babies and side reins...

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MrVelvet

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Rightyo.... My horse is 3, hes not yet backed just lunged. I want to start long reining. I am experienced at this but wanted a helper! I enlisted a helper... she says the following .. is she right or wrong. (he is only lightly lunged and has had side reins on very loosely. lunge line is connected to cavesson)

"You cannot begin to long rein a horse unless you've had his head strapped into an outline with side reins, just leave him strapped up in his box so he gets used to it!" (by strapped up i mean, nose vertical)


He has felt the contact as I have begun to lunge with to lines and held the outside rein so he has felt two reins. I was planning on begining to long rein, have him backed, turn him away.... bring him back into work.. get him working forwards and then maybe start to ask him to collect. am I wrong, honest answers please.
 
You are right he does not need to be strapped in,I would do as you are,lunge with two reins then gradually start to make turns and do straight lines as and when the horse is confident.You are obviously in no hurry so go with your instincts and take your time he will be better for it.
 
ahh thanks guys :) she said it was to build topline too. He has his dinner off his door, his hay on the floor and Il gradually ask for outline when hes bigger and stronger. Hes not destined for the showring anytime soon so can be as gawky as he likes (of course he is not gawky, he is very handsome :D)
 
I've known a couple of top show yards that do this, personally I don't agree with it, it teaches a horse to come into a false outline, not a true one. But the main reason for them doing it is to create the big showing neck/crest. I have 2 x 2 year olds and have put side reins on both on the lunge, but literally just tight enough that they start to feel a loose contact on the rein as opposed to pulling them in at all. Then when you work them forward they should learn to go into the contact. After this the feel of the long reins should come as second nature. I've also shown inhand this year off bridles so they are used to a contact from that too.
 
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