Working with the double lunge: here's how to do it

What exactly is the double lunge?

With the double lunge you work with two separate lunge lines that run via the rings of a lunging surcingle or saddle along the horse's flanks to the outer rings, and then into your hands. Unlike single lungeing, this gives you both an inside and an outside influence. You can truly bend the horse, engage the inside hind leg, and build the connection from mouth to hand — without being in the saddle. Many instructors use the technique as a transition from lungeing to ridden work, but experienced riders also use it as rehabilitation training after an injury or as a deepening of groundwork, as seen in the Spanish School of Riding or classical dressage.

Equipment needed for a good start

• Two lunge lines of at least 8 metres each, preferably with a lightweight snap hook
• A lunging surcingle with multiple D-rings on the sides (or a saddle with stirrups tied up)
• A well-fitting cavesson or snaffle bit — no pelham or other double bridle for beginners
• Riding gloves for sufficient grip, especially with a lively horse
• A quiet, enclosed space of at least 20 by 40 metres

How to attach the lunge lines correctly

Attach the inner lunge line to the inside of the bit and guide it through the lower side ring of the surcingle to your hand. The outer lunge line passes over the dock (through the tail ring or via the lower outer ring of the surcingle) to your other hand. Make sure the outer lunge line does not hang too low — aim for an angle of approximately 30 degrees relative to the ground. Start on a large circle of 15 to 18 metres in diameter, walk alongside the horse on the track, and gradually increase your distance. In the first sessions, ask for nothing more than walk and trot; canter only follows once the horse responds calmly and straight to both lines.

Common mistakes and how to avoid them

• Outer lunge line too tight: the horse loses impulsion and becomes crooked — always maintain a elastic contact, never a fixed hand
• Walking too far behind the horse: you lose the driving influence; position yourself level with the shoulder to the middle of the horse
• Moving onto a circle of less than 10 metres too soon: this overloads the joints, especially in young horses
• Skipping changes of rein: always work equally long on the right rein and the left rein for balanced development
• Impatience during initial confusion: give the horse 3 to 5 minutes to get used to the feeling of the outer lunge line along its flank

Progressive plan for the first four weeks

A structured approach prevents frustration for both horse and rider. Log your training sessions in EquiSight via the horse profile so you can easily look back at patterns and progress.

• Week 1 — Introduction: 2 sessions of 15 minutes, walk only on a large circle (18 metres), focus on a calm connection
• Week 2 — Adding trot: 3 sessions of 20 minutes, alternating walk-trot-walk, pay attention to even activity of the hindquarters
• Week 3 — Straightness and turns: 3 sessions of 25 minutes, turning in and out, small circle (12 metres) in walk
• Week 4 — Variation: 3 sessions of 30 minutes, including changes of rein, varied tempos, and optionally the first canter on a large circle

Connect groundwork to your ridden training

The double lunge is not an end in itself, but a bridge. After each session, record in EquiSight what you have practised — bend to the left, throughness to the right, walk-trot transitions — and use EquiCoach to analyse your observations and plan next steps. This way you can directly see which groundwork exercises have an effect on the ridden work that follows. Riders who consistently link groundwork and saddle sessions in their schedule report that their horses become noticeably more supple through the ribcage after 6 to 8 weeks and respond better to the leg.