Help with long-reining please

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marie_d_3

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I'm bringing my mare back into work very slowly after a long lay-off. Just been doing work from the ground for now but I need some help with long reining please! I'm finding her to have quite a bit of temper and wonder if she is uncomfortable. Side reins that are normally a comfortable length are really baggy and she seems to be very "bunched up". I would call this collected in a more experienced horse but she is not that forward in her training nor fit enough to move in this manner. I am consciously trying to "give" her the reins but I tend to just get more speed and no more relaxation! Help please, many thanks
 
What is she like without the side reins? Has she been long reined before?

Try taking off the side reins. Shorten up the long riens so you are more to the side of her, around where the saddle would end and see if that helps, you can then go gradually backwards. If you use a driving whip or schooling whip you are in a less dangerous place too.
 
Hi, thanks for your reply. She would have been long reined as a youngster but it's not something I've done much off with her.

She is just the same without side-reins, in fact they are having no impact as they are hanging loosely BUT when I lead her in hand with the side reins on they seems the right length, hence why I feel she is "bunching herself up" if that makes sense.

I think I will try your suggestion of standing further forward - maybe I could do this with normal reins as they would be long enough? I don't use a whip as she is so forward going she will move off from voice/a click alone.
 
You could try long-reining 'vienna style' I think it's called, with the two lines through the top two D rings of your roller. My horse dislikes the feel of the lines around his flanks and quarters - although he'll tolerate it he goes infinitely better if they aren't brushing against him. You can also use the long-reins more like normal reins from this position so you probably won't need the sidereins.

Hope that helps!
 
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