Long reining

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Cob Life

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I've just started long reining the mare I'm bringing back into work.

She will go forward on the lunge but has never been long reined before and doesn't seem to understand to go forward off my voice. Am I okay to carry a lunge whip to encourage her and help her understand what I'm asking?
 
I use a schooling whip if necessary, less unwieldy than a lunge whip and you can easily tuck it away.
It would probably be better to have a helper at her head to help her cotton on though if she's not understanding you.
 
milliepops said:
I use a schooling whip if necessary, less unwieldy than a lunge whip and you can easily tuck it away.
It would probably be better to have a helper at her head to help her cotton on though if she's not understanding you.
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She can be a kicker so I don't want to be too close to her back end, my other thought was a driving whip?
Longer than a schooling whip but hopefully not as long as a lunge whip
I'm always on my own unfortunately so no one to help
 
I would prefer not to long rein -behind- a known kicker at all really ? why do you need to long rein her, is it something that you can achieve a different way? I tend to walk off to one side slightly but you're still potentially quite vulnerable.
 
milliepops said:
I would prefer not to long rein -behind- a known kicker at all really ? why do you need to long rein her, is it something that you can achieve a different way? I tend to walk off to one side slightly but you're still potentially quite vulnerable.
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I'm wanting to get her used to having the bit in her mouth used to move her around, she's not been ridden for 2 years so want her to have some idea of what the rein means before I find someone to help me get on her.

She's only tried to kick me once when I was trying to scrub mud off her back leg and she'd had enough (my fault really as she'd warned me and I tried to call her bluff)

I make sure I stay far enough back that her back legs can't reach me as well.
 
If legs have ever come out behind when you are there do NOT long rein alone. I drive so i get the need for knowing how to take instruction from someone behind, but i don't really get the need for riding horses, a kicker would not be made a driving horse. The bit will never be in the correct place for them, the pressure will never be right and the ques will do nothing to aid what happens when you are in the saddle. Just my pov.
 
Cob Life said:
I'm wanting to get her used to having the bit in her mouth used to move her around, she's not been ridden for 2 years so want her to have some idea of what the rein means before I find someone to help me get on her.

She's only tried to kick me once when I was trying to scrub mud off her back leg and she'd had enough (my fault really as she'd warned me and I tried to call her bluff)

I make sure I stay far enough back that her back legs can't reach me as well.
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See now you are changing the story. She either is a kicker or kicked out once in annoyance. Very different.
 
equi said:
See now you are changing the story. She either is a kicker or kicked out once in annoyance. Very different.
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According to her owners she's a kicker, but this is all I've ever seen from her, and she wasn't even really trying to get me.

They said if you go and touch her bum she will kick out, but most would if you didn't give them any warning!

Personally I don't think she's a true kicker it's just something I always keep in mind when working with/around her
 
There is no such thing as a "true kicker" they kick or they don't. What is your actual role with this horse, are you hired to train her or loaning her etc?
 
equi said:
There is no such thing as a "true kicker" they kick or they don't. What is your actual role with this horse, are you hired to train her or loaning her etc?
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Bringing her back into work for me to ride for a friend as she's bored and loves to work and they don't have the time
 
equi said:
Would your friend be happy for you to get in a professional?
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If I thought she was going to kick me I wouldn't do it, but she's also getting bored with lunging but I don't have anyone yet to help me with getting on her so thought I'd try the long reigning as it's something different and gets her used to having a contact on the bit instead of the lunge line.
 
I also wouldnt long rein something that kicked, this horse kicks. If you come up behind her with a whip, whether that be driving, lunging or schooling, you are likely to get your head taken off.

After a couple of years off you really shouldnt need to go back to basics this much. Endless lunging isnt helping anyone. If you arent reasonably skilled at long reining then you wont be doing anything positive there either.

The fact you are doing this completely alone scares the bejeesus out of me on your behalf.

To put it bluntly, you dont have the experience to be doing this. You either need to hand the horse back or get a professional in to help you.
 
Cob Life said:
If I thought she was going to kick me I wouldn't do it, but she's also getting bored with lunging but I don't have anyone yet to help me with getting on her so thought I'd try the long reigning as it's something different and gets her used to having a contact on the bit instead of the lunge line.
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But it doesn't. the bit will feel entirely different if used 10ft behind on a long line vs on the back of the horse. This is why driving horses are very carefully selected and trained as such.
 
Leo Walker said:
I also wouldnt long rein something that kicked, this horse kicks. If you come up behind her with a whip, whether that be driving, lunging or schooling, you are likely to get your head taken off.

After a couple of years off you really shouldnt need to go back to basics this much. Endless lunging isnt helping anyone. If you arent reasonably skilled at long reining then you wont be doing anything positive there either.

The fact you are doing this completely alone scares the bejeesus out of me on your behalf.

To put it bluntly, you dont have the experience to be doing this. You either need to hand the horse back or get a professional in to help you.
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I've long reined before, just never had a horse that would go forward.

I've gone right back to basics with her and essentially re stated her to build her confidence as she came out of work due to flipping out whenever she was ridden because of ill fitting tack. She was scared of the saddle and is just starting to get over that fear and accept the saddle, so not ready for a rider yet but meanwhile needs to be doing something as she's getting bored.
 
My pony was unsure on long lines to begin with and was a nappy little sod leaving the yard. I had lessons a couple times a week with my instructor where I would start at his head and slowly work my way behind him then take over. I have never used a whip while long reining and wouldn’t advise you should either in your situation. I would get a friend to help or pay an instructor just for you both to crack it. I find long reining very useful to get them thinking a bit more independently and it was a life saver when he was being rehabbed as hand walking him was too risky.
 
I've been having in hand lessons with a gentleman named Derek Clark - I found him on http://www.classicalriding.co.uk/ . It's been wonderful for helping Gummi Bear and I get a nice feel in the bridle (still rather green at it only been at it a couple months). We absolutely love it, and it has improved her flexibility and our feel even when ridden. Just a thought as I'm no longer at all needing to be behind her and feel the results for ridden work even are quite good - haven't actually long lined her since starting really.
 
equi said:
If legs have ever come out behind when you are there do NOT long rein alone. I drive so i get the need for knowing how to take instruction from someone behind, but i don't really get the need for riding horses, a kicker would not be made a driving horse. The bit will never be in the correct place for them, the pressure will never be right and the ques will do nothing to aid what happens when you are in the saddle. Just my pov.
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I am not sure that I understand this. Long lining absolutely translates over to under saddle work. What do you mean that the bit isn't in the right place?

Long lining can essentially be similar to riding from the ground. Many people, including myself use it as a teaching aid. For example, lateral work can be introduced on the long lines. I taught my horse shoulder in from the ground, and he immediately knew what I was asking for under saddle. On the long lines he can do all elements of his dressage tests that he would do under saddle. Lateral work, transitions, extensions, collection, changes of direction, lead changes, piaffe and so on.

Long lining is also valuable in that you can see the horse. How their body moves, and maybe pick up something that you may not have realized under saddle. It's more valuable than lunging and just something different to do. It can help get a horse back into shape without a rider on its back.

I am fortunate with my gelding as he is super sensitive to body language and my aids. So he's easy and learns quickly. With a dull horse, it is a tad frustrating. I prefer a Forward thinking horse for this. I also prefer a driving whip as opposed to a lunge whip.

Generally if a horse rides and lunges, they pick up on long lining straight away.
 
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CanteringCarrot said:
I am not sure that I understand this. Long lining absolutely translates over to under saddle work. What do you mean that the bit isn't in the right place?

I am fortunate with my gelding as he is super sensitive to body language and my aids. So he's easy and learns quickly. With a dull horse, it is a tad frustrating. I prefer a Forward thinking horse for this. I also prefer a driving whip as opposed to a lunge whip.
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Its not that the bit isnt in the right place, but from a driving point of view it does have a different action on the bit. Its advised never to drive in a snaffle for example, as the reins passing through the turrets can have almost a lever like effect, so I can kinda see where Equi is coming from.

I'm impressed at anyone that long reins with a driving or lunge whip though. Despite driving with a driving whip every time, if I try long reining with it I end up tripping over it!
 
So, I have a pony who is pretty much scared of everything. (his shadow, his own farts etc).

It has taken about 8 months to be able to lunge properly with out it resembling the wall of death. but, we are now in a position where he responds really well to your voice and body language. Starting long reining (I'm on my own 90% of the time) I continued to lunge with the outside rein across his withers. Using body language taught from the lunging (he wont tolerate whips) to drive him forward on increasingly large circles until you are on the outside track. If you slowly move your way backwards down the ponies body until you are in a position you are happy with.

I never long rein directly behind the pony as I like to see the pony move, and from a safety point of view. Although I'm probably in cow kicking range as I don't like to be to far away.

changing the rein is a bit of an art the first few times, but as long as you have a pony that isn't anxious with you directly behind you can usually do this quite smoothly across the centre line with a couple of sideways steps (you not the horse) and a lift of the reins.
 
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