Long reining!

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Stacie_and_Jed

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I was just wondering when you guys long rein how much pressure do you keep on the outside lunge line???

I ask because my horse is terrible at lunging, there for i long rein so he cant turn in.

Also what benefits do you think it has on your horses???
 
I only long line in straight lines as I am sort of starting to teach Henry to drive - we just pootle off up the road and back again. He LOVES it! I think in his head he can imagine he's going off on an adventure by himself. It gives him more freedom to look around ;O)

I will be interested to read other replies as we've only done this twice, the second time with the side reins on very loose. I hope it will improve our relationship on the ground (not that it really needs it!) but it's always nice to throw something random at him to keep his mind busy!
 
the way i was taught on a showing yard, and it has always worked for me is to keep my hands light and low and only apply pressure when needed.

i do it in full tack (Bridle without reins) which is great when breaking youngsters, as they get used to stirrups on their sides. (tie them to the girth)

I run the line through the stirrup towards their head, through the bit, and clip onto the D rings of the saddle. this makes them create a nice outline, and builds topline as they work.

it takes a few minutes to get used to a line coming behind them the first time you do it, but you have far better control to lunging.

mine really enjoy it from the sec A to my IDx

i then cool down by walking behind them, which teaches them to bend into their corners.

Henry1997 we have just started to long rein one of our youngsters down the lane ready for driving - very exciting we have never driven before - do you have any tips?
 
Thats the way i have always doen it (with a roller though not a saddle) On the right rein i have to apply a bit more pressure on the outside reain as this is the rein he falls in on. I use them as i use my reins a bit of give and take but keep a slight contact.
 
good i am glad someone else does the same - i was worrying that i was going to be slated for my methods!!!!!!!!

i enjoy longreining, and the benefits to the way your horse goes balance wise is amazing when you do ridden schooling.

our horses in full work are longreined once a week, only for 20 minutes as they get a good work out.
 
sorry if this is hijacking the original post and is a little off topic, but Im responding to your request for tips on driving a youngster....I have broken lots of horses into harness over the years, and recently did this with one of our ponies for pulling our exercise carriage.
Long reining is always the best place to start, but with nice light hands, and keep your distance so as not to get a boot in the face.
After some time when you are in good control, we get the horse used to the harness, just tack up, let them stand in it and then untack them, progressing then to long reining in harness.
The next step is that I take them in harness and attach a tyre to chains/rope to the breastplate/traces, and have them drag this around initially on grass, and later on the road (dont do the road first as the sound is different and they think they are being chased).
Thats basically it..walk a few miles with them dragging the tyre and get them used to it...then the difficulty of 'putting to' on the carriage. When you do this the first time position the horse towards a wall or something solid so they cant bolt forwards...then when they are settled away you go...carefully at first and only for a short distance and build up over time!
Some horse are really easy to break like this and it doesnt take very long...others never take to it, depands on their attitude.
The key thing is that they dont feel like their being chased by a big horrible beasty...otherwise you may also spoil them for riding too as they turn into bolters..

Hope this helps...good luck!
 
This could turn out to be a really interesting post. I taught my youngster to long rein over the summer. Took her up and down our little lane and along our gallops. I really felt it helped when I backed her. I had planned on beginning with long reining again before rebacking her next year after being turned away for a few months but have since got a new instructor.
He advised not to long rein unless very very competant or under the guidance of an instructor as bad long reining can ruin a horses walk if the horse is heading for a career in dressage. I have never heard this before so would be intersted to see what other comments are.
 
Your instructor is absolutely correct. Long reining by an inexperienced person can be disasterous. You must have very good hands to do this effectively, and must know how to give the horse the correct aids or they will become confused. If your heavy with your hands you can make an otherwise forward going horse unresponsive, and ruin their mouths.
Its hard to do this corrctly and maintain an even contact with the horse.

If in doubt, get help and dont risk it. I have seen horses respond really badly to poor long reining (rearing, kicking out etc...)
 
We longrein if we need to do a pair rather than a single. The pressure on the outside rein is as if you were riding the way we do it. When we do it as a pair TBH they dont get much out of it except getting used to working together and exercise, but when we do it with a single they get as much out of it as schooling session on a good day.
 
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