Question 1

What equipment do I need for lunging?

Julia Lühr · Accepted Answer

The basic equipment includes a grippy lunge line about nine metres long with a hand loop, a sufficiently long lunge whip, a lunging cavesson or bridle, and a lunging roller or saddle. For you, gloves and sturdy footwear are essential.

The snap hook of the lunge line should not swivel so that it does not twist. The whip must be long enough that you can reach the horse with light aids. It is better to do without spurs, as they quickly become a tripping hazard when lunging.

Question 2

Where do I attach the lunge line?

Julia Lühr · Accepted Answer

On the lunging cavesson, usually on the middle ring on the nose. If you lunge with a bridle, attach the lunge to the inside bit ring and the flash strap of a flash noseband or to the small ring of a drop noseband, because this is the gentlest option for the mouth.

Young horses are initially lunged on a lunging cavesson or on a well fitting headcollar over the bridle and never directly on the bit ring. Some lunging cavessons can also be used with a bit.

Question 3

Lunging roller or saddle: which is better?

Julia Lühr · Accepted Answer

Both work. The decisive factor is freedom at the withers. The German Equestrian Federation (FN) recommends either using the saddle with a lunging roller over the top or investing in a good lunging roller with plenty of wither clearance. A saddle distributes the pressure over a larger area.

Ideally, the roller is so well padded that no extra pad is needed. With young horses you should first fasten it with about a hand’s breadth of space and only tighten it gradually.

Question 4

How long should I lunge for and on what size circle?

Julia Lühr · Accepted Answer

A lunging session should last no more than 35 to 40 minutes, including 10 to 15 minutes for warming up. The circle should have a diameter of at least 16 metres, on level, non-slip footing.

Because moving on a circle puts strain on the musculoskeletal system, the German Equestrian Federation (FN) recommends regular changes of rein about every five to seven minutes. Correctly adjusted triangle or Lauffer reins promote suppleness and back activity. Without training aids, lunging is more exercise than targeted training.

Lunging Equipment

Busse Ring Side Reins VARIABEL black

Lunging Roller Nylon, 9 Rings Pony, adjustable girth, black

Equest Lunging Roller Pad Memory

Waldhausen Lunge Line Soft

Waldhausen Leather Lunging Cavesson Anatomic, black

Waldhausen Lunge Line Griffy

Busse Lunging Aid COTTON natural

Busse Lunging Cavesson Professional black/brass

Lunging Roller 11 Rings Waldhausen, black

Waldhausen Lunging Roller with Rings Perlon, black

Eskadron Lunging Roller Pad Climatex Pad Basic, black

Waldhausen Lunging Attachment with Swivel, black

Waldhausen Lunging Cavesson with Bit Attachment, black

Waldhausen Lunging Roller with Two Handles

Waldhausen Lunge Line Star without Swivel 8 m, black

Lunging Roller 13 Rings Waldhausen, black

Waldhausen Lunging Roller Teddy Fleece, black

What equipment do I need for lunging?

Where do I attach the lunge line?

Lunging roller or saddle: which is better?

How long should I lunge for and on what size circle?