Long reining

[Supertrooper]

Can anyone advise me on how to go about this. The shire x I share won't lunge as he finds it hard with being so big but I think he could manage long reining. I don't know if he's ever done it before and I havn't!! So can someone go through the basics with me pls xx

 

[Aces_High]

This is how I do it.....

Horse tacked up with side reins attached. Attach a lunge rein to each bit ring. Have the off side rein coiled and sitting on the saddle or roller on his back. You on his near side with the left rein coiled neatly in your hand. Take the right rein and have it so it is coming across his back to you and move away from him and ask him to walk on. As he walks on you can position yourself behind him straightening him up. I would master walking around the school or yard with simple changes of rein before starting trot work and trot changes of rein. It is rather hard to explain and ideally get someone to show you as it is easier to learn that way. Very important to keep your reins taut and not on the ground and the loops/coils in your hands very even and lines straight and not twisted. I always do a good bit of long reining with all the youngsters as it is a great way for them to mouth the bit with a contact and to get them going forwards. I haven't long reined a shire before though!! I hope this explains it well enough for you.

 

[LaurenBay]

I've just introduced my mare to long reining, heres how I done it.

I clipped one lunge line to each side of the bit, then threaded it through the rings on her roller. Gather the lines up, and stand slightly to side of them so they can always see you. I practised in the school first, just going round the track until she got the hang off stoping and walking off again. Then I introduced some changes of rein and circles. I always stand to the inside of them.

Hope that helps.

 

[quirky]

A_H - Why side reins as well? What are your reasons for that?

OP - I long rein with a roller and start with the lunge lines in the lower rings as it is easier for the horse. There are a number of ways to connect the lunge line up, depending on the if the horse is stiff, less bendable on one side etc. I'm not sure I could put into words how I connect them up but my clip always ends up at the rollers girth buckles.

 

[Ibblebibble]

This is how I do it.....

Horse tacked up with side reins attached. Attach a lunge rein to each bit ring. Have the off side rein coiled and sitting on the saddle or roller on his back. You on his near side with the left rein coiled neatly in your hand. Take the right rein and have it so it is coming across his back to you and move away from him and ask him to walk on. As he walks on you can position yourself behind him straightening him up. I would master walking around the school or yard with simple changes of rein before starting trot work and trot changes of rein. It is rather hard to explain and ideally get someone to show you as it is easier to learn that way. Very important to keep your reins taut and not on the ground and the loops/coils in your hands very even and lines straight and not twisted. I always do a good bit of long reining with all the youngsters as it is a great way for them to mouth the bit with a contact and to get them going forwards. I haven't long reined a shire before though!! I hope this explains it well enough for you.

yep pretty much this without the side reins tho, if i feel i need to keep the head down for any reason then i don't clip to the bit but put the lunge line through and back to the saddle or roller (rather like draw reins )

 

[Aces_High]

A_H - Why side reins as well? What are your reasons for that?

OP - I long rein with a roller and start with the lunge lines in the lower rings as it is easier for the horse. There are a number of ways to connect the lunge line up, depending on the if the horse is stiff, less bendable on one side etc. I'm not sure I could put into words how I connect them up but my clip always ends up at the rollers girth buckles.

I always long rein in side reins as I do not want them to be able to get their head on the floor or a leg over the rein. Bear in mind, I am long reining yearlings and out on the lanes, in big fields and not confined to a school. It is one thing which I am adament about when long reining and I think it's an important safety feature. I also do not run the reins through any loops or stirrups or such like. I rely on myself to keep the contact and the reins in the correct position. Maybe this comes with experience!

 

[smiffyimp]

Please make sure you have an extra person on the ground when you are learning, ropes easily get tangled if horse decided to be scared of them. A little help passing one behind horse to start off and to gather in to finish is really helpful. Once you are both used to it its quite easy. Also long reining should be HARD work on you! Move around to help the horse if on circles. Use your weight for stopping rather than pulling. You'll feel wobbly to start with, but you get the hang quite quick. I dont thread through rollers either, prefer to strap stirrups to to saddle with elastic strap and thread lunge reins through stirrups. It is hard to use nothing, so I find this an easier way to start off, then as Aces says, dont strap to anything - that is practice though

 

[quirky]

I always long rein in side reins as I do not want them to be able to get their head on the floor or a leg over the rein. Bear in mind, I am long reining yearlings and out on the lanes, in big fields and not confined to a school. It is one thing which I am adament about when long reining and I think it's an important safety feature. I also do not run the reins through any loops or stirrups or such like. I rely on myself to keep the contact and the reins in the correct position. Maybe this comes with experience!

I wasn't being critical, so not really sure why you feel the need to snipe .
A day with nothing learned is a day wasted, hence my question .

I choose not to use side reins after a horse suffered a nasty mouth injury some 20 years ago.

I'm not going to name drop but it was a very high member of the FEI commitee who taught me how to long rein. If it's good enough for him, it's good enough for me .

Each to their own

 

[silverbreeze]

I always use side reins as it gives more control. I also opt to use rope instead of lunge lines as i find the heavier material is far easier to use to get them going forward, its a lot easier to give them a tap on the side with it than it is a light lunge line. I dont fasten them through anything either, i rely on the contact with the horse to stop them sagging. If i lunge in them i tend to run it around their backside rather than over the back but purely out of preference than any educated reason.

I tie knots in the end to stop them being pulled through my hands and losing them. I too use them on the roads and in fields on youngsters and have found them invaluable. Obviously, gloves and hat are a huge must as with all lunging/long reining.

I got myself in quite a tangle on more than one occasion when i first started using them and taught myself on my more experienced horse before i went down that route with the babies. I use them rather than a lunge line now as easier to control your entire horse imo.

Good luck, there are loads of books out there too.

 

[Aces_High]

I wasn't being critical, so not really sure why you feel the need to snipe .
A day with nothing learned is a day wasted, hence my question .

I choose not to use side reins after a horse suffered a nasty mouth injury some 20 years ago.

I'm not going to name drop but it was a very high member of the FEI commitee who taught me how to long rein. If it's good enough for him, it's good enough for me .

Each to their own

Sorry it wasn't meant to come across as horrible! I hit quick reply so couldn't insert any smiley face things and I don't know how to do them when they are not in the box! I was pleased that you had asked as you do not use them!

 

[quirky]

Sorry it wasn't meant to come across as horrible! I hit quick reply so couldn't insert any smiley face things and I don't know how to do them when they are not in the box! I was pleased that you had asked as you do not use them!

Apology accepted ... I'll abandon my effigy knitting for now then .

 

[TTK]

Thanks to all for the very clear explaination of long reining. I'm just about to try for the first time with my youngster, but, having read your advice, I'll learn myself first using the old boy as a tutor. I can already drive him from behind with a long rope, so he should be able to teach me to long rein. Nice one people.

 

[Ladylina83]

I have just invesed in a second lunge line to give this a go - I do lunge in side reins as my mare likes to hunt for the contact - I don't pull her in with them it just helps her to balance - so will try with both at first . My mare is experianced (I mean old but don't tell her as she doesn't know) I thought it would be a nice change for her and I want to learn how to do this so I can use it on my youngster come breaking in - I'd like to get him moveing of without feeling the need to follow me. What age do you start ?? He is already bitted and responds to my voice

Interested in any pics of folk long reining

 

[Aces_High]

Another thing I would say is do not use nylon lunge lines. Mine are heavy cotton (I think) white material and are very soft and do not burn if they run quickly through your hands. You also need to make sure your lines have a swivel on them. Mine do up with a leather fastening but I appreciate that most are with a clip but a swivel clip is best so you can keep your reins flat and straight. Ladylina - you can teach a horse to long rein at any age. I would happily long rein a 2 yr old to get them out and about to see the sights. I also have side reins on but I do not have them tight. They are just there to give me a little extra control and help stop them from running off through their shoulders should they decide to take off. It's great fun when you have them trotting on the long reins on a circle and the changes of rein in trot involve a lot of running around so great for the thighs and bottom!
I am pleased that Quirky has stopped the knitting

 

[Kenzo]

It's not as complicated as it sounds once you get going and rig it up right according to your horses needs, it is important however before you go onto the roads that they know how to stand patiently and are not likely to spook out into the road or tank off forward, so if you have not already been on the lanes (presume you have though) but if not then take them out in hand as much as you can first to get them used to their surroundings and traffic etc.

Always put some hi-viz on both on you and your horse, wear some good gloves, hat and some good footware, nothing with laces that are likely to come undone or trip over etc.

I hold the reins as I would if I was riding so I can feel everthing and use my hands as I would if I was riding, it's important that your horse walks into a contact and has a brisk walk too but to begin with just going in the correct direction is the main thing.

I always to begin with lunge with side reins (not tight) but just so the horse knows there is boundries so to speak and for extra safety and control but the horse only a feel for your reins that you have in your hand and again only when the horse understands a contact, I wouldn't just bang them on without having worn them obviously, but then they are removed and I continue without them.

Best thing to do is get someone experienced to show you and have someone walk with you until you and your horse get the idea.

 

[Ladylina83]

Another thing I would say is do not use nylon lunge lines. Mine are heavy cotton (I think) white material and are very soft and do not burn if they run quickly through your hands. You also need to make sure your lines have a swivel on them. Mine do up with a leather fastening but I appreciate that most are with a clip but a swivel clip is best so you can keep your reins flat and straight. Ladylina - you can teach a horse to long rein at any age. I would happily long rein a 2 yr old to get them out and about to see the sights. I also have side reins on but I do not have them tight. They are just there to give me a little extra control and help stop them from running off through their shoulders should they decide to take off. It's great fun when you have them trotting on the long reins on a circle and the changes of rein in trot involve a lot of running around so great for the thighs and bottom!
I am pleased that Quirky has stopped the knitting

Yes I have learnt from my mistakes here - I use the shires supersoft ones they are quite chunky but find they do no knot up - I have ordered a diff colour one than I already had for starting to long rein so that I don't get muddled up - a lot of pink purple lavender going on though so I'm not sure what my boy will think of this lol

He is only 15 months now- I have a couple of shows to do with him before October then I will leave him be until February when I want to start his education we have a large path round our crop fields at home so will start in the school then one of the fields and the the farm track leading up to getting on the roads - I want to show him in 2 year old sports horse classes so I figure it will be good for both of our bums lol

Perhaps this time next year even have a little sit on him and happy with tack - turn away again then begin educating for ridden career ! I've got a load of reading I want to do first though.

 

[Aces_High]

Yes I have learnt from my mistakes here - I use the shires supersoft ones they are quite chunky but find they do no knot up - I have ordered a diff colour one than I already had for starting to long rein so that I don't get muddled up - a lot of pink purple lavender going on though so I'm not sure what my boy will think of this lol

He is only 15 months now- I have a couple of shows to do with him before October then I will leave him be until February when I want to start his education we have a large path round our crop fields at home so will start in the school then one of the fields and the the farm track leading up to getting on the roads - I want to show him in 2 year old sports horse classes so I figure it will be good for both of our bums lol

Perhaps this time next year even have a little sit on him and happy with tack - turn away again then begin educating for ridden career ! I've got a load of reading I want to do first though.

How exciting! The in hand photo of my brown and white splodge thing is her as a yearling. I personally wouldn't start long reining in Feb as the weather is still so manky - I am guessing you're in the UK! I would wait until spring as it still gives you heaps and heaps of time to get him ready for his showing classes next year. Everything seems to much better in the spring for some reason . With your lad I would have him happy in a roller or saddle before I started long reining. You can easily do that now so he's happy with all that before starting long reining next year. I am guessing as you're showing him he's pretty cool with wearing a rug so that's a great start.

Loving the lavender lunge line idea!!!

 

[Ladylina83]

With your lad I would have him happy in a roller or saddle before I started long reining. You can easily do that now so he's happy with all that before starting long reining next year. I am guessing as you're showing him he's pretty cool with wearing a rug so that's a great start.

Loving the lavender lunge line idea!!!

She looks fab !!

He'll need to be show ready by the spring 26th March to be exact for the NW breeders show, so I figured it would be a good way of building him up rather than just fattening - I'll pick my days wisely but he is quite sensible especially after the first time with a new task. I will start popping the roller over his back when he comes in for a feed to get him used to it - good idea!! You are right he is currently quite happy to wearing all his anti-hurricane gear !!

Thank you very much for your help

 

[Bangagin]

I love long lining. I had a short lesson with a friend who went on to become a Monty Roberts RA and she taught me the ropes. I now much prefer long lining on a circle to lunging, and very rarely lunge with side reins. I use a roller and thread the long lines through the rings as this is quicker than tacking up with a saddle.

 

[benson21]

I have been long reining donovan for a few months now, I think the most important thing I was told was to make sure he understood my voice aids before trying it! If we go down the road, I always have OH with me, walking in the middle of the road, to slow and thank traffic, etc.

I have also been advised since putting these pics on here, that I should have the lines on the lower rings on the roller.

 

[Ladylina83]

I have also been advised since putting these pics on here, that I should have the lines on the lower rings on the roller.

Hiya - do you know why this is ?? I used the higher rings thought it would be closer to my actual hand position

I tried for the 1st time tonight and I am over the moon with our first go - dispite me having a bruised knee from tripping myself up ! The overall effect was amazing she would never soften like that on the lunge - I got inside flexion outside flexion the lot and we had a go round the field too - fantastic result - I don't think I will EVER lunge again the difference in balance from having the 2 reins is outstanding !! I feel like she really worked properly rather than just tanking round and it was very benifical for me to see her from the ground working like that - chuffed to bits, thanks


.... off to nurse bruised knee

 

[benson21]

Hiya - do you know why this is ?? I used the higher rings thought it would be closer to my actual hand position

Hi, I think it was because i said that he kept dropping his head right down and in and I didnt want him doing that. I guess when you are riding if you lift your hand it encourages and outline, and having it on a higher ring is like lifting your hand. Thats how I understood it anyway....probably completely wrong!!!!

 

[Bangagin]

That's just how I felt after long lining for the first time Ladylina83 - had heard good things about it, but seeing how much better my horse went was quite an eye opener! I think the benefit for me is that you can adjust the amount of feel/contact on the lines as necessary, whereas if you attach side reins for the contact then you can't adjust them without having to keep stopping and starting the horse.

 

[Ladylina83]

Hi, I think it was because i said that he kept dropping his head right down and in and I didnt want him doing that. I guess when you are riding if you lift your hand it encourages and outline, and having it on a higher ring is like lifting your hand. Thats how I understood it anyway....probably completely wrong!!!!

Ah overbending !! We don't ever have that problem she was as soft as I have seen her and still above the vertical so I'll keep them where they are for now and see how we get on.

It was a real eye opener - being able to give with the contact and get flexion was fab, kicking myself that I haven't done it before. I did try once many years ago but I don't think I realised what I was trying to achieve.