Pony Training: Part 1 – Lunging and Basic Commands

Lunging a pony, an essential training process, involves encouraging it to move in a circle while attached to a long line, termed a lunge. While this process is quite achievable by a single person, having an assistant can ease the initial stages, particularly in helping the pony comprehend the expected behaviour. A boundary-defined structure such as a corner of a field or a marked circle can offer a favorable environment for lunging.

Origins of Pony Lunging

Lunging, originating from traditional horse taming methods, acts as a bridge between initial groundwork and riding. It also serves as a useful tool to correct behavioural issues and enhance overall performance.

Process Components

The act of lunging comprises three significant elements:

• Assistant’s role:
  • Guiding the pony from the circle’s interior using a rein looped through the cavesson
  • Leading the pony until it understands and follows the instructions effortlessly.
• Trainer’s role:
  • Initiating the commands.
  • Observing the pony’s rhythm, flexibility, gait and responsiveness
• Environmental considerations:
  • The lunging area should preferably be in a corner of the field.
  • Alternatively, an enclosed circle marked out with stakes and binder twine could also be utilized.

Essential Equipment For Pony Lunging

In addition to the trainer and assistant, successful lunging also requires key pieces of equipment. The critical equipment needed includes:

• Cavesson: A special headgear designed to allow control over the pony’s head through a padded noseband. Notably, it serves as the point of attachment for the lunge line.
• Lunge Line: A long rope used to guide the pony as it moves around the circle.
• Short Rein: The short rein looped through the cavesson guides the pony from inside the circle.

By combining the efforts of both the trainer and assistant using appropriate tools and methods, a pony can be efficiently led to master the lunging process. This contributes significantly towards the pony’s discipline and performance, thus making it pivotal in equestrian training techniques.

Positioning and Technique in Pony Lunging

The trainer’s position during pony lunging is a critical aspect of the process. While the pony maneuvers the circumference of the circle, the trainer will pivot on their inside leg to maintain balance, careful attention, and control. The trainer’s positioning, the grip on the lunging rein and the whip, and their movements all play a significant role in influencing the pony’s direction and pace.

Trainer’s Base Strategy

The standard technique for the trainer during lunging includes the following key points:

• Pivoting: The trainer pivots on the inside leg while the pony moves around in a circle. This constant rotation might sometimes cause dizziness, which can be alleviated by momentarily glancing at the surrounding landscape.
• Rein Management: The trainer holds the loop of the lunge rein on the inside hand. Remaining rein is coiled on top, without snarls, as it ensures immediate availability in case of an emergency. An adequate amount of rein (approximately a yard) should always be kept in reserve.
• Whip Usage: Hand opposite to the rein holds the whip. The trainer rhythmically runs it gently along the ground behind the pony’s hocks. It acts as a driving force, guiding the pony along its circular path.

Body Posture and Maintenance

The trainer’s overall body posture is crucial for effective lunging as it aids in weathering sudden jerks and maintaining a reinforcement system:

• Arm Position: The trainer’s arm holding the lunge rein should be bent at approximately waist level with the elbow tucked into the side. This positioning allows the entire body to absorb the force of sudden jerks, reducing the potential for injury.
• Whip Manipulation: The trainer’s hand gripping the whip must be kept low. The lowered position of the whip-hand creates an enveloping drive around the pony.
• Balancing Stances: The trainer’s stance and foot positioning depend on the pony’s direction. If the pony is circling to the left, the trainer’s right foot will be slightly forward to maintain balance, and vice versa.

Effect on the Pony’s Movement

The trainer’s positioning significantly impacts the pony’s movement:

• Directional Guidance: The trainer uses the lunge rein and the whip to metaphorically “hold” the pony between them. This harnessing guides the pony and regulates its responses.
• Pony’s Positioning: For successful lunging, the pony’s head should be in advance of the trainer’s position to prevent the pony from stopping or swinging inwards.

In actuality, the trainer’s position and movements essentially drive the pony around, slightly ahead of their own pivoting. The coordination of movements between the trainer and the pony is indispensable for efficient lunging.

Training and Lunging: Command-Obedience Structure

The key to a successful training process is the pony remaining calm and unhurried throughout the exercise. The training starts with the lunge rein technique, adjustability of the circle size, followed by imparting commands and perfecting their obedience, leading to an efficient lunging process.

Lunging Rein Technique and Circle Size

The initial step in training requires a few imperative actions:

• Initial Rein Length: The trainer begins by extending a few yards of the lunge rein. The pony must stand unflustered until the trainer gives the command to commence.
• Increased Rein Length: Subsequently, the trainer extends the rein length until the pony is moving in a sufficiently sized circle.
• Circle Adjustability: Initially, for better control and command obedience, the circle size might need to be relatively small. Upon the pony’s improved understanding and response to commands, the circle’s circumference can be progressively enlarged.

Imparting Commands and Their Obedience

Different stages of training require an increasing observation and response to diverse commands:

• Command Consistency: The trainer must employ the same words consistently for the same pace to ensure the pony’s understandable responses to specific commands.
• Varying Tone: The tone of the voice is greatly influential. It should vary significantly with different commands, as the pony is more likely to respond to the tone rather than the actual words spoken.

The traditional commands for lunging are typically vocalized as follows:

• Start: “Waaaalk . . . ” (In a calm tone)
• Trot: “Terrr. . . . OT !” (In a brisk tone)
• Canter: “Caaaanter. . . . HUP !” (In a high-pitched, excited tone)
• Stop: “Wh000aaah . .” (In a soothing tone)

Steps in Command-Obedience Training

The common sequence to train a pony effectively involves:

• Initial Training: Establishing control over walking and stopping is critical in the early stages of training. An assistant at this juncture can be of great help in ensuring the pony’s ready obedience.
• Intermediary Training: When the pony reliably obeys the commands to walk and stop, trot instruction can be introduced.
• Advanced Training: The command to canter should be saved for the latter phase when the pony is highly obedient to the vocally delivered commands.

Thoroughly mastering the walk-stop transition is vital before moving on to higher level commands. Upon achieving command obedience, the lunge rein should ideally not be taut but merely hang by its own weight during lunging.

Rider-pony Interaction

The last part of the training involves getting accustomed to the rider:

• Rider Composure: Ensuring still hands and legs is crucial, except when giving a definite command. Fingers yield to the movement of the pony’s head, but the overall movement should be limited.
• Sensitivity: Continual flapping of legs can cause the pony’s sides to become insensitive, thereby hindering the effectiveness of commands.

The aforementioned techniques and strategies aim to establish a firm foundation of command obedience, ensuring smooth lunging exercises. With regular practice and consistent reinforcement, the pony will become adept at understanding and responding to different commands.