Longeing, lunging, or lounging have the same meaning they are just spelled differently. Which is right varies from person to person. Longeing is when a horse is cued to work by a person on the ground. The horse can be longed and controled with a longe line (15 foot line) or free longed in a arena without restrictions. You can longe your horse with equipment on or without. The person working a horse while longeing may cue with a longe whip, hand or body movements, or a rope. It is best to use a device that you will not confront in another situation causing a mis-cue. For example, cueing your horse longeing with a noisy object. While you are riding another person may accendtly activate your horse to run when he hears the same noise.

Whenever horses have built up energy, it may be a good time to let them run, buck, and kick up their heels in the arena. It will be much safer to elimeate energy on the ground than on your horse's back! When you give horses the opportunity to play they are less excitable and more willing to learn afterwards. Horses love to play and free longeing will give them their fix so they will let you have yours. It will vary how often you will need to longe your horse. By paying attention and listening to your horse, you will soon know when to and how hard to longe him for each mood or weather change.

Why Should You Longe Your Horse

There are many different reasons to properly teach your horse to longe. Here are some reasons you should include longeing in your horse's routine.

• A way to introduce equipment to your horse. For example, longing with a saddle on your horse prior to riding for the first time or as a test to determine if he will accepted a saddle or is scared of it. Longeing will allow your horse the freedom to move around releasing anxiety without escaping from the situation.
• This will also allow a buffer zone between you and your horse to avoid injuries, in case you make a mistake while "desensitizing your horse out".
• As a conditioning program when you lack time to ride or for preparing your horse physically for a rider. Developing the proper neck, shoulder, and back muscles will help enable your horse to carry the weight of a human.
• Teaching your horse to properly flex their head's, neck's, shoulder's, hip's, and tail's in the same direction. Horses should always bend their body in a curve so their head and tail point in the direction of travel. This will eliminate twists in your horse's back, which restricts movement and gives you a very uncomfortable ride.
• As a change in your horse's training routine. Horses do not like change, by doing different procedures horses will get used to doing different things. So the next time something out of your control happens, your horse will think, it is just another test.

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Gordon Adair is a professional horse trainer and riding instructor with over thirty-three years of experience. Gordon's specialty is instructing owners with their horses, the philisophy of teaching and communicating. The ability to teach and communicate can then be used with the owners own discipline and personality. Visit Gordon's web site on the Internet at www.adairmag.com/gordonadair for more informtion.

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