TAKING THE PLUNGE : LUNGEING INDEX Page 1 Aim of lungeing In order to teach/ you must become Page 2 proficient as coaches. Lungeing requirements. Page 3 What to look for when teaching lungeing. Page 4 Introducing & teaching the important basics * Position 1; Page 5 * Contact; Page 5 * How to stop the horse on the lunge. Page 6 Discussion on Control of circle size; Page 6 Control of speed of horse. Page 6 Diagram - Position 1 Page 7 Stages of lungeing The warm up phase; Page 8 The work session; Pages 8 & 9 The warm-down phase. Page 9 Notes Page 10 1
AIM OF LUNGEING The aim of this segment is to teach coaches and riders a simple and safe method of lungeing. Remember that the image we see in books and videos of the correct position of the handler working his horse, is the completed picture. In order to achieve that picture we aim to demonstrate how to lunge using simple building blocks. Lungeing correctly is totally related to how to ride correctly. Did you know, that the position of your hands, arms and the way you ask for, and maintain, a contact when riding, becomes a mirror image of how you also lunge: that can be good or bad! When beginning lungeing it is vitally important that the handler is encouraged to move with the horse. This is one of the biggest areas of debate, and leads to many problems, such as loss of control of circle size, loss of control of tempo and loss of consistent contact. NOTE: Think about it like this: When we first start riding and for many of those first years, our aids and position are not subtle or light, or particularly balanced and co-ordinated. Instead they can be likened to learning to write i.e. A B C on clearly marked big lines in grade 1. As we become more skilled and coordinated in both our writing and riding skills, they show more control, and the spaces between the changes in the letters or the riders aids become smaller and less obvious. Over time, both the writing and riding skills become more refined. In our writing we can now print and demonstrate running writing showing good control of size of letters using lines with smaller spaces or no lines at all. In our riding, we can now demonstrate control over how high we rise, our position and balance, control where the horse goes and at what speed. We can now rise or sit trot, hopefully without disrupting our position and the horses balance, and many more changes as our co-ordination and competence improve. The same is very important when starting lungeing begin with allowing the handler to move with the horse, and as their skills improve, so they then become more centred and yet still be effective and in control. 12
LUNGEING REQUIREMENTS Safe fenced arena with suitable surface to work on (a round yard is suitable in the early stages but then the candidate must be able to lunge in a larger safe fenced arena). Horse to be booted or bandaged on all four legs. Bell boots optional. Snaffle bridle (with suitable bit thickness), nose band removed and with reins correctly secured. Correctly fitted lungeing cavesson with jowl strap and swivel rings. Lunge line of suitable thickness and length - approx 20-25 meters with loop on the end. Saddle with stirrups correctly secured. Side reins correctly secured to saddle and of suitable length and type (Candidate to have knowledge of correct fit and reason for use of side reins). Lunge whip to be well balanced for effective use in good repair. Candidate to wear helmet, suitable closed boots, pony club uniform and gloves of correct size and good condition. Spurs must be removed. LUNGEING REQUIREMENTS Lunge line type Cavesson types Whip type Side reins correct position and how to introduce them. Bit thickness Discuss handler Position Starting off 13
WHAT TO LOOK FOR WHEN TEACHING LUNGEING Can the handler demonstrate correct use of voice? Can the handler demonstrate verbally a knowledge of what correct lungeing can achieve for them and their horse using appropriate terminology? Can the handler start the horse off correctly and safely? Can the handler maintain a consistent contact with the lunge line between their hand and the cavesson? Can the handler control the size of the circle the horse is working on? Can the handler control the speed/ tempo of the horse s paces? Can the handler be effective in asking for the correct bend and flexion of the horse for the circle line he is travelling on? Does the handler use the whip correctly? Does the horse tolerate and respond correctly to the whip? Does the horse respond correctly to the handler s position by remaining out on the circle? Can the handler slow the horse, stop the horse and change the horse s pace while maintaining control? Can the handler change the rein correctly and safely? Does the handler show they are competent using the lunge line the whip and have effective voice commands? Does the handler recognise when their horse is correct and when they need to improve or change something? Can the handler verbalise what they achieved or did not achieve using correct terminology? 14
Begin With The Important Basics Position 1 Handler s rein hand to be opposite or slightly ahead of the horse s nose to allow the horse to be sent to the contact. This is why the candidate must be able to move freely on the line they choose. When giving a correction on the lunge line, the arm and hand must still be facing the horse s nose to keep the minimum 90 degree angle between horse and lunge line. The whip forms the third side of a smaller triangle and is towards the horses shoulder or front feet. Candidate to remain positioned opposite the V and slightly towards the horse s head. Always begin with the handle of the whip towards the horse s shoulder and NEVER ever step backwards. Always ask the horse forward and away from you whilst maintaining a consistent contact and walking with him. Contact Think of the contact weighing something between 0 10. Zero is no contact and five and above is too heavy. Aim to maintain a contact between 1 3, which then gives you something in hand when making a correction, and then softening when you get a response from the horse. 15
How To Stop The Horse On The Lunge It is very important to establish the correct weight with the lunge line contact. ( As mentioned above.) The most common mistake made when lungeing a horse that is rushing or won t stop, is that they pull and increase the weight of the lunge line to greater than five. This increases the speed of the horse and teaches the horse to rush, fall out through the quarters and pull away from the handler. This leads to injury, loss of balance and a reduction in the horses trust, and a loss of confidence for the handler. Instead of increasing the weight of the contact, keep it the same weight and move gradually towards the horse with the whip under the arm whilst maintaining the 90 degree angle. As the horse responds and steadies, remain quietly opposite the bit, still keeping the same contact and angle. Reward the horse verbally and ask him to move forward again. This is the most difficult and the most important area to establish and maintain. Once understood and established, this gives you complete control over the horse and allows you to improve and influence his balance, paces and outline. Discussion: Control of circle size - Control of speed of horse - 16
Diagram - Position 1 To have control of the horse s head, neck and shoulders, which then gives control over the hindquarters. Handler to be positioned opposite the `V created by the horse s head and neck and slightly more in the direction of the horse s head. Handler s arm to form a straight line from their elbow, to their wrist and through to the horse s nose with a consistent contact on the lunge line. Handler s rein hand and lunge line to always create an angle of no less than 90 degrees, with the horse s body as the base. NOTE: Making the angle 90-95 degrees gives even more control over the circle line, contact and tempo. 71
Stages of Lungeing The Warm Up Phase To obtain calmness and obedience to the voice, handler position, lunge line and whip. To ask the horse to move forward on your line and at the speed you choose. To establish a consistent contact with the lunge line. To encourage the horse to work forward on a circle using all three paces. To use transitions, both within the pace as well as from the pace to another, to establish obedience. To encourage the horse to work in balance with a regular rhythm and tempo. To encourage the horse to stretch forward and down, and so improving the lateral and longitudinal suppleness. To encourage the beginnings of correct working paces. Stages of Lungeing The Working Phase To maintain obedience and calmness throughout. To maintain a consistent contact. To regulate the rhythm and contact and establish working paces. To ask for bend and flexion at all times on the line of travel which improves lateral and longitudinal suppleness. To establish obedient transitions both within the pace and from one to another this improves balance, introduces half halts and encourages correct engagement and activity of hind quarters. If using side reins, this improves the horse s acceptance of contact and allows the horse to be worked in a range of frames. Side reins must be positioned above the point of the horses shoulder and level with the bit. 81
The Working Phase (cont) To start with, the horse is always worked in a longer lower outline with the nose either slightly in front of the vertical, or on the vertical. NEVER behind the vertical. As the work progresses, the side reins may be altered in both length and the height that they are positioned in under the girth or roller. To encourage correct balance and suppleness by improving the straightness of the horse. Even on a curved line the hind legs should step into or over the prints of the front feet. To improve the quality of the paces. To improve the working paces, introduce lengthened strides and work towards medium paces. The horse is encouraged to spiral in and out on the circle in all paces. To work the horse over poles to improve the size and the quality of the trot. Stages of Lungeing The Warm Down Stage. If using side reins, disconnect them safely and allow the horse to stretch forward and down in walk and trot on both reins. Allow the horse a soft contact to encourage relaxation and stretching down. Allow the horse to be active while not asking for too much forward. Maintain control over the size of the circle; rhythm and tempo; contact and correct bend and flexion. Always finish by asking the horse to halt out on the circle without facing in. The handler to finish by walking out to the horse. 91
NOTES: 10