loungeing

Question
hi there
I have a standarbred i am starting.  She is 4, was trained to be a pacer at the track for two months about a year and a hlaf two years ago.  dont know a great deal about what she knows.  she is obedient with groundwork, i am getting ready to start lounging her,  how exactly would you start a mare off on the lounge line.  i dont want to get hurt or have anyone get hurt.  i have worked with many difficult horses, this one is not mean but i want to take necessary safety measures and get good advice.  Please help:)
thank you. if you culd email me with a response i would greatly appreaciate it.
Danielle

Answer
The easiest way to get a horse lunging is if you have a round pen... however I am going to assume that you don't, so I will go a bit more detailed.

Do you have someone who can help you? It makes things a lot easier if you do... a fit person on top of that. ;) Also, do you know if your mare wore any kind of leg protection while racing? If she did, it is a good idea to use whatever she was using before, to avoid her injuring her legs.

Once she is all geared up (start with just halter and lunge line, plus leg protection) take hold of the line and stand in the center of your lunging area. Ask your helper to clip a lead rope on her on the OUTSIDE of the circle. Have them lead her around in a circle while you stand in the middle, as if you were lunging her on your own.

Gradually you should have your helper walk a bit farther behind the mares shoulder so that she starts looking at you.. eventually, have your helper completely step away. By this time she will hopefully be listening completely to you.

I know that this is a long process, but it is the easiest. If you don't have a helper then you need to start off on a much smaller circle. You'll have to tap the mare on the hindquarters with you whip, while stepping towards her hind end too and at the same time try to guide her forward with your other hand... it's a bit tricky, but okay once you get the hang of it. Slowly you can let her circle farther and farther.

I hope this has helped you, and good luck!