long reining problem

C

Cassy

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I am bringing my cob mare back into work after having the winter off. I have long reined her down the lane for 2 weeks and around the arena. This week I decided to introduce trot but am having lots of problems with her bucking and towing me around the arena. I have had to let go of the reins twice and today was hanging on for grim death as she bucked, twisted and took off at the canter. Last year we mostly hacked as I didn't have a school so although she has been lunged and long reined in previous years. It is quite out of character as she is usually quite hard to motivate when ridden. I decided to eliminate any pain be giving her a few days of bute as she initially was ok on the left rein but bad on the right, but today she was equally bad on both reins.
I had her checked by a physiotherapist before she was turned away because we were having problems with the saddle slipping to the right, but although her conformation isn't the best she was in no discomfort in her back.
Any ideas?
 
I would lunge first let her buck and mess get it all out of her system ,putting lunge through the near side bit ring and over her head attaching to off side of the bit so you have control ,then lunge in side reins untill settled and then try the long reining more like lunging in two long reins ,then move onto being behind her if thats what your aiming at doing ,keep side riens on for control ,if she dosent improve after a couple of sessions maybe think about getting her checked again to rule out problems ,good luck with her .
 
If you really can't take hold and stop her I would change from long reining to lungeing, you'd have to be quick, the moment she did it and send her out to make her think it was your idea and don't let her come back to a walk until you ask her!
 
*ditto* calon's response. I always lunge first with the 2 reins until the 'freshness' has been expressed and then move onto long reining behind and slightly to side just incase of bucking/kicking. I try and do plenty of upward and downward transmissions and serpentines etc just to make it more interesting for both of us and keep the horse 'listening' and interested. I always wear a hat too.
 
Hi I agree with the above replies but when she goes a bit loopy and tries to get away from you, instead of trying to hold on with both long lines then having to drop both, drop one earlier and pull the other so that her head starts to come round which means she won't be able to keep going. Sounds rough but its not really, it doesn't take much at all to ask the head to change direction and at least its not teaching her to get away from you. You can be firmer if necessary if she carries on. My older horse used to try that on but hasn't tried it since the first time I tried this and managed to hold on! Good Luck
 
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