHorseTraining]

I’m glad it is helping you😊

[@adrienneniver5726]

I heard the classical folks have them stop on the circle so the turn doesn’t unseat the person during rider training. I am with you. 😊

[@lilyloveslife2737]

Also, what a lovely and willing mare she is. Quite relaxed. Good job Josie. I notice how supple and low headed horses are when you ride them which you've,obviously taught them to do. I would love to see my mare working on the walk or trot nice and 'low' either on the lunge and or under saddle. I'm also going to ask my friend for a ride on her trained horse so I can experience a balanced canter to give me more confidence when riding my green standardbred in the canter as she has a tendency to pace sometimes! You see I'm listening and learning Josie!😊

[@BasicHorseTraining]

❤️🥰❤️

[@sarahmedeiros1473]

Great video! I am struggling so much with a 21 year old brood mare that I have adopted. I am unsure of her previous history. She was neglected and not handled much. She is dominant and pushy. I am convinced that in her mind, that is how she thinks she survives the day. I am trying to reward the slightest try. Struggling to find a horse trainer to help in my area, so I am doing the best I can. You are so kind and gentle in all your videos, and I so appreciate you taking the time to share your knowledge. Thank you so much!

[@BasicHorseTraining]

You are welcome. Good luck with your girl. Just remember to be kind and safe at the same time ❤️

[@lilyloveslife2737]

Where are you situated Sara?

[@frontporchpickin289]

You make this look so easy! I tried to lunge this 22 yo ex trail horse who's been wasting in a pasture for 3-4 years. I've got weight back on him in the past month and we've very briefly barbacked 3x. Today I tried to get him walking the circle and he just looks at me like what is this bro haha. He's very lazy and doesn't want to keep walking forward which is my ultimate goal. Thought lunging may at least build some trust with eachother outside of just leading him around my pasture. I'll meed to watch this a few times and see if I can get him to respond. I'm at least trying to get him.some exercise

[@amypeters454]

I adopted an old mare who can barely see... she sees shadows... she is wonderful... I'd like to learn to work with her, do u believe she can do these things even tho she cannot really see??

[@mareelelievre]

Awesome, thank-you Josie.

[@lilyloveslife2737]

@Basic Horse Training, Josie, I like the way you teach with not overloading me/us with too much info over too long a videos. Where in Australia are you? I would love to have some lessons with you.

[@BasicHorseTraining]

I live in South Australia. On Yorke Peninsula 😊

[@lilyloveslife2737]

@@BasicHorseTraining sadly, I'm in Victoria. If you're ever visiting Victoria somewhere in La Trobe Valley, I would happily put you up for a few days.... (for a freebie private lesson!!)😉 Thanks josie!

[@BasicHorseTraining]

Thank you ☺️

[@marysinclair1214]

I'm trying to do this with my 2 yr old. He starts off okay but then will stop and start backing up.

[@MJFlynnHorsemanship]

If I may make a comment... You moved the horses feet away from you correctly at 4:10. BUT, you immediately started stepping backwards until 4:28. At 4:12, you pulled her into you since your lead was too short from your hand to her halter. As a result, she pushed you our of your position. Big no-no. ;) Always keep moving forward and give the horse more lead as soon as you move their feet away from you. Just let it slide thru your hand. That prevents what just happened. Basically, I would skip everything from 4:12 to 4:24. You are controlling HER feet and not the other way around. "Control the feet, control the mind" Good stuff. Nice to see someone teaching PROPER "lunging" with some purpose. So often, it's basically just mindless circles.

[@lilyloveslife2737]

@Basic Horse Training, hey Josie, my old stockhorse is so keen to please, (bless him) he thinks I just want him to canter around on the lunge rope. When I want him trot or walk he thinks I want him to stop and come in. Starting from scratch, how can I get him to just walk or do a slow trot? Would it help if a second person was there to walk him around on the circle, with one holding the rein?

[@BasicHorseTraining]

I teach them ground work first. Moving the HQ and moving the shoulders. That way I can move the shoulders to move them out on the circle and move the HQ out to slow them down. This could be a good video for me to do. ☺️ You could also try making the circle smaller while he is cantering with even pressure on the lunge rein directing him in. Then when the circle gets too small for him the canter and he drops into trot release the pressure on the lunge.

[@lilyloveslife2737]

@@BasicHorseTraining thankyou Josie

[@ItsMeTheEquestrian]

Could you do a video on how to count your canter strides? Need a bit of help myself.

[@rainecarr9892]

I did this without understanding what exactly I was doing and why I was angering the land owner, a classic dressage rider.

[@BasicHorseTraining]

There are so many ways to train a horse. To me as long as you are kind and have the horses best interests at heart it doesn’t matter which one you use.

[@rainecarr9892]

@@BasicHorseTraining that makes perfect sense. Each horse is different and respond differently. Arabians are very personal horses and love that personal relationship. It makes sense why they seem to prefer to turn in when they halt. (And I like it, too!l

[@chrishall9625]

That horse has done it before

[@BasicHorseTraining]

No she hadn’t. She had been taught all the groundwork but not “lunged”.

[@dragally1]

I am having trouble with the lunge. I did a search and this video came up and showed me all the things I'm doing wrong! Thank you.

[@aprilhall6179]

Hi, my horse like to come close to me when I'm trying to lunge her. When can I do to prevent that?

[@edexley1686]

Lol that first part was me exactly. Your technique helped me tremendously!

[@Ilse.janse1]

Thanks you so much but do you think it will work for cattle to cuz I'm training my heifer

[@Taisandsumbo2024]

Thanks so much!! I’ll try it today for sure! ❤

[@keyserlingii]

Any advice when a horse suddenly stops and changes direction? Never did it before, all of a sudden startes tmdoing this 😐

[@kylynnjohnson397]

Thank u so much! Im going to try this on my new horse!😁

[@plutorocker]

Thank you so much! You always explain very well.

[@lilyloveslife2737]

I'm familiar with,the 'never ending circle' so I'm glad to know these tips. Thanks josie

[@BasicHorseTraining]

Your welcome 😊

[@EvieBentley-ue7vl]

@basic horse training. My young horse gazes into space with back leg rested i cant get him to engage on the lunge without placing lunge stick onto his bum ? any tips ?

[@cathiwim]

Teach him to respect you, before you do anything else. Watch Ryan Rose or Tim Anderson videos for tips about that.

[@leearellano5303]

Thanks Josie I'll work on it!

[@rebeccaparmer2874]

My horse has not been worked for 6 weeks. Took her out to lunge and all went well until she picked up trot. Then she got excited, tossed her head and bucked and reared. I let her but then just kept starting the lunge exercise over again. Is there something else I should be doing? Thinking she's just a little fresh from not working.

[@BasicHorseTraining]

Sounds like you did the perfect thing. My horses are allowed to express themselves

[@samanthalightworker7955]

That was very helpful!

[@pparker2347]

I so love your work Josie. I wish you lived next door! All the best to you and your herd. Thank so much for sharing.

[@BasicHorseTraining]

Thank you 😊

[@sharonharris224]

Love these videos

[@lindachicette8354]

Mine really acts up going right, gets mad

[@BasicHorseTraining]

Maybe your horse has a physical issue that is worse on the right rein?

[@lindachicette8354]

@@BasicHorseTraining I don't think so, only 3, just opinionated

[@BasicHorseTraining]

Oh 😆. Sometimes they do it because they are a little unbalanced too.

[@lindachicette8354]

@@BasicHorseTraining extremely balanced, like a circus horse, gorgeous mover, very hard to deal with, been working on hoof handling leading lunge short line for 5 months

[@s....marie1637]

Could definitely be a number of things.. maybe your horse is unbalanced on the right? Horses can also have a preferred side! Or maybe they just need a little more muscle on one side, if yours is an ottb they are usually pretty unbalanced, mine is a fat ottb that hadn't been ridden in four years and she had that problem because she was only ever really raced to the left 😂 but with correct work in some time they'll come good! If it continues to worry you though, please get a vet check! Goodluck!!

[@CatholicForLife2]

Thank you!

[@loredelore7286]

Are you familiar with Mark Langley?

[@BasicHorseTraining]

Yes I know of him Lore

[@SandieButler-q7e]

Brilliant tuition easy to understand Tracey

[@BasicHorseTraining]

Thank you 😊

[@nilewi254]

Hello what are the mirrors for

[@montikarla]

Mirrors are usually used to quickly check your position while riding, and to check horse balance when you are riding without a trainer.

[@archangel807]

Great training!

[@BasicHorseTraining]

Thank you!

[@aponinaapu2973]

Oh my god, this is perfect! thank you thats what i never catch from my lessons, thank you so much ♥

[@rhonaharker5814]

Took too long to get to lunging

[@philvinet4145]

a very poor method,,,yielding very poor results

[@anastasiageorgiou7765]

I'd love to know your explanation why you think this is a poor method as this looks like a very good technique to me

[@conniepaschall4034]

First and foremost…never lunge in a rope halter. The pain on the facial nerves causes the horse to lift their head and hollow the back. There is no proper poll flexion to the inside, the head tilts or turns away to counter balance. Lost me as soon as I saw the rope halter.

[@ljo0605]

She's got such a loose rope with the horse how is she going to be causing any pain in his face?

[@todiann27]

That’s the only way I do it. He’s fine with it.

[@barryedwardchadwick8162]

A great way to achieve a brain dead resistant horse

[@BasicHorseTraining]

You must be doing it wrong then because none of mine are brain dead or resistant. In fact they are engaged and supple horses.

[@angelicarose6195]

how on earth have you come to that conclusion? I would genuinely really love an explanation on why this sort of training would produce a resistant horse. I have never experienced a horse with gentle corrections and training ever be resistant, but honest and trusting of their handler, switched on and eager. I would have to agree that you must be doing something exponentially wrong if that is the result you are getting.

[@barryedwardchadwick8162]

Because you are reinforcing the horses knowledge that you are a predator,and he is the prey

[@angeldivine408]

@@barryedwardchadwick8162 dear berry, horses communicate and establish hierarchy bu moving eachothers legs. This is a very natural thing for horses

[@s....marie1637]

How? This woman is a professional, she knows right from wrong.