Lunging is a crucial part of development for both horse and rider. When training a young horse, a lunge line is often the first step (after learning the walk on a lead, stand, etc.) in teaching the horse how to do its job. On a lunge line, the young horse learns vocal commands, as well as body language, which tell him/her to walk, trot, canter, or halt. This is often when the horse learns to move under tack, in a frame, and of course, with their first rider. Training can be safer and easier on a lunge line, so long as safety and environment are taken into consideration. When being on the end of a line gets old, all the same techniques and practices can be put to use in a round pen, or even tested with the horse moving freely in an arena. Of course most horsemen recognize and understand the use of lunging in the beginnings of a horses training. What a lot of people don’t realize, however, is the significance of training a RIDER on a lunge line!
No I don’t mean putting a bridle or cavison on a human and having them run in circles! I’m talking about a rider on a horse, the horse being on the lunge line, and the rider learning techniques with the help of an instructor. The benefits of having a lunge line lesson are many!
First and foremost, when riding on a lunge line, the rider has the support of a ground man(or woman) to help if the need should arise. This also affords flexibility for the rider to be able to go as far as to drop the reins entirely and allow the ground person to control speed and gait, while the rider focuses on their seat/position.
Lunging can be helpful when performing strength/coordination exercises. It can be hard to ride without stirrups, do rhythm exercises, work on posture, or do strength exercises when you are doing the steering as well, especially when you’ve never done, or seldom done the activity. The best way to learn new things is sometimes to give over control to someone else so you can focus on yourself.
Lunging is a good way for an instructor to spot flaws in the students riding and position by giving him/her the ability to keep the rider close enough to see and on a controlled circle. On a lunge line, the instructor has the opportunity to see transitions and other elements repetitively and in close quarters for the best corrections.
It can also be a way for a student to feel something new. An instructor can manipulate a ride/horses body on the lunge line in ways that are impossible to do from afar. To help a student feel the difference between round and flat gaits, the instructor might use side reins to get the horse round while the student is still learning. Or the instructor might teach the feeling of a depart to the student while on the lunge line.
In conclusion, no matter what you want to improve upon, be it position, strength, or coordination, riding on a lunge line can offer a wide range of options! The benefits can be astounding!
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