long reining, Please help!!!

[MrReally]

Hello guys can I have some help please

Have been long reining my ponio and she is going well, just one problem she keeps snatching at the reins

I am putting saddle on and putting lunge reins through the stirrups to the bit rings. I started using a roller but thought that because it goes higher to the rings from the bit and then back down to my hands that might be why she was snatching, but using the saddle so the reins are pretty much in a straight line doesn't seem to be helping.
I'm ok at long reining, but not the best so it might be me?
Any thoughts?

 

[millitiger]

if she is snatching i would guess that the contact is too strong.

how much weight do you have in your hand?

ideally if you are running them through stirrups you want a lighter contact than when riding to combat the pulley system you will get at the stirrup.

are you working on a circle or straight lines?

 

[mik]

Often this is a reaction to pressure, so, check teeth, how heavy are the reins, is she (are you) pulling, what bit are you using, make sure it isn't too fat and heavy for her mouth, or to narrow/wide. Don't put on a tight nose band as this can cause babies to feel very uncomfy and restricted.
Make a note of exactly when she does the snatches OR is when begins them, if it is after say 10 min, is she tired in her neck and does she need to have a break?
Get a friend to watch and see what they can see, book a lesson with and instructor to give you a hand at locating the problem, you don't want to allow this to continue.
Might be head shaking? Unlikely, but try a nose net?
Hope one of these ideas helps!

 

[MrReally]

Thanks for the ideas!

That does make sense as she has a very soft sensative mouth.

I am trying to be very gentle with the reins softer than if I was riding, the bit is a looses ring Neue schole starter bit and see seems to be ok with it when leading round the school. she doesn't have a noseband on at all at the moment.
She seems to be doing it all the time from when we start we have only been doing sessions of 10 mins at the most as I worry she cant deal with the contact.
The lunge reins are quite thick soft web, so might be heaver. She seems to be stretching down, but also snatching?
Her teeth were last seen by the vet, so I should get a decent EDT out really just to check.
I might have to get someone in to have a go, although my helper and I have longlined loads of babies in the past (will admit I'm not the best but ok enough)

Thanks guys

 

[MrReally]

Sorry just thought, could it be that I dont have enough of a contact on the reins as I am trying to keep the a bit floppy due to her snatching?

 

[Kenzo]

She may be seeking a contact or seeing how much you do actually have, its important to go with the movement but still maintaining a good contact as you would when riding, so you need to let your elbows go back and forth gently and hold the lines as you would do with the reins so you have a good but soft feel of the mouth.

 

[millitiger]

how are you holding the lines?

i have then coming up through my hands with thumbs on top the same way i do when riding so you can flex your wrists and elbows in the same way.

try her on a circle and try and work her into the outside hand a bit the same way you do when riding to see if that improves it.

if you have a 'floppy' rein it may be too inconsistent and possibly jabbing her in the mouth?