Advice please: bitting/long reining

[PuzzlePiece]

Ive started to do a bit more with my youngster (rising 3). Ive broken a few horses in before, used to break arabs at work. Hes had all tack on and walked out in hand in a bridle with no issues. Tried long reining for the first time yesterday and he kept putting his head down to the ground but didnt feel strong in my hand. Whats the best way to stop him from doing this? Is it bit evasion? He always mouths nicely when he has his bit in. Im on my own most of the time, I was thinking of getting someone to walk at his head? Or maybe put side reins on too?

Many thanks in advance

 

[tallyho!]

Did you long-rein straight from the bit or did you train from a cavesson first?

 

[tallyho!]

Also, just noticed, your lines look incredibly low, maybe that has some effect on the desired head carriage, the horse may feel more comfortable with the bit at a certain angle. "Stopping" the horse doing something he needs to do to be comfortable seems counterproductive, perhaps you could look at ways to make it more comfortable for him in the long run?

 

[lpeacock]

I wouldnt say your hand are low. When long reining you want to do it as if you were riding.

He needs waking Up, he's putting his head down cause he can go for a waddle.
My warmblood does this cause he CBA.

I put the reins through the stirrups and to get him listening I flick the reins outwards (not up and down) once so it touches the side like a kick. He should then move forward, just make sure you go with him as if he goes into trot from that and you don't go with him, it will pull on his mouth and confuse him.

Also when turning, over exaggerate it until he gets the hang of it and allow the rein to slide through your hand. I.e if you are going right, play with your right rein and allow the left to slide though, giving him slack as he turns.

Good luck!