[a. F. longe halter, lunge, var. of OF. loigne (whence LOYN, LUNE1):—popular L. *longea, f. L. long-us LONG a.]
† 1. gen. A thong, cord. Obs.
1607. Topsell, Four-f. Beasts, 94. Their [Camels’] feet (although fleshy) are so tyed together with little lunges that they neuer weare.
2. A long rope used in training horses, being fastened at one end to the horse’s head and held at the other by the trainer, who causes the horse to canter round in a circle.
1720. W. Gibson, Diet Horses, vii. (1726), 105. He recommends those who stand together in an open Stable,… to be secured with two Bindings, and for that Purpose, the Ropes or Longes ought to be so long, that they may easily lie down.
1778. Earl Pembroke, Mil. Equitat., 37. In the beginning a longe is useful … to help both the rider and the horse.
1845. Lady Stanhope, Mem., I. vi. 201. And round this [green plat] the grooms, with longes, were made to run them [two mares] until they were well warmed.
3. a. The use of the lunge in training horses. b. A circular exercising-ground in which the lunge is used; ‘the training ground for the instruction of a young horse’ (Voyle, Mil. Dict., 1872–6).
1833. Regul. Instr. Cavalry, I. 40. One Manege will thus contain two good circles or longes. Ibid., 78. The horse has rested … after the longe.
1839. Greenwood, Hints Horsemanship, 87. A horse … should never be compelled to canter in the longe, though he may be permitted to do it of himself.
1886. ‘Stonehenge,’ Rur. Sports (ed. 16), 469/2. The colt should be kept going round the lunge, until [etc.].
4. attrib.
1839. Greenwood, Hints Horsemanship, 88. Such powerful instruments as the longe-cord and whip. Ibid., 90. With the longe-whip in skilful hands.
1868. H. C. R. Johnson, Long Vac. Argent. Alps, xxix. 153. One of the girths of my saddle, the longe surcingle, and three or four large silk handkerchiefs … gave me, as I thought, length enough.
