Maybe it is just instinct, we will hope so anyway. Don't have much experience lunging horses. I was told not to do that with gaited horses.
Tell you a secret. She probably doesn't need to be lunged but we are there and she's so good at it. Usually I just play with her outside with a long lead rope while Okie gets the works in the pen. I used to just tie her up on the wash rack but she would keep knickering. It keeps her busy til I'm ready to ride:')