To longline or leave...

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_EddiesMum_

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I have a 19yo TB with typically crap TB feet. My farrier has been amazing over the years with keeping them in shape but we've reached a point where he's pulled shoes and chunks of his feet off so much recently that we've decided to give him two months in the field with all shoes off to let them grow and find his own balance. This isn't a question about his feet btw..! We have that under control.

The question is he cant come out of his field as he'd be too lame on stones, its 5 acres so not the worst thing in the world but would like it if I could do more than just pat him once a day! So I've been thinking of longlining him round his field just to get some basic work in him. Do some fun exercises and just make him move around!

Would anyone recommend this or think this is a bad idea? He can be a stubborn ginger b**ger so no doubt would have a paddy but would be something fun for us to do together or should I just let him have a two month break and leave him be?
 
I think that is an excellent idea. I love long reining and it really is an artform, the more you practice the better you get. You can achieve great lateral work too.
 
If his feet will stand up to it, why not - but then if they stand up to being longreined in the field, would they not stand up to being ridden in the field? Or are you not allowed to ride in your fields?
 
annagain said:
If his feet will stand up to it, why not - but then if they stand up to being longreined in the field, would they not stand up to being ridden in the field? Or are you not allowed to ride in your fields?
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If his feet are poor then the added weight of a rider will not be a good idea and could result in sore feet.

I would never ride in my horses grazing paddocks, only on the grass perimeter ride. That's just something I have been brought up to believe that horses should be able to distinguish between their rest paddock and working environment. The long reining should be fun for the horse.
 
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