long reining - keeping it interesting

[Orchardbeck]

Anyone any tips on exercises that can be done on long reins? I'm not able to ride at the min, horse is enjoying her long reining sessions but all we've done so far is walk and trot in circles with a few transitions, introduced a pole, and 'hacking out' in straight lines.

We've added a chambon as an experiment, just loose, and this has helped her really concentrate instead of running around with her head in the air.

Any other ideas?

 

[be positive]

Lots more transitions, you can get her to "leg yield", walk through poles as well as over them, put poles on circles as well as straight lines, raise them, bend through obstacles, there are loads of exercises you can do but the chances are it will be you getting bored not her, just concentrating and working well should be enough to keep the horse interested for a short time each day.

 

[rara007]

Transitions within the pace, practise a circle with you I the middle changing direction. Can eventually do direct transitions. Bending around cones. Normal Dressage tests.

 

[tallyho!]

If she is established with basic rein aids, you could try schooling in-hand. You generally work with shorter reins and walk beside the horse (are you fit? ) and if you have good communication with the direct and indirect reins then you can do nearly all the lateral movements in-hand.

Why don't you search for books on in-hand work? It's a very rewarding tool.

 

[Orchardbeck]

Be positive, I think you're right. Yesterday she had her ears pricked for the whole session, one locked on me, theother facing forward so I could tell she was enjoying herself. I was just worried about it becomi g repetitive, but I wonder if That's where we've been going wrong and she actually needs more repetition of certain exercises.

Rara, great idea re dressage tests, That's the motivation I need to get learning some intros!

Tallyho, i'm fit (ish) but 6 months pregnant so trot is kind of out at the min, I'm not a pregnant jogger type! Can handle a decent walk out though. I took her out in the woods on the lead rein at the weekend, we had a lovely time but my round ligaments suffered for it that night! Do you recommend any books?

 

[tallyho!]

Ooh congratulations! You're just a smidge behind me and I can't run anymore. I stopped riding at 5 months and I just long-rein at walk now... it's tough isn't it!

I have a few of the books in the selection from Amazon below. I once knew nothing about lungeing and long-reigning until I met a lady who had trained in Portugal. She transformed my relationship with horses and I have to say, in-hand work is deeply satisfying once you get into it.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb...e&rh=n:266239,k:in-hand+training+of+the+horse

Alfons Dietz, Oliver Hilberger & Joe Camp are the authors I quite like but if you can find some of the "Old Masters" books like Alois Podjhadsky you won't go far wrong. Philippe Karl, if you can get hold of any books from him are good (the videos are extortionate and having lent one out and never got it back I don't do loans anymore!!!).

Enjoy your shopping and furthermore... enjoy your horse in-hand!!!