K&M Pferdehof

Classically Trained Horses for the Adult Amateur Rider

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Training the young horse – Part V – An introduction to double lungeing

All of my horses are trained to double-lunge.  This old technique was developed by the German masters and is especially useful when working with young horses.  It allows us to teach many concepts without the rider’s interference.  The horses quickly learn how to go deep and round and develop strength and flexibility.  Later on more advanced movements such as lengthenings, counter canter and piaffe can all be taught on the double-lunge.  Because it is such a valuable tool, this month I would like to discuss how to introduce the double-lunge to a young (or inexperienced) horse and what the initials training goals might look like.

Introducing a horse to the double-lunge

When you first start, make sure you are in an enclosed space, which could be a round-pen or an arena.  For safety reasons no other horses should be around.  Of course it always helps if you have someone who already has experience with double-lunging.  For example I like to have newcomers work with one of my experienced horses while I simultaneously teach that person’s horse the principles of double-lungeing before they take over.  That way we can avoid the famous “green trainer/green horse” experience J

Equipment

Some people prefer to double-lunge in a halter or with a caveson, but I like to start my horses with a regular snaffle bit.  Of course the horse must be familiar with a bridle, which I typically introduce in short sessions over the course of several weeks.  Additionally I introduce them first to the single lunge, so they have a concept of going around the handler.  This might be done in a halter, to avoid pulling on their mouth.  Only when they have mastered single lungeing do I introduce the double-lines. 

I begin teaching my horses in a surcingle which they should be introduced to while single lungeing.  If you are using a saddle (because you will be riding or to familiarize the horse with the equipment), then you must take down the stirrups and connect them underneath the belly of the horse (we often use old stirrup straps to do the job).  The double-lines will then run through the stirrups instead of the surcingle rings. 

It is very important that the double-lines are made out of one piece, with a snap each at the respective end.  Having two unconnected, single lines is much harder to handle and reduces the ease of turning the horses.  My lines are between 40 and 50 feet.  Shorter lines are easier to handle, but require smaller circles (or a lot of walking of the handler!).

Getting started

If your horse has never had a blanket put on and is not used to anything touching him, you should gently introduce him to the feeling of having a lunge line behind their hind legs.  Depending on your horse’s age and temperament, this might be all you can accomplish in the first lesson.  If your horse is quiet and relaxed, then you can start with attaching the double-lunge to the bridle (or if you prefer it can be a caveson or halter). 

Stand on the left side of the horse and bring one end of the double-lunge through the stirrups or lowest surcingle ring and snap it into the left bridle ring.  Praise the horse.  Make sure the horse stands still until you have put the double-lunge on both sides.  It may help to have a person hold the horse while you hook up all the necessary equipment, especially if it is your first time. 

Put the other end of the double-lunge over the saddle to the other side.  Again bring it through the stirrup and connect it to the right bridle ring.  Go back to the left side of the horse and ask them to go forward once you have organized the double-lunge and whip in your hands.  Initially I “drive” my horses and walk behind them (at a safe distance) and allow them to get used to the equipment in a calm and steady walk.

 

Grassias as a 2 1/2 year old showing a nice stretch over her topline.  Notice how loose the outer lunge line is.

Training the Young Horse—Double Lungeing

Date: 07/27/2009

Goals for Double-Lungeing the young horse (both in age and overall experience)

The Training Scale Objective are the same for riding and double-lungeing when we first start out.  We want to develop Rhythm, Relaxation and Regularity.  My initial goals for the first few months are:

— Teach the horse to work on the double-lunge in a relaxed frame of mind.

— Develop three clear gates with a loose back and a light connection.

In the beginning your sessions should not last for more than 10-15 minutes.  Most likely all you will work on is getting familiar with the lines and steering.  With a more advanced horse you can start with 5 min warm-up in walk with frequent changes of direction.  Then 15-20 min of trot (and later canter) work with frequent walk breaks.  I always recommend to end with another 5 minutes of walk to cool down and relax. 

It’s time to move to the next level (and the next article) when

— Your horse clearly shows rhythm and relaxation in trot on both hands.

— Your horse has found the way down and has developed a swingy, balanced trot.

What to do while double-lungeing the young horse

· Encourage a forward walk with a slight bend. 

· If the horse has a tendency to come in, use your outside rein as well as the whip pointed to the shoulder to send them back out on a bigger circle.

· Ask often to bend in and then give to let the horse stretch down. 

· Vary the size of the circles to see when your horse is most likely to feel comfortable about the stretch (too big a circle is not enough bend, too small a circle horses evade).

· Reward any small attempt by the horse.  Reward frequently.  

· Sometimes stop and do nothing.  Walk up to the horse to praise them for standing still.  It will teach the horse to be patient and to relax.

· Only when a horse is quiet, relaxed, will steer and bend in the walk, then it’s time to try a trot.

· You want a swingy trot – do not let them rush – slow down by making the circle smaller if you need to.  If the horse is not strong enough (and most horses will not be strong enough) be happy with a few steps.

· Frequent changes of direction through the walk.  DO NOT CHANGE DIRECTION THROUGH THE TROT!

· Teach them early to work concentrated and focused and then to relax completely by giving loose reins.

· 2-3 rounds of trot is enough at a time.  The horse does not learn to relax through endless running on a circle, but through frequent changes in gait, direction and size of the circle.

· If the horse offers a canter, allow it as long as the horse is relaxed and not running off.  However, since circles are hard on young horses, quietly bring them back to trot and then walk when you can.

· If you also want to ride (and yes, it’s a perfect warm-up for the horse) keep the double-lungeing at 10-15 minutes.  If you don’t want to ride, you can easily extend to 30 minutes as long as you remember the frequent walk breaks.