Long reining

Persephone

Persephone

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Is it safe/feasible to do with a rider on board? Young lady at the yard has really lost her confidence with her pony so we've been doing lots of fun things with him as I want to try to get them to bond again. One of the things we have done is longreining and then lungeing with two reins as well. She want to get on him, only in walk but is very nervous of not being able to stop. I don't think there will be any problem with the pony but she is really scared. Could I walk around behind with side reins? Would it be dangerous? I've never done or seen it before and I'm thinking there
may well be a reason!
blush.gif
 
For me it would depend upon he horse. With long reins there would be a lot of kit for the rider to get tangled up in if something unexpected happend. For example, if tfro some reason the horse spun round the rider would be tangled up and the long reins would become a useless liability at the moment the rider needed a helping hand.

One thing to try would be 'invisible' long reins. If the reason for the long reins is napping, and the horse goes well being ground driven... have the person walking behind driving the horse on as you would do long reining, but have the rider giving the rein aids. The horse will still think it is on long lines, but there will be no danger to the rider.

If the 'headology' is more to do with the rider than the horse a single lunge rein might be a better option. That way the exits are clear!
 
The problem is that a "friend" of the rider has taken the pony into a field and raced him about. So whenever he got on grass he wanted to go, rider wouldn't let him go, he went above the bit and bucked her off. It got into a real pattern culminating in the rider breaking her arm. She is understandably nervous as hell and only wants to walk on the roads now. I have spent a lot of time getting the pony lungeing and long reining around our practice field in walk only. If he gets jiggy he walks some more until he settles. It's gone really well. I have led her round the field a couple of times on a lead rein and if the pony throws his head (in walk) she panics grabs the reins and bursts into tears. I think the more times we can have an uneventful walk around the field the better she will get and she is pretty pleased with her progress so far. He is starting to work down and round but the first bit of distraction and that head goes up! I've given her a neck strap which she says helps a bit, but I'm looking to move beyond a lead rein, but still be there with brakes if needed. Any suggestions how to move forward?

Jo x
 
In that case I woudl suggest that she has lessons or rides on a calmer pony to build her confidence up. This will also build her skills up!

Things like lunge lessons and lead reining can seem like confirmation that there IS a problem and will confirm the riders fears.

Also, get a more confident, experienced rider to work the pony quietly. I have known several ponies that are angles on the lunge/long reins/lead reins and the moment they are taken off it they go bananas.

Then, after a few weeks, let the less confident rider watch the pony being ridden quietly in walk, trot and canter, pop a few jumps, all steady away. Then they will KNOW that the pony won't get over excited. Seeing is believing.

At the moment it sounds like a vicious circle. The rider gets nervous, pony gets excited, rider looses confidence.
 
[ QUOTE ]
I assume he's got a standing martingale on? mre to reassure the rider that his head can't go that far


No i didn't put one on because.. plot thickens! When I started working with the pony they had him in what they thought was a french link. It was a Dr Bristol
blush.gif
I didn't put a martingale on because I didn't want to overface him and make him panic. I just wanted him to start trusting his bit and working better.
 
I think if he is throwing his head up enough to scare the rider, she may not be up to getting him working better. Equally, it can teach them a few manners without them fighting against anything but themselves - my novice eventer can be a pain in the arse out hacking throwing his head about, so I change the running into a standing, he fights against himself for a bit, then he gives up - may be worth a try I think (my point being that I can get him working better, but it is much nicer for both of us if I let him sort it out like this!).
 
[ QUOTE ]
In that case I woudl suggest that she has lessons or rides on a calmer pony to build her confidence up. This will also build her skills up!

Things like lunge lessons and lead reining can seem like confirmation that there IS a problem and will confirm the riders fears.

Also, get a more confident, experienced rider to work the pony quietly. I have known several ponies that are angles on the lunge/long reins/lead reins and the moment they are taken off it they go bananas.

Ok you've made good points there. Right then here we go, this post is about to get controversial! I don't mind getting on him but I am 5' and 9 stone. Would that be too heavy for a Welsh C, 13hh 7 year old?

I know in hindsight a 7 year old! Green on green = black and blue etc! Live and learn. I think the owners have realised it may not have been the best thing for her.
 
[ QUOTE ]
I think if he is throwing his head up enough to scare the rider, she may not be up to getting him working better. Equally, it can teach them a few manners without them fighting against anything but themselves - my novice eventer can be a pain in the arse out hacking throwing his head about, so I change the running into a standing, he fights against himself for a bit, then he gives up - may be worth a try I think (my point being that I can get him working better, but it is much nicer for both of us if I let him sort it out like this!).

[/ QUOTE ]

No that's something we can do. I'll give it a try and see how he reacts.
 
Ok will do! I don't think he is a nasty pony at all and he has so much potential it's a shame for both of them to see it wasted. Watch this space I'll keep you posted.

Thanks for the help peeps!

Jo x
 
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