Long lining help for an incompetent novice

[Daniel_Jack]

As part of my horses rehab I've been told to long line 2/3 times a week. Straight lines and wide turns only to avoid strain on the suspensory ligaments.

Unfortunately I'm not great at it. I really struggle not to get the lines all muddled - not mixed up but just can't seem to keep the lines all looped up and keep an even contact.

I've tried lessons with 2 different instructors - one was really nasty and gave me no constructive advice and basically just told me I was no good. The other just wasn't great at articulating how to do it.

For now, I'm just leaving the lines dragging along the ground with just one loop (monty Roberts style) but the lines are now wet, heavy and dirty.

Any advice/tips on how to improve? Other than just practice?

 

[rara007]

Sorry, yes just practice... Make sure you’re saying safe as it can go wrong much quicker than you’d expect.

 

[conniegirl]

In a school or out on tracks?
I have 2 sets of longlines, a shorter pair i use out on tracks, tbh ive found with them that when im at the end of them they are the right length for a walk out so no loops needed. I can’t deal with loads of excess line out on walks.

In the school, (and people are probs going to shout at me for this) i have a longer set that I knot the ends together, allow the horse further from me and let the end drag but i am very aware of where my feet are in relation to the dragging loop.

 

[Gloi]

Providing your horse isn't a kicker start out with a shorter pair and use plough lines rather than lunge reins so you haven't as much weight. If you are rehabbing and just walking you don't need to be miles away from your horse. If you get into a mess you can drop one rein and bring him onto a circle.

 

[katastrophykat]

Whereabouts are you OP? A good local driving instructor might be the way forwards with this one!

 

[CanteringCarrot]

In a school or out on tracks?
I have 2 sets of longlines, a shorter pair i use out on tracks, tbh ive found with them that when im at the end of them they are the right length for a walk out so no loops needed. I can’t deal with loads of excess line out on walks.

In the school, (and people are probs going to shout at me for this) i have a longer set that I knot the ends together, allow the horse further from me and let the end drag but i am very aware of where my feet are in relation to the dragging loop.

I do the same except for the dragging loop. My long longlines did come attached and I cut them. I rather drag two stray lines then one loop. Seems safer to me I guess. I am aware of where the lines are too.

It's useful to have two sets of lines. One short set for "hacking" around.





You might be able to catch some YouTube videos. For reasons unknown to me, I picked up long lining in one lesson (I did more) and it was just so natural. Whereas a friend has long lined a fair amount but still can't get it right or just doesn't have the knack for it. I would see if you know anyone else that does it that can help you out. It doesn't have to be an instructor exactly, just someone with experience.

I am not so great at explaining it because I just have the "feeling" and do it.

 

[paddy555]

In a school or out on tracks?
I have 2 sets of longlines, a shorter pair i use out on tracks, tbh ive found with them that when im at the end of them they are the right length for a walk out so no loops needed. I can’t deal with loads of excess line out on walks.

this, short longlines. My hands don't work too well and I use what I think is yacht rope. Round rope and very easy to hold. Once you get rid of the long lines which you are concentrating all your efforts on you will find it much easier as you can concentrate on the horse.
Have a back up plan. If something goes wrong have a back up plan. Drop one rope, both hands on the other rope and turn the horse into a circle around you.

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

Ideally you need to practise with a horse that is used to longlining. From a safety pov, I would just lead the horse out, there is no benefit to the horse of you having an accident getting caught up in longlines and not much difference in the exercise the horse will get, you will just need to be careful to keep the horse straight while you are leading.

 

[soloequestrian]

I made myself two lines that are much shorter than lunge lines and are different colours (one black, one cream). I also have two leather loops (from a breastplate, they are about the size of a dog collar) that I clip to the saddle to support the reins. I've tried using stirrups for this and it just didn't work - they lift away from the saddle and one actually came off, also the loops put the reins in a position that is more like hands. I still end up doing a lot of faffing on the turns to reel in the new inside rein but because they are reasonably short they don't get in such a tangle. I've lunged for years (and it was part of my BHS exams) but I've only taught myself to long rein recently.

 

[paddy555]

are different colours (one black, one cream).

really good tip. My ropes are different colours.

 

[fredflop]

I’ve attempted long reining once...
Anyway what I would suggest is using heavy “natural horsemanship” type ropes for it. They come in a variety of lengths and are far better than standard lungelined

 

[Dontforgetaboutme]

I have this kit https://www.equestrianworld.co.uk/shop/Claire-Lilly-Training-Kit-M4509

it contains a single lunge line twhich I use to long rein but also can lunge as you would using 2 lines. Is much easier to do.

 

[Littlebear]

I got mine on ebay £10 for a pair, soooo much easier than using 2 lunge lines. Otherwise if you have a lunge rein with a loop at the end you can put in through and round so its one continued rope so no excess to deal with.
Once you are comfortable with the shorter length (and trust me that is a massive difference not dealing with all the excess rope) just remember you have an inside and outside rein when you turn, the same as when you ride dont just use the inside rein, you will get the loss of the outside of the horse in the same way x

 

[BBP]

I long rein Vienna/Italian style, so walking near the hind quarters on shorter reins, rather than 16miles away from him on lunge lines.like you I found I was just in a muddle. Importantly i trust my horse implicitly not to kick and I only do it in my arena. If we go out for walks I do it in hand instead.

I find Vienna style feels more similar to riding. I have better feel than when on longer lines and I can ask for lift and flexion more easily as I don’t fix the rein by running through a surcingle, I’m free to lift or open my hand as I feel the need. I can also see what he is doing over his back more easily when I’m right there with him. We still need work on traverse but our shoulder in is not bad now!

I had lessons with someone near Milton Keynes. I can’t for the life of me remember the guys name, he had a lovely advanced Friesian that he used for teaching.

 

[Griffin]

Long reining is not one of my special skills but I have found, as other posters have said, having two different coloured lines helps.

I also use a headcollar and lead rope to get them into the school so that I don't have to keep clipping and unclipping everything (which is guaranteed to get me into a muddle).

However, I agree with PaS, if you make sure your are straight, you are probably just as well to lead the horse.

 

[Daniel_Jack]

Thanks for all the replies and suggestions. We only longline in the arena with me walking close behind which is what I prefer.

Pony is a saint and great to long line and not a kicker.

Short reins sound like the solution! I already use different colours but that's not the issue - it's just when the lunge lines are all looped they feel bulky in my hands and I end up dropping them!

 

[Daniel_Jack]

I got mine on ebay £10 for a pair, soooo much easier than using 2 lunge lines. Otherwise if you have a lunge rein with a loop at the end you can put in through and round so its one continued rope so no excess to deal with.
Once you are comfortable with the shorter length (and trust me that is a massive difference not dealing with all the excess rope) just remember you have an inside and outside rein when you turn, the same as when you ride dont just use the inside rein, you will get the loss of the outside of the horse in the same way x

Do you have a link to what you use please?

 

[Polos Mum]

If it's really a struggle and you've tried help then in the short term I'd speak to your vet about whether you can just lead instead. Rehab isn't the best time to learn a new skill.
It maybe if the vet needs her to work in a certain way they you could lead in some sort of gadget (pessoa or that bum elastic band / tail bandage thingy) or if its straight exercise then just walking might be best.

Then you can get out an about - even the outside of a school involves some constant turning (assuming you don't have a 50 x 50 beauty!)