Long-reining a 2 year old horse?

Camillieo

Camillieo

Member
Joined
9 July 2011
Messages
11
Location
Lichfield
Visit site
SORRY TO BLAB ON BUT PLEASE READ....
So I have this brilliant 2 year old Gypsy Vanner, he is bold and confident so is great at doing new things with. Recently he has been behaving badly with other people as i have been away for a week. So i have decided to do more disciplinary (to reason) work with him eg biting etc.... just to have more control and for him to under stand where his place is in our relationship...

How would i go about Long reining with him, what is the best equipment to use, best techniques?

THANKS x
 
I wouldn't long rein at that age. I have a 2yo colt that, while not nasty, didn't have great manners when I bought him last year. I've done a lot of walking in-hand and he's much better. I wore hat and gloves, used a lunge line to lead with and took a schooling whip to tap his bum/shoulder with to stop him squashing me. The latter also served as a barrier between his teeth and me, although it was more playful nipping than anything nasty. I also do some loading work and am teaching him to trot and stand nicely in-hand to keep his interest.
 
If you haven't started a horse to long rein before, get experienced help - too much rein to get tangled otherwise! ;) Its best to have help in any case until your horse gets the idea.

I also wouldn't use long reining if the horse was pushing the boundaries as you desribe. as others say, allow to mature first.
 
My very nearly 3 year old has just finished being 'backed'-I use the term lightly!

We did some long reining with her to begin with, but she has been perfectly well behaved-I would never long rein a horse who was pushing boundaries as it's a recipe for disaster with lots of ropes and stuff... I would be doing stuff on a lunge line-not lunging, but commanding your space-so teaching him to do turns, back up, walk and trot when asked etc. He's on the line so if he's a prat you can get out the way whilst still holding him, but he has to think about what he's doing and use some of his naughty energy up!!
 
Agree that if he's pushing the boundaries, it's best not to sort things while long reining. I don't think some light long reining at 2 is a bad idea, when he's behaving - especially if he's going to be big and strong and more likely to use his size against you when he's older. I would keep sessions very short though and be very careful about how much you do and how intense the work is. I would certainly rather long line in straight lines than lunge a youngster.
 
Also depends on which end of 2 he is. If he's rising 3 then a bit of long reining wouldn't hurt but if just turned 2 then I'd stick to in hand work, just tiny desensitisation sessions and walking out to see some of the world.
 
Having long reined my youngsters to start them (I prefer it to lungeing as I prefer them to work in straight lines rather than on the constant turn when they are young) I would say that if you have never long reined before do not learn how to do it with a youngster - particularly if he is being a bit bolshy.

I usually start mine in the spring of the year that they will be 3 but did start one in the autumn of his second year as he was a big strong lad.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top