🐎 Longeing and Equine Joint Health: 2025 Vet Insights & Training Tips ⚖️

By Dr Duncan Houston BVSc

Longeing—or lungeing—is a foundational training and exercise technique where a horse is worked in a circle on a long lead line. While longeing is a valuable tool for conditioning, training young horses, and observing movement, recent veterinary insights suggest that overuse—especially at high speeds—could strain your horse’s joints. In this 2025 vet guide, we’ll explore how longeing affects joints, when it becomes risky, and how to do it safely. 🧠🦵

🔄 What Is Longeing?

Longeing involves the horse moving around a handler at the center of a circle, connected by a long line (typically 20–30 feet). It’s widely used to:

• 🔹 Exercise the horse without a rider
• 🔹 Assess lameness or gait patterns
• 🔹 Establish voice commands and groundwork discipline
• 🔹 Prepare for riding or schooling sessions

It’s a go-to method in both professional and recreational equestrian settings—but like any technique, it must be used with care. 🐴💬

⚠️ The Joint Health Concern

Recent veterinary discussions—including insights from Dr. Brian Nielsen—have raised concerns about the repetitive circular motion of longeing and its impact on joint structures. Here’s why: 🦵

When a horse moves in a tight circle:

• 📉 The load-bearing area of the joints is reduced
• ⚡ The force is concentrated on a smaller portion of the joint
• 🔁 This may increase wear-and-tear over time, particularly in knees and hocks

It’s similar to how a human would feel after jogging in small circles daily—we'd eventually develop pain or joint stress. Now multiply that by a horse’s weight (500kg+), and the stakes become much higher. 📏🐎

🔬 Is There Scientific Evidence?

While most concerns about longeing and joint health are anecdotal, Michigan State University has launched studies to determine the actual impact based on:

• 📏 Circle size
• 🏃‍♂️ Speed of movement
• ⏱️ Frequency and duration

Until the results are published, vets recommend using moderation and caution, especially in training programs that incorporate daily longeing. 🧪📉

💥 When Does Longeing Become Harmful?

Longeing is not inherently harmful. In fact, when done slowly and occasionally, it’s a safe and useful practice. But it becomes risky when:

• ⚠️ Longeing is done at high speeds (canter or gallop)
• ⏳ It’s part of a daily training regimen
• 📏 The circle is too small (less than 15 meters in diameter)
• 🔄 The horse is longeing for long durations without switching directions

These factors combine to create repetitive stress on joints, particularly in the inside limbs (left fore and hind when circling left). 🚷🦶

🛡️ How to Longe Safely in 2025

To protect your horse’s joints while still using longeing as a training tool, Dr Duncan Houston recommends the following guidelines:

• 📏 **Use a larger circle** – Minimum 18 meters (60 feet) for trotting/cantering
• 🐌 **Keep speeds low** – Prefer walk and trot over high-speed canter or gallop
• ⏱️ **Limit time** – No more than 15–20 minutes total, switching directions halfway
• 🌍 **Work both sides evenly** – To avoid asymmetrical stress
• 🧠 **Use varied footing** – Soft, even surfaces reduce impact
• 🎯 **Have a goal** – Don’t longe just to “burn energy”—make every session purposeful

🦴 Why Horses Are So Prone to Joint Stress

Horses are large, powerful animals with relatively small limb joints. That means their joints are already under significant pressure even in straight-line motion. Add uneven stress from circling, and the likelihood of developing arthritis, synovitis, or other inflammatory joint conditions increases. 🚨

This is especially important for:

• 🐎 Young horses still growing
• 🐴 Senior horses with existing joint wear
• 🎯 Performance horses under rigorous training

Using longeing sparingly and strategically is key to maintaining long-term soundness. 💡🩺

🧠 Alternative Conditioning Options

Instead of defaulting to longeing for fitness or control, consider these joint-friendly alternatives:

• 🚶 In-hand walking and long-lining
• 🏞️ Light trail work at the walk
• 🏋️ Ground poles and straight-line cavaletti exercises
• 🧘 Liberty training with balanced, varied movement

These keep your horse mentally stimulated and physically active—without repetitive joint stress. 💪🧠

📋 What to Discuss with Your Vet

Every horse is different. Before developing a longeing routine, discuss with your vet:

• 🩺 The horse’s age and joint health
• 🎯 Your training goals and frequency
• 🦶 Any previous lameness or orthopedic concerns

Personalized care plans are always best—especially when it comes to joint health. 🧬🐴

📲 Get Help from AskAVet.com

If you’re unsure whether your longeing routine is safe—or need advice on modifying it for an older or rehabbing horse—reach out to AskAVet.com or download the Ask A Vet App. 📱💬

Dr Duncan Houston and the Ask A Vet team can review your video sessions, training goals, and provide real-time support. 🐎🧠

🏁 Final Thoughts

Longeing remains a valuable tool in equine training—but like all tools, it must be used with care. In 2025, with better awareness of joint mechanics and the impact of circular motion, horse owners can adjust their practices for long-term health and soundness. 🧠⚖️

Train smart, longe with purpose, and always prioritize joint protection. Your horse will thank you. 🐴❤️

Need support? Visit AskAVet.com and get expert advice for your training program today 🐎🩺