Long reining... A small tip which has helped many!

Queenbee

Queenbee

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So many people mention their horses being afraid of ropes around their hind quarters... Many even stop long reining because they believe their horse is one of the rare few that wont get used to it.

A few years I came across someone who was going through this and I recommended tying a string of bailer twine or using a stable bandage, tying it to one side of a roller, around the hindquarters and back to the other side, then loose schooling until the horse is relaxed with the feel of this, then moving on to long reining.

Since then I've recommended this to many people and touch wood, it has worked every time so far! So I just thought I'd share. Most of you probably have similar strategies but for those who don't... Hope it helps
 
If you use the tail bandage around the hind quarters and attach it to the roller it increases sensory awareness and helps them use their hind quarters more.
 
I do this with a bandage with my foals when they are merely days old, job done, anyway, early introduction to leading with a butt rope etc does the same thing.

I wish more people would do more with youngstock, it stands them in such good stead.
 
Enfys said:
I do this with a bandage with my foals when they are merely days old, job done, anyway, early introduction to leading with a butt rope etc does the same thing.

I wish more people would do more with youngstock, it stands them in such good stead.
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Actually you've just reminded me... I did something like this with Ben rope off the headcollar to lead and a bum rope to encourage him forward when he stood like he'd been encased in cement... Must have been why he never gave a damn about the lines:rolleyes:


The standing joke our way is me doing star jumps flapping and clicking and doing everything possible to get him moving forward whilst waving the lines in an attempt to be all kinds of scary and him just standing there, the only part of him moving was his head swivelling around to look at me with an eeyore expression:o:p
 
Thank you QB :D

And to you too E :D

I have a just eleven month old colt foal (he's been cut). We do a lot of handling all over, which he's very good with, only tries to nibble head when I'm draped over his back (my feet are on the ground!). Would like to do the rope/bandage thing, especially for leading as he tends to plant/go backwards. He's happy with a rug :). I don't know how to do the rope round him thing though - any good books to guide me? He's handled daily.
 
I always teach horses it isn't a problem so long as they learn to move away from it - pass it from the halter/caveson etc along the far side of the neck, along the body and round above the hocks to your hand. Apply a little pressure and wait for the horse to work out if he heads away from you he can release the pressure. Do it on both sides and it gives them the confidence to know it is something they can deal with.
 
I'd be a little wary of that technique QB, it's called flooding and in a horse that's really scared could be very dangerous. I prefer systematic desensitisation where you take a bit of time and keep it all under control and you're working with a horse that is calm enough to learn. You can start with a leadrope on the back and gradually sweep it back and down further and further, then loop the rope and start with the loop high on the quarters and gradually slip that down further. At each stage I'd ask the horse to move, forward, back and turn with the rope in gradually more difficult positions. You can do it yourself or ask a friend to do the leading as long as they understand you're starting with just one step and building from there.

The horse is more likely to learn if it stays calm and less likely to run through a fence in terror.
 
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