Almost every green horse started his training on the lunge. Young horses can be lunged even before they are introduced to the saddle and bridle. A head collar or a lungeing caveson is usually all the tack they need. The goal at this stage is simply to get them going forward at the voice commands. A whip can be used to encourage the horse to step forward and around you, but I personally prefer to avoid the whip if the horse is willing to go forward on his own. The lunge line should be long enough for the horse to circle 20 meters in diameter. A small circle can be damaging to the horse’s legs since his muscles and flexibility have not yet developed.

When a saddle is introduced, the horse is lunged again to get his accustomed to its feel on his back. Later on, he can be lunged in side-reins as well. There is much more detail to starting young horses, and anyone who attempts breaking a young one should be experienced enough.