Hello
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After watching the lesson on single line lunging on the Uni, I have to say that this is a practice I no longer use. I was surprised at how the horse's body bends on a single line. I also experimented with my horses and found that when I asked my horses to canter (lope) on the single line, they were nearly always disunited (front and back ends on different leads) - just like on the Online video. I had never taken much notice before - but I normally do most of my lunging work at a trot where leads are not relevant.
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Using the two lines took a bit of getting used to when I first started, but I am used to it now, and have found that my horses are more supple when I ride them. So, using 2 lines produces better results for me and looks more comfortable for the horse.
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I have also found that many people who are traditional horsemen and women discount the methods taught and advocated here on the Online University because they don't understand what's being taught. So don't worry too much about her worrying that you may become one-sided.
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The other thing is that I firmly believe we can learn something from everyone we meet - which includes traditional horse trainers who may or may not agree with the methods we use.
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So, when your instructor says that there is more to lunging, what does she mean? I am keen to learn more and am really interested in what she is trying to say.
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Why don't you offer to show your instructor the Single Line Lunging video?? That may prompt some good discussion for you both.
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Kind regards,
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Gen

I don't remember what she meant by more to lunging. I didn't keep her email. I think she meant that there's different methods for lunging. I've tried to send her a video of the demonstration of two line lunging, but I couldn't find one on youtube. Can you help me find a video that I cam send to her?

Hello again
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I was thinking that you could both sit down together and watch the LONG LINING For The Single-Line Longed Horse series of videos posted here on the Online University together. There are 6 videos in the series.
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The reason why I thought this would be a good idea is because of the airial shots taken of the horse while its being single line lunged and double line lunged. The differences in the horse's body alignment are incredible. Those airial shots are what really hit home for me. Then I went out into my round yard and experimented and really took notice of what my horse was doing and I was surprised I hadn't seen it before.
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Perhaps when you guys get together, you can log onto the University and watch the above mentioned series together? I will have a look around to see what else I can find, but the lessons here would be the best. She may even get interested in Monty's methods? That would be pretty good :-)
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Kind regards,
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Gen

Hi
When I watched the lunging lesson, I did not agree with Monty, Lunging is still something I will do.
I wouldnt just stop doing it based on one persons theory there are many other really good trainers who do lung their horses with no problem at all.

Gen, thanks.

I definitely prefer the long-lining in two lines, esp. in my younger horse. There is nothing you can do on a single line that can't be done at least as well on two.
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However, I can lounge my older mare in one line and she will form herself correctly because she is well schooled, and her body has the right muscles/suppleness.
I would not recommend lounging (single line) any horse without some kind of side reins or a chambon to help them with the position of their heads and balance.

Hi again Horse Addict
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Just a quick note to let you know that I have not been able to find anything other than the lesson here on the Uni that discusses single line lunging vs double line lunging.
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I agree with HorseCrazy that you shouldn't just stop doing something just because one person says so. But from what I saw in the airial shots in the videos this is definately something I refrane from now and like Kicki I find it just as easy to use two lines. Its also a good suggestion from Kicki to use side reins to position the head when single line lunging.
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This is a decision you have to make based on what you believe is the best for you and your horses. Discuss it with as many people as you can because we can learn from everyone we meet :-) and discussion forms a solid basis from which to make an educated desicion :-)
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See you later,
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Gen

Hi Gen! I think sometime when I meet with my instructor I can show her Monty's book that shows the lunging.

Thanks for trying to help everyone!

Horse Addict

This is something I have been trying to figure out too. Is single line lunging all that bad?
Monty does a great job of showing the affects of single line lunging and it makes perfect sense to me.

I see single line lunging is not good for horses and don't want to
do it anymore but it has been part of my bases for working with horses. For one thing, to give lessons the kids always go on a single lung line at first. Are you able to do lessons with double lines? Or any ideas of how else to start a beginner in riding?

I guess my final thoughts are that single line lunging is not the best thing for horses. I will now try to stay away from it and use double lines as much as possible. I think that "no single line lunging" is referring to sending a horse over level ground in a circle around you. I do not see a problem with sending your horse over obstacles,like in training, using a single line. Just not in a circle around you.

Until I'm shown that single line lunging is fine for horses, in as good a way as Monty showed it is bad for horses, I will stick with Monty!

"For one thing, to give lessons the kids always go on a single lung line at first. Are you able to do lessons with double lines? Or any ideas of how else to start a beginner in riding? "
There is a risk that the rider gets tangled up int he outer line, but there are more ways than one to skin a cat. ;)
You can use a leadrope and a delta and have someone (if not yourself) walk with the rider around the arena.
Or you can use a single line with sidereins.

Hi Joy and Kicki
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Teaching kids to ride is one scenario I still use a single line for. But I position the child's hands and reins so that they are bending the horse's head in toward the centre of the circle. So the child is keeping the horse's head in the correct position and acting as my side reins.
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Of course this takes some getting used to for the child, but teaching them how to bend their horse with their hands and legs when going in a circle is something they need to know anyway. Might as well learn from the word go :-)
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I have always asked the kids to ride like this while on a lunge line even before I watched the video here on the Uni because I felt it was a good habbit for them to learn.
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I think that what Monty Roberts is talking about with regard to single line lunging is when this is used for the purpose of putting the horse to work. After watching the video I do not "work" my horses on a single line.
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Other than with the kids, I haven't come up with any other reason to use a single lunge line...
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See you later,
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Gen

Well hi everyone,
A quick couple of comments on the lunging debate.
1. My horse (as yours Gen) at canter on the single line used to always either cross-gait (disunited) or canter on the wrong lead. There was an immediate change once I started using the double lines. Occasionally he gets in wrong, but mostly he's correct.
2. I can't remember where he says this, but I'm sure Monty says if you're going to lunge anyway, there are two things you should do. First, clip the line under the chin (rather than on the top of the cavesson halter). Then, he says the best thing you can use is a system designed by Nelson Pessoa, where it's an all in one system that goes from the top of the roller, behind the horse, and then through the side of the roller to the bit and then between the front legs of the horse. I have also seen it called the Mark Todd Training System.
HOWEVER, I was previously lunging my horse using the Pessoa, and he was cross-gaiting and going on the wrong lead as mentioned above, so I don't see any reason to use it when we can simply long line with two lines and get excellent results. (except of course, using a single line with beginners).
So that's just my thoughts!
Ruth

I hope Monty didn't recommend the Pessoa lounge-system. At least not if it is the same one I know of.
In the right hands, it has some advantages, but it also has a BIG disadvantage. The thighs/shins will connect with the line behind the horse and since it goes to the bit, it will get pulled in the mouth every step.

Thanks Gen and Kicki for your help! I love the university's forum. It is so helpful to hear the thoughts of other horse women and men!

My instructor might not accept this technique of not using a single line.

Just a quick comment in relation to double lines/riding...Monty has stated clearly that there must never be a rider on the horse when long-lining (using double lines), its too risky.

viccihh1, good point.