how to start lunging a youngster?

it's no different than lunging any other horse.

if you know how to lunge, you should know how to get a horse started.

all you need to do is break it up in steps so the young horse can understand what you want

1. ask the shoulder to move over

2. ask him to go forward

3. repeat until the horse is continually going around you without stopping

If you re unsure of any of the above, then ask a trainer to help you in person, because if you mess it up, you can make the horse frustrated or scared or sour and make trouble

You don't say how young the horse is.

You should not lunge a horse that is 2 or younger. The knees are not closed yet.

You don't mention the breed. If this is a large breed, definitely no lunging til they are old enough, as larger breeds take longer to mature physically.

you can damage a young horse if you lunge aimless circles and too small of a circle for too long (or at all) depending on the age.

If the horse is 2 or younger, then only walk

If the horse is 3 or older then walk, trot and light lope unless the horse is older than 4, then go ahead and ask for all 3 gaits more often

start out close at the walk, then progress to faster speeds when the horse is ready.

start on a 12 ft line for walking then a 22 ft - 30 ft line for trotting and loping

Frankly, if you're asking here, you should do it right and ask a trainer to help you at your barn.

Otherwise, get a DVD about lunging or watch a video on youtube.

It's technique and what to look for that makes the difference if it goes well or goes to hell.

You can lunge a horse earlier than he's a yearling in the event you wish to. Be cautious, even though, that you simply lunge for brief durations in a giant circle in each recommendations similarly. If you do not, horses of any age will have leg issues in a while. You can mount your horse at two years of age. Just be certain you do not do an excessive amount of till he's nearing the tip of his progress to hinder damage.

First thing you do is teach him to move away from pressure. Stand on his left side, and place your right hand in the air. "Push" the air at him in quick motions, don't wave at him, make forceful motions. When he finally takes even a single step away from you with his far leg, praise and bring him back. Do this until just a word will move him off. Then, make him take two steps. Repeat until you have him giving you his entire side on word command.

At this point, I suggest using a lariat rope (that's what I use to lunge at liberty) to tap his hindquarters with and drive him forward a few steps. Make sure he's walking an a slight arc as you are NEVER to allow his heels to look at you.

Stop him, praise him, repeat. Eventually he'll be able to walk entire circles around you, slowly increase the distance he is from you.

When he's comfortably walking and stopping on command, teach him to switch direction. You want a lunge ring for this, because teaching them to do it on body language is SO MUCH EASIER than teaching them by yanking them around with a rope. No heels coming at you, if he shows you heels, put on the pressure and make him work!

Then when he turns the proper way, again, lay off pressure and give him some love.

I've used this technique dozens of times and within 4 days work, they are working at liberty, starting, stopping, changing direction and gait on voice command and body language.

Good luck! Have fun!

When i'm starting a new horse I spend most of my time learning it's behaviors, gaining it's trust. The more the horse trusts you the more he/she will respect you and work easier with you. Also, you can learn a lot of training strategies by watching a mare and her foal.

-Make the bad behaviors are and the good behaviors easy. And don't be afraid to show dominance. If you let the horse dominate you, you won't accomplish anything. The horse needs to pay attention to you otherwise you'll have a stubborn mess. The main key is to gain trust. Hope this helps :)