Mary Allen
The classic and correct lunging of a horse is a great change and addition to riding, for example, to train the animal’s balance, looseness, or permeability. In this way, the horse can be moved and gymnastic even without a rider, and coordination can also be improved. Many horses learn to balance themselves better on the lunge than under the rider. Everyone has seen how lunging works and has a picture in their head. But how does training with the double lunge work?
What is the Difference to the Simple Lunge?
The double lunge is a special type of lunge and differs mainly in its application, and it is also a lot longer. This special variant offers more options for influencing the horse than the conventional lunge, as the horse can be guided on both sides. Rein assistance by the rider is also possible from the ground. In contrast to the normal lunge, you hold the double lunge in both hands. If you want to change direction while working with your four-legged friend, the training remains fluid and is not interrupted because the lunge does not have to be buckled.
How Do You Put on the Double Lunge?
To use a double lunge, it is best to use a lunging belt, the rings of which are well suited to guide the lunge through to the bit. Normally the lunge is led around the horse between the croup and ankle, which makes it easier for the animal to bend. If the outer line is laid loosely, the possible strain on the horse’s mouth, triggered by the movement of the hind leg, can be significantly reduced. When working with a rather jumpy horse that does not yet know the double lunge well, it is advisable to run the leash over the back.
Who is the Double Lunge Suitable For?
Since this work requires some practice, it is not suitable for beginners. Especially when starting out, it is certainly advisable to bring in a second person who will help you put on the double lunge or hold the horse. If the application is implemented correctly, this variant is a good way to work specifically on specific problems, such as improving bending, from the ground.
The double lunge is particularly suitable for experienced riders or trainers and those who have studied the technique intensively beforehand. If you are interested in this particular work with the horse, have someone who is familiar with it show you how to do it. Because only if the implementation is correct can the advantages be achieved, which are the sole reason for working with the double lunge.
Incidentally, carriage drivers also use the double lunge to train and promote carriage horses from the ground in another variant, “driving”. In doing so, they walk a few meters behind the horse instead of standing in the middle and leading the animal around in a circle, as is usual with lunge work. But also when working with horses of the “high school”, the lessons of the art of riding (such as piaffes, levades or similar) train and practice, the double lunge is a popular tool, especially in the “driving” variant.
What are the Advantages of the Double Lunge?
To emphasize the advantages again, the outer limit of the horse is particularly noticeable. Due to the possibility of limiting the horse to the outside and being able to influence the animal not only through the inner but also through the outer lunge, working on the double lunge is much more efficient than the classic lunge. Since the rider can provide help from the ground in this way, similar to the normal rein aids from the horse, difficult lessons can also be worked out and, above all, priorities can be set. So you can not only work on the bend or the balancing of the horse but also on the straightening or other construction sites of the horse-rider team. Because of its many advantages, the double lunge is very much appreciated and used in the training of horses.
If you are interested in working with the double lunge but do not dare to approach it alone, there is sure to be an experienced trainer in your area, with whom you can complete a training session so that everything important can be shown and explained to you live again.