Long Reining - how do you do it?

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anniedoherty

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Now that my horse's back is under investigation I want to keep him fit so I was thinking of long reining but have no idea how to do it. Are there any DVD's or anything available in case I can't find anyone to show me what to do and do you think it is a good idea to do this rather than lungeing?

He's not lame on the lunge and seems to enjoy working but I am worried about putting strain on his back with constant circling. I have been told to keep exercising him but I can no longer ride him because of his back problem. He is pretty fit and carrying no excess weight at the moment even though he is a big horse and I have been told to prevent him gaining weight so exercising him is essential in that respect too.
 
Far better than lunging, I think Richard Maxwell has a video you can buy, but if you can find someone to train you it is much better as everyone thinks it is lunging with 2 lines but it is quite different to lunging, the body language and positioning etc is different. It seems a bit complicated for the 1st 5 mins and then it is really easy once you've done it a couple of times, my horse has a killer instinct on the lunge but goes round like a poppet on long lines!
 
Seriously I really enjoyed learning, it can be fun, my instructor can do dressage tests with them - he is more than a bit better than me! The video is really good to start you off and then if you can find an instructor it all starts to make perfect sense! My horse is back in ridden work but i still long rein him now and again as it really helps me to see how he is going! We have a really good bond which the long reining helped no end!

best of luck
 
I have a really daft question regarding long reining, do you just walk them round or trot? I don't think I could keep up with my boy trottting.
 
You stand in the middle of a 20 m circle and you have control of their back end as well as their front end. Its really beneficial. You kind walk around to help them go. I would defitely suggest getting someone who knows what they are doing to show you, because there is lots to learn and think about. If your horse has never been longreined before, get someone else to do it first, and if you have never sone it before, do it on a horse who has, becuase it is much different to lunging and the horse can freak out first time! It is also normal that it takes aaaages to get the horse working properly!! good luck!
 
Thanks horsey_hunni. I am definitely going to find someone to show me how to do it first as well as getting a DVD. My horse is fine to lunge but, like you say, he may well freak out at two lines - in fact, I expect him to tbh!
 
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