Rope for Longreining

sam72431

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My instructor has just started longreining my youngster after which I am going to carry on with him, I have lunge lines which are flat which she says are fine but they dont pass through the rings on the roller as well as they could so she has used her own rope type ones, so I really need to get a pair of my own I've had a look on the net and I can't really find any for less than £40 which seems alot if I need two. Does anyone know where I can get some? Also what would be a good length is 12ft sufficient? I want to be able to use one to do groundwork with as well. Thanks
 
I do alot of long reining and as a cheap solution I bought sailing rope. I made up 2 lengths long enough to pass from the roller to the bit and back again (to create running reins) with a bit of extra length for other things. Then I attached my lunge rope to the sailing ropes.

Maybe this will work for you?
 
Was the sailing rope easy to get?

Was there a specific thickness needed. Were you able to get the metal hooks (can't remember the name) easy enough
 
Hi, You should be able to get the rope at any hardware (B&Q etc) or farm store.
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Robinsons sell long reining reins for about £20, they are on the website and are rope to go through the roller rings then become like lunge lines where you hold them.
 
Hi no it didn't cost too much and I just bought small metal clips for the end going on to the bit. I didn't buy the really thick stuff as I didn't want it to be heavy, just medium as it's very strong stuff anyway. A lot of hardware shops sell it or a sailing shop.
 
I have a lovely pair of "proper" long lines (rope and leather) but confess I much prefer the ones I've made myself out of good old, hardware store rope over the years. I even have different lengths and weights, depending on purpose.
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I find rope longe lines are often too thick and not smooth enough to be comfortable or to slip easily through roller Ds, although they work well enough if you're using stirrups, and I generally find them slightly too long and either too light (nylon) or too heavy (webbing).

Best option, if you are able, is to go to a giant B&Q or similar and actually hold some of the different ropes, to see what thickness suits you best. I'd steer clear of twisted ropes (vs braided) and some of the nylon ones, as they're very slippery and can burn, even with gloves on, not to mention that they'll burn the horse if it gets caught up. (It would be lovely if that never happened but I'd rather take the precaution.) As far as putting clips on, I've always knotted and taped, although you can buy connectors that tighten with pliers. I prefer to have as little metal as possible near the mouth, though, so they're not overly heavy and inclined to "swing". Buy the lightest clips you can of suitable sturdiness but make sure they'll fit around your bit ring - nothing more frustrating than making up a nice set then finding out the clip is slightly too small!

I did notice last time I was in B&Q they also sell "tape" - I haven't tried it yet but am intrigued so will likely make up a set to try, particularly for finer, lighter horses.
 
Both my French trainer and a British friend who is a BHS instructor make their own. They buy rope from a Ship's Chandler. You can buy weight and texture to suit plus pulleys which are great.
 
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