Long - reining

[MoonRiver]

Just wondering how much, if any, long reining people do with their youngsters when breaking in, and do they feel their horse benefits. Do you have reins running through loops on surcingle/stirrups or just straight to the bit?

 

[MotherOfChickens]

I do lots and am about to start one off who will hopefully be ride and drive. I start off straight to hand and use a well fitted cavesson to get voice commands off pat. when I get onto using a bit I see where how are at before putting reins through things and I only use very light reins-libby's driving reins are great.

I don't think longreining is necessary for starting off riding horses and feel quite strongly that it should be carried out/overseen by someone with experience with longreins. I longrein adult horses as well, do lateral work and more collected work in them.

I do think its a great way of getting horses being up front (eg for hacking alone) and thinking for themselves a bit and alot of ridden problems can be sorted out in longreins.

 

[cambrica]

I have done a huge amount of long reining on my boy. He is just turning 4 and I bought him as a 3yo.
It is the best way to train a young horse to work away from you, listen and obey your voice, become light to the touch and should always be the pre-schooling to backing.
I have mine on long-reins from the bit (although I have worked from the headcollar) through a surcingle. I tried the side rings but actually now use the top ring so the control is from where the reins are positioned.
After alot of walking out and roadwork I can now confidently long-rein out.
I am not a fan of lunging, especially youngsters although if its for training as in voice commands then fine.
He is very light on the bit, responds well and now I have lightly backed him. So far I have not had one single problem.

 

[ZoeF]

I used to long rein the kids ponies at a yard I worked on with the reins running through the stirrup irons. I found this was great for getting them working from my voice and building their confidence being out and about, seeing different things so they didnt spook when their tiny riders were on board in the show ring.

 

[noodle_]

i long rein

i only do it once a week for 5-10 mins atm as ive no time!!! i will do as of april though twice a week

my older mare was long reigned for 3 months solid prior to backing and she was fantastic...

 

[Gloi]

I never put the long reins through anything until the horse is going well. It's too easy to get in a mess if the horse suddenly spooks or spins and ends up facing you. If the reins aren't through anything they can just come in a circle but through something if the horse faces you it's easy for it to run back and pull on its mouth or get in a tangle.

I always go out in long reins before I start to hack out.

 

[MoonRiver]

Thanks all for replies, sounds like you all use it for introducing hacking and also for schooling then. This seems ideal for me, have a 4 yo,13.2 welsh for breaking. I didn't want to do too much on the lunge, as it tends to get them fitter and a bit bored after intial commands are learnt. Want to do a bit more with him before getting on