NOTE: If you are a novice, do not attempt to lunge a green or wild horse - it is dangerous.

     The best place to learn how to lunge is in a round pen if you have one. Round pens keep the horse on the correct track and limit their ability to drag you. Round pens are the only place to start a green horse. If you do not have access to a round pen, then a small part of an arena will do - up against the railing if possible.

     Here are the basic steps to follow:

1. Fully tack the horse or tack in a bitting rig.
   
   
2. Put the reins over the horses neck and twist them 3-4 times underneath the neck. Then run the throat latch through the twist and hook the latch. This keeps the reins safely out of the way. It is not necessary to do anything with the stirrups. In fact, I prefer that they hang so the horse gets use to this feeling and will not be upset if the rider drops his/her stirrups.
   
   
3. To begin lunging to the left, run the lunge line clip end through the ring of the left side of the bit and run the clip over the horses poll and hook onto the ring on the right side of the bit.
   
   
4. Hold the lunge line first in your left hand, with the right hand holding the remaining coiled up line. DO NOT wrap the lunge line around your wrist or you risk severe injury if the horse should pull away.
   
   
5. Slowly reach down and pick up the lunge whip with your right hand with the end of the handle nearest your thumb and forefinger - ie. the whip end is facing backwards out the back of your hand.
   
   
6. Walk your horse to the left and gradually position your body even with his hips as you let out the lunge line and make it long enough to maintain control; about 10-15 ft. You will still need to continue walking with him inside the circle to keep him on the right track. Lunging is active - not passive. To aid you, if your horse will not continue as you move away, slowly lift the whip out to your right and cluck. As your horse moves away, remain even with his hips and walk with him to stay in position. You cannot lunge correctly by standing still in the middle of the circle. Always remain even with his hips to prevent him from changing directions
   
   
7. Once you have him walking in a circle (if he will walk for you), then ask him to trot by saying "T-Rot" and lifting your whip to the right (the whip is still facing out the back of your hand), and cluck if necessary. If this is not sufficient to get him trotting, then you may need to be more active with the whip by holding the whip out the front of your hand and reaching it forward or even touching your horse.
   
   
8. When your horse is going well, be sure to praise in a high voice and lower the whip. The whip should only ever be raised or active when asking the horse for something.
   
   
9. To canter, raise the whip and wave it a little and make a loud kissing sound until he canters. If he should pick up the incorrect lead or canter disunited, do not try to correct immediately or you will confuse your horse. Let him canter, since that is what you asked for, praise him, then gradually bring him back to a trot and then try a canter again after a half of a circle.
   
   
10. To halt, say "Whoa" in a strong deep voice and pull firmly on the lunge line. The lunge whip can be crossed in front of your body and raised in front of the horses motion to encourage him to stop. (Note: this does not work with all horses as some are more afraid of the whip than others). Once he stops, keep him out on the circle by holding the whip straight towards him, but not raised.
    
    
11. After walking, trotting, cantering, trotting, and walking to the left, bring your horse to a halt. Drop the whip and slowly walk toward the horse, gathering the line as you go. Praise him well. Now it is time to change directions. Remove the lunge line, then weave through the right side of the bit, over the poll and hook onto the left side of the bit. Repeat the lunging process above.