Help with stop aid in long lines

[thatsmygirl]

Iv started my pony long reining and all is going well, very forward going in fact a bit much at times and I have to slow him down as he wants to jog on and get on with things. He's finding the arena a bit boring and he's only young, turned 3, a couple of months ago so not doing a great deal but just getting more education into him ready to break next summer and I figure long reining out will do us both good, fitness wise as I stuggle with his weight ( highland) iv got him listening to my voice quite well for walking on, stand, trot etc and although wearing a roller and bridle iv still got the lines attacted to his head collar until he's perfect to save his mouth. Now on the way out when he's keen and he is enjoying himself he don't want to stand, I use my voice as normal which he knows and slight pressure on the lines to which he will stand but as soon as I release the pressure he walks straight on, so I guess he's got the idea but I can't get him to stand when I release pressure. Tried just voice but he needs the slight pressure to back my voice up. I keep doing it thought out our sessions which are short and sweet due to the fact he finds it mentally tiring ( 10 mins and he falls asleep in the stable) now any tips? I need to release my pressure when he stops as a rewards and to let him know he's done right but need him to stand until I tell him to walk on again. He knows how to do it as on the way home when he's tired he will do it perfect most of the time it's when he's keen on the way out. He's only doing 3 times a week which is normally 1 arena session where we practice lunging on 2 reins followed by long reining in/out things, turns etc, a walk out in hand where there's no really training just a fun walk with a bit of cow parsley but must obay my voice as normal and a long reining session which changes to where we go. Any tips at all? he's very willing to listen, learn and I am having no real issues just this to work on.

 

[thatsmygirl]

Anybody

 

[Devonshire dumpling]

My baby was 3 last week, and is already a lot further along than yours, he is ridden out for 2 miles once a week, but when we long lined him about 6 mths ago, only about 6 times in total, we just had one of us walk at his head to steady him, but he already knew what stand and halt was as we have walked him out fora hack in hand from 2 yrs old..... so I suggest you have 2 of you and teach him stand and woah...ps yes always release and have baggy lines when he is stood

 

[Fii]

I like to say "and" before any command, it teaches them to listen and gives them a warning that you are about to ask them something! ......."aaaaand whoa-oh" then relax the reins and yourself...deep breath out...if he walks on just repeat, if he gets arsy and walks backwards , ask him to walk on a step or two..."and walk on" (upbeat voice) then aaaaaand whoa-oh...

 

[Foxford]

Can you circle him? If so that might help. Otherwise, you can use your body positioning a little bit by standing to the side so he can see you better. I found if my horse saw me standing still he was less likely to fidget! Also I found a dually head collar gave me more control and better steering than a cavesson.

 

[nich]

Can you circle him? If so that might help. Otherwise, you can use your body positioning a little bit by standing to the side so he can see you better. I found if my horse saw me standing still he was less likely to fidget! Also I found a dually head collar gave me more control and better steering than a cavesson.

Agree with all of this. I use a dually, body mirroring, and also breathing. Teach breathing aids as you would voice. This will also help when you ride.