Developing Healthy Biomechanics Using Holistic Horsemanship in your Lunging
Biomechanics: Working Towards Proper Movement
Lunging isn’t just about teaching horses to move calmly. It’s also an opportunity to improve their biomechanics, self-regulation, and connection to you.
When done correctly, lunging develops your horse’s topline, carriage, gait, and collected movement, contributing to a more comfortable, self-regulated (controlled), and fluid ride.
Caroline's lunging method is designed and proven to work for gaited horses.
Lunging should begin with straightness and regulation, which creates relaxation.
We must have relaxation for biomechanics to work correctly and effectively.
Straightness training is the first step towards improving a horse's biomechanics during lunging. It trains the horse's body to move straight on a circle.
Why straight on a circle? Because being straight on a circle is the result of strength, balance, self-carriage, and collection.
Developing straightness on a circle can only happen when the horse stretches correctly, lengthens the stride, tracks up, and is relaxed and supple through the topline.
Trust me, this process is harder than it sounds. You need a relaxed horse, and you need to know how to guide the body during movement so you can teach the horse to move straight.
When straightness training is done correctly, we create a symmetrical, balanced horse, which creates a horse in true self-carriage and a natural frame (carriage and frame without aids).
Did you know that horses, like humans, are asymmetrical? This means both sides are different, one stronger and the other weaker.
When you begin straightness training, the first area to learn is educating your eye on correct and incorrect movement. For example, your horse is tracking left at the walk, yet they keep walking into you, meaning you send them out on a 50' diameter circle, and the circle gets smaller, and before you know it, they are circling around you very closely.
This happens for two reasons. One, they feel more comfortable (safe) being close to you. When you push them away, they can panic. Two, they are not balanced or symmetrical so they keep dropping a shoulder, diving into the inside of their circle.
This is why it's essential to learn how to use your tools to guide your horse's body during movement. This is no different than hiring an athletic coach who spot-trains you until your body learns the necessary muscle memory, strength and balance to work alone.
Moving straight on a circle also develops advanced movement because it requires the horse to use its hind end to control its balance, movement, speed, and direction.
In advanced movement, the hind end is the horse’s powerhouse, and where it creates and controls collected movements.
Lunging as a Tool for Flexibility and Suppleness
Lunging is also an excellent tool for helping a horse become more supple and flexible, which is critical for maintaining soundness over time.
Encouraging the horse to stretch longitudinally through its topline will develop a strong and balanced movement, thus reducing the risk of injury.
The more your horse strengthens its hind legs and topline, the easier it is for them to relax their shoulders and thoracic sling area.
If a horse is tight in their shoulders, they will be tight everywhere.
The best way to release tension in the shoulder area is to focus on the hind end. The more the horse strengthens the hind end and topline, the easier it is for them to loosen the shoulder.
This is common sense, considering horses carry most of their weight in their front end. Developing a horse to carry its weight from its hind end is how we create collected, supple, balanced, and fluid movement.
This should be the only way you want to ride. It’s best for the horse and easier for us.
A Holistic Approach: Breathing Creates Relaxation
An often overlooked aspect of lunging is the importance of breath. We hold our breath, and so do our horses.
When a horse is tense or nervous, it typically holds its breath or breathes in short, shallow bursts as if hyperventilating.
When a horse is relaxed and moving at a steady rhythm, it breathes more deeply and evenly, which helps to calm its nervous system. Thus, the horse feels good, comfortable, and safe in the work. Deep breathing also strengthens the abdominal muscles, your horse's core area of strength and balance.
This is also how you build a deep and strong connection in the work. A relaxed horse is a horse that feels safe. When a horse feels safe, they are open to connection and learning.
Conclusion: The New Approach to Lunging
By rethinking lunging as a tool for connection, relaxation, and healthy biomechanics, we shift the focus from simply "running out of energy" or “mindless circles” to fostering a stronger relationship with our horse and creating positive experiences.
In conclusion, lunging isn't just about the mechanics—it's also about our horse’s overall well-being, happiness, and experience.
When approached thoughtfully and correctly, lunging will lay the foundation for a calmer, more connected, and safer partnership in everything you do together.
Want to work on YOUR lunging with ME, personally?
Join me at the Tao of Horsemanship Facility in Dunnellon, Florida (February 14-16) for a 2-day in-person clinic. With only 4 participants - you are SURE to see an incredible difference in your lunging experience... and it will last you a LIFETIME! Learn more here!
Hurry - at the time of this post, there is only ONE SPOT left!
Can't make it in person?
No problem! You can also learn The Art of Lunging step-by step in Caroline's Dream Riding Partnership Progam. It is included, as well as the Spirituality of Horsemanship and so much more!
Want to try the Holistic Horsemanship Mini-Series? Regularly $179.99, you can try this series for just $29.99 for a limited time! It's a great way to get an introduction to holistic horsemanship and how my programs work! Please click here for details:
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If you are ready to dive in and follow my holistic horsemanship roadmap (complete step-by-step curriculum), where you learn how to develop you and your horse holistically, from the inside out, ground to riding, rehab to recovery, beginner to pro, please click here: https://www.taoofhorsemanship.com/horse-riding-holistic-program.
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