long reining

Only basic stuff - long reining around the paddocks/down the track. Then in the school doing turns in walk and trotting/cantering circles....
 
just wanted to know what other people did, ive been doing quite abit lately with flint and he wasnt too sure of me being behind him with them, but he's getting better so might try some trotting with him tonight. thanks
 
I do very basic dressage tests - walk, trot, halt, figure of eights, serpantines. He now does a little rein back and turn on the forehand and we have started a little yielding work.

He also "hacks" out.

He is only 2 3/4s so I only do about 15 - 20 minutes at a time and only once or occasionally twice a week, the rest of the week he does other things. I started this when he was 20 months and built up very slowly.

He is now backed and I really feel that the long reining has made backing very easily as he stops and turns really well for a baby.
 
yes there is quite a skill to it isn't there? I like the fact that I can use the lunge lines to engage horse's hind legs as required. He can get a bit heavy in the hand though sometimes. I know it is poss to do all sorts of lateral work with long reins but I wouldn't have a clue where to start on that!!
ps guess if you stand a little to the side rather than directly behind your horse can see you better and may not be so alarmed/unsure?
 
I just do lots of lateral work, lots of half halts, turning and transistions. My instructor starts piaffe and passage in long reins but I wouldnt have a clue on the aids
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Just keep doing it - try it in a very 'safe' space to begin with - one he knows well - we get them used to being tied up outside the stable door and do it all there. Put up a hay net if you can, to make it peaceful and friendly. Do just one rein at a time, let it slip from his back behind his legs, wiggle it about a bit, lift it up, do it again. And again. And again until it's so boring he doesn't even notice. THen do it again with the other side.

then take him out in the school and do it again

and again

eventually, it won't be an issue - and his level of trust will be higher

E
 
My boy can do leg yeild and shoulder in on long reins. Don't ask me to explain the aids I haven't done it for a while and I don't think I'd be good at explaining them. It's not an "exact" thing it takes feel....
 
Good god you must run fast - fancy taking the stinker out for me - when he has done his tiny x pole I have to confess it was on the lunge - no way could my fat little legs keep up with him.

If I want to trot out fast on hacks - I lead him off Cairo much easier for me.
 
I look v. stupid running behind him! Hes only 11.1 though, haven't long reined the 'proper' horse, so now I've admiited that its not nearly so impressive, is it!
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A travelling head lad once told me that you should keep your body low, when long-reining, with your arms and hands at the same position against your body as if you were riding. Don't know if that is any help. This same chap used to take our three year olds down and around the village and back up again, mostly at a steady trot, a total of nearly 3 miles!!!! He also used to go up to the barn and bend them in and out of the stanchions. Long-reining is a brilliant way to get fit!!!
 
I am currently breaking my mare into drive. Just at the long reining stage at the mo, i think it is brill for the horse. I have found she is much braver out on hacks as she is in front and if she spots anything she will go past it very calmly. When riding she holds her head very high, but when long reining she lowers her head and looks gorg. She listens so well to my voice now aswell.
 
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