Tips on introducing an oldie to long reining...

[Sophstar]

My cob got diagnosed with spavins in November and has been only worked in walk since as he is lame in trot. He loves going out for his walk around the block and once he's loosened up he is happy to march out for over an hour. He will be vet checked again next month to see how he's doing but if I face a summer of just walking work, I was thinking of getting him into long reining just to add a bit of variety to our work as work on a lunge circle is out of the question. He's 20 this year and as far as i know has never been long reined, so thought i would ask for any tips on introducing this new experience for him!

 

[Jaycee]

I started to long line our 21yr old after she was diagnosed with Kissing Spine. She took to it really well from the start. I use full tack and have the stirrups let down to be just level with her belly, I secure them under her belly with an old stirrup leather. the lines run from her bit, through the stirrups. If I'm longlining her out on the road it helps to have a couple of helpers, one at her head and one with me just in case anything untoward happens. I am usually at least 10 ft behind her. Use the longlines as you would your reins and back them up with vocal commands. Once you both get the hang of it there will be no stopping you, we have walked our mare for miles on longlines!