getting a horse to walk forward - long lining

kerrieberry2

kerrieberry2

Well-Known Member
Joined
28 June 2009
Messages
2,610
Location
Basingstoke
Visit site
I have been watching some youtube videos of long lining and found a really good one, so thought I'd have a go with my 3 yr old today, but defo need someone else to help hold him whilst I getting him ready!

anyway does anyone have any idea's on getting him to walk away from me and/or in a circle rather turning in to me. he's not fazed by the lunge whip at all! I could chuck it in the air and make as much noise with it as possible and he wouldn't be bothered by it, would just stand there like a good boy!

Bare in mind i'm on a yard on my own so don't have lots of horsey people around that can assist that often?!
 
If you have someone with you they could help to lead to start and then move away quickly so as the horse is listening to you rather than following the lead.

On your own try bringing the lines over the back just past the neck and starting at the side (there are video's of this on youtube) to help you to get your youngster moving forward and feeling supported by you being closer to her head end.

I hope this helps :)
 
Just start off walking in hand but with two lunge lines , walk along side and then drop back, go down a lane eg, en route to his paddock, if he stops lightly slap the reins along his belly both sides at once, and ask "walk on. Dont go to far back, I assume he won't kick you if you slap him on the bum with your hand.
Taking him out in to a large arena gives him an advantage over you if you have no assistant.
If you are not experienced you will struggle to operate a whip, two reins and a reluctant pony!
Make sure he understands vocal commands when being led in-hand, and, will stop when you do and walk on again when you ask, both verbally and as you walk on yourself. Until he does what you ask you are not ready to move on to lungeing.
Any seroius problems and ask an experienced instructor to come and give you a lesson. Someone who has successfully broken in several horses and who knows how to instruct you.
Wear a hard hat and leather gloves, do not put hind shoes on, ...in fact now is the time to consider joining the barefoot taliban .............
 
Last edited:
I have just long lining my three year old too :)

i have found that them knowing the command walk on really helps maybe try getting him really responsive to walk and walking at the side of him with the lunge lines like crazyhorse37 explained. it get's easier i promise just keep trying :)
 
It took mine a little while to get independent forward movement, tho he was already well established in hand, led well, understood 'back' , turning and standing and did those things with long lines on. Working in an enclosed space I had OH encourage him forward and gradually fall away, building up slowly the amount of time he was able to go forward.
He's now progressed to being able to do off road tracks long reining independently for reasonable distances but again it's been a case of patiently keeping at it and building his confidence.
No doubt someone with more experience would have got him going a bit quicker perhaps.
It's a big deal for a young horse tho...mine did noticeably appear to feel a bit awestruck about apparently being out and about 'on his own', which I took as a good indication he wasn't ready to back at that point.
 
Last edited:
Watch Richard Maxwell's DVD maximise your horsemanship I think its called. He has a really neat section on just the problem you're having. It worked for me, it wasn't aggressive so the horse didn't get wound up. Patience needed but it was a better outcome in terms of horses attitude than my old style chasing with lunge whip solution. He knew voice commands but also knew he could ignore them too. : )
 
You start with lunging first if you don't have any help.

Easiest way to get them going forward independently.
 
Cool. Thanks guys was a very brief attempt as we kept getting interrupted by people walking passed so I just done some in hand stuff that he knows but in his tack Will get someone to help me next time I give it ago :) Will also try get a copy of the Richard maxwell DVD. His books are very good :)
 
When starting youngsters in longreins, I teach them first to yield to the rein, both sides, then teach them to respond to a block on the outside rein as they yield one way. This teaches them that they can be asked to yield to one rein, then stop turning and yield to the other rein when asked. Once a horse has learned that, it is unlikely that he will consider spinning round in longreins.

Then I teach them the rudiments of lunging on both reins, then on two reins, then it is a natural progression to longreining off the circle. The change of rein is easy to teach because they have learned to yield to the reins, so circles, straight lines, and serpentines can be introduced.

As a matter of course, I always tack them up when they are tied to the rail. I then untie them and back them away from the rail before turning and setting off. Having backed up for about ten yards or so, they are usually keen to go forward.
 
Tallyho I don't lunge from the bit so he figured out he could leave. Aengus og that's what I did re teaching him to yield and the outside rein block.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top