16/10/2026
I used to get on and ride instead of lunging because, honestly, riding felt safer.
I remember countless experiences where my horses would rush around on the lunge, seemingly out of control, sometimes even pulling so hard that I'd end up with rope burn on my hands.
Other times, they'd turn in and stop over and over again, sometimes even rearing up - as if they were trying to play with me.
Or they'd turn away, buck and kick out in my direction, leaving me feeling like my life was flashing before my eyes. 🫣
And the confusing part?
Some days they'd seem perfectly fine, and other days it felt like everything was falling apart.
It was frustrating, confusing and, at times, fcking scary.
Especially because lunging was something I'd been encouraged to use to help build my horses' fitness, strengthen our connection and take the edge off before riding.
But instead, it often felt like more trouble than it was worth.
So when things got too difficult, I'd usually resort to one of two things:
👉 Get on and ride instead, because somehow that felt easier and safer (even if they were very hot on the ground)
👉 Use two lunge reins so I could have more control over my horse and keep them further away from me.
Neither option really addressed what was going on, and neither felt particularly ideal.
If you're experiencing something similar with your horse right now, I want you to know that there is another way.
These days, when I'm supporting someone who's struggling with lunging or circling their horse, I like to approach it by exploring four key areas.
1. Solidifying the foundation
Before we even think about asking a horse to move around us on a circle, we want to consider how they're feeling in their body and their living environment.
Are they physically comfortable? Are their needs being met? Is there anything going on that might be contributing to the behaviours we're experiencing?
Because asking a horse to move on a circle, particularly at faster speeds, can highlight physical discomfort, emotional tension or other challenges that haven't yet been addressed.
And we don't want to overlook those things.
2. Strengthening the relationship
How do you and your horse feel in each other's presence?
Can you comfortably stand together, go for walks and enjoy each other's company without things feeling tense, unpredictable or overwhelming?
Do you both feel safe?
Because if there are already challenges in your relationship when you're doing relatively simple things together, adding the complexity of lunging can bring those challenges to the surface.
Sometimes the most valuable thing we can do is spend more time strengthening our connection before asking for more.
3. Refining your communication
This is a BIG one.
If you're feeling confused about what you're asking and your horse seems confused about what you're wanting, there's a good chance you have a mismatch in communication.
So rather than trying to make the whole thing work at once, I like to break it down into tiny, achievable pieces.
Can you clearly communicate to your horse how to:
Move out onto a circle?
Stay on the circle?
Transition between different paces?
Slow down, stop and come back towards you?
Do all of the above in both directions?
And can you start by exploring these things at a walk?
Because if the first five steps feel clunky, unclear or like you're just winging it, it's no wonder things might start falling apart when you ask for more.
We want to build clarity and confidence in the smaller steps before adding complexity.
4. Gradually adding complexity
Once your horse is feeling good, your relationship feels solid and your communication is becoming clearer, you can start building on what you've established.
This might look like gradually increasing the size of your circle, introducing faster paces, refining transitions or exploring different environments.
All while continuing to check in with how your horse is feeling and whether you're both understanding each other.
And the beautiful thing?
When you approach lunging this way, it stops being about trying to control your horse and becomes an opportunity to develop your communication, confidence and connection together.
Which is what I was hoping to experience all those years ago, but didn't yet know how to create.
If you've been finding lunging difficult, I hope this gives you a different perspective on what might be going on and where you could begin.
If you're ready to stop winging it and start building the kind of relationship where groundwork and lunging actually feels good, that's exactly what we work on inside the Confident Equestrian Program.
Early bird enrolment is open right now, and the first five to join get a special price plus a private session with me included.
Comment "CEP" and I'll send you the details.
