Longreining issues .. Help!!

[Montyforever]

I would love to be able to longrein my little monster again, but im gonna need some advice!!

Mysti is very highly strung, she doesnt walk to the field/stable/school she prances, whinneys and tosses her head like shes grand national winner

I started longreining her bitless which she was fine with but v.v. strong so i had her teeth checked (previous problems) and got the all clear to use a bit, so i got a normal eggbutt snaffle, got her used to it by leading inhand and applying pressure and lunging in side reins.

She was fine so i tried longreining her in it and had 2 good sessions but on the 3rd try she spooked at something and paniced, then tried to bomb off forgetting i still had hold of her mouth and she ended up going over backwards :S

So i checked her over and walked another circit around the field as she wasnt lame and i didnt wanna end on that note, but now everytime i try to longrein her anywhere, in the school, in the field, and in a bitless or in a bit she flips for no reason.

Im really at a loss of what to do, ive tried people at her head but as soon as there gone she flips, ive tried building her confidence, taking her over poles to keep her mind working, but i always get the same reaction.

I also had a friend try, but she got the same reaction.

The reason i got her was because i dont like riding but love to go out on walks with the ponies and do ground work, i love her to death so i would never consider selling her. But shes only 5 and the next 20 years of just lunging seems a bit bleak for the both of us lol.

Any advice is greatly appreciated!!

Thankyouu x

 

[lindsayH]

Don't worry, I'm sure it's fixable. She's had a scare but I'm sure you can get it sorted. Start with plenty of lunging with 2 reins, the outside coming across the saddle. When she's 100% gradually progress to moving the rein backwards and gradually change your position more behind her. It should be a slow and gradual progression from lunging to long-reining over many sessions so that she hopefully doesn't notice the change. Are you an experienced long-reiner? I only ask because I'm finding it a very difficult skill to really master. It's really easy to be inconsistent with the contact and give them a fright. If you're not, I would suggest lots of practise with a horse that is well practised. Either way, I'm sure you'll get there.

 

[Montyforever]

Yeah i wouldnt say im perfect, far from it

But ive done groundwork for about 4 years now with lots of different horses, and taught my old pony to longrein, but ive never met such a strong willled little monster like Mysti!!

But to be fair i havent done it in quite a while, practising on Honey might be a good idea

Ta xx

 

[thatsmygirl]

It's already been said.
I would go back to lungeing with 2 reins and build on that daily until you are longreining her in a arena without her expecting and knowing that you are going out longreining. I deal with problem horses and it can get so annoying and one actually flipped over with me before Xmas but is now being ridden in a arena for short spells that he accepts. Just take it at her speed and what iv found helpfull before for horses with biting issues is when I'm working in the yard I put the bridle on in the stable and everything is done in the bridle no headcollar in sight so they get use to it. And lots off prise and stokes when things go right.