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Basic Horse Training
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| Basic Horse Training |
Basic Horse Training
When it comes to training horses, there are a lot of different steps that a
horseperson can take. One of those steps is lunging. Lunging can be done for a
variety of reasons. For example; exercise, therapy, reprimand, training, etc… I like to
use lunging as a means to make a first impression. I work primarily with wild horses,
and first impressions are very important and sometimes scary. Lunging provides me
with a safe and controlled environment in which I can introduce the horse to the most
important lesson in horse training – that I lead, and they follow.
All animals, including humans and horses, work on one basic rule:
You can lead… follow… or get out of the way!
If you have ever seen two horses meet for the first time you have seen how this
works. Usually one horse chases the other horse around all day and maybe even
throws a few kicks. It is not because that horse is really mean, but rather because one
horse is telling the other that they decide when to move, when to stand still, and which
direction to go. Once one horse submits to the other, the fighting stops and everyone
is friends. Nature does not stop to allow a discussion or a vote to see who should
lead and why. It comes down to who has the initiative and drive to lead, who chooses
to follow and travel on the path of least resistance, and who decides to go play
elsewhere.
It is because of those reasons that I begin with lunging. When I meet a horse for
the first time, especially a wild one, I let them know I am the leader of the herd. I don’t
have to hit them, tie them up, or throw them to the ground. I just have to tell them
when to move, when to stop, and which way to go. This does not require a lunging
whip; you don’t even need to have a halter and lunge line on the horse. For the first
few times I recommend doing this with no lunge line attached to the horse. It just gets
in the way. You don’t need it and in a bad situation it can get tangled up and possibly
cause injury. I do recommend doing this in a round pen (smaller works better on
rough horses) and be patient.
horseperson can take. One of those steps is lunging. Lunging can be done for a
variety of reasons. For example; exercise, therapy, reprimand, training, etc… I like to
use lunging as a means to make a first impression. I work primarily with wild horses,
and first impressions are very important and sometimes scary. Lunging provides me
with a safe and controlled environment in which I can introduce the horse to the most
important lesson in horse training – that I lead, and they follow.
All animals, including humans and horses, work on one basic rule:
You can lead… follow… or get out of the way!
If you have ever seen two horses meet for the first time you have seen how this
works. Usually one horse chases the other horse around all day and maybe even
throws a few kicks. It is not because that horse is really mean, but rather because one
horse is telling the other that they decide when to move, when to stand still, and which
direction to go. Once one horse submits to the other, the fighting stops and everyone
is friends. Nature does not stop to allow a discussion or a vote to see who should
lead and why. It comes down to who has the initiative and drive to lead, who chooses
to follow and travel on the path of least resistance, and who decides to go play
elsewhere.
It is because of those reasons that I begin with lunging. When I meet a horse for
the first time, especially a wild one, I let them know I am the leader of the herd. I don’t
have to hit them, tie them up, or throw them to the ground. I just have to tell them
when to move, when to stop, and which way to go. This does not require a lunging
whip; you don’t even need to have a halter and lunge line on the horse. For the first
few times I recommend doing this with no lunge line attached to the horse. It just gets
in the way. You don’t need it and in a bad situation it can get tangled up and possibly
cause injury. I do recommend doing this in a round pen (smaller works better on
rough horses) and be patient.
First, with the horse in the round
pen, lift one arm as if to point the
way in which the horse should
travel.
pen, lift one arm as if to point the
way in which the horse should
travel.
If the horse does not turn or start
moving, slap your other hand or a rope
against your thigh and “drive” them in
the direction you want them to go.
moving, slap your other hand or a rope
against your thigh and “drive” them in
the direction you want them to go.
Second, keep your leading arm
extended for as long as you
want the horse to be running in
that direction. An occasional
slap of your hand/rope on your
thigh may be needed to keep
them going.
extended for as long as you
want the horse to be running in
that direction. An occasional
slap of your hand/rope on your
thigh may be needed to keep
them going.
Next, when you are ready to have the horse stop, drop your leading hand
and take a step (or two) back and away from the horse.
and take a step (or two) back and away from the horse.
The idea is to take all the “driving” pressure off the horse and let them stop.
Finally, to get the horse going in the opposite direction, raise your other arm
to point the way and repeat the previous steps.
to point the way and repeat the previous steps.
I have not met a horse yet that couldn’t do this. However, it may take
a few tries before it goes really smooth so don’t get discouraged. I use
this method on every horse that I work with and it has worked with every
one of them.
a few tries before it goes really smooth so don’t get discouraged. I use
this method on every horse that I work with and it has worked with every
one of them.
| Lunging by Michael Hockemeyer |