What do you use when long reining?

[Jenna1406]

As title really - do you use one rein that attaches to both side or two lunge lines?

 

[Jojoeena]

Hmmm ... not sure what you mean by one rein attached to both sides, can not see how this would work ? ..

Two lines is the norm

 

[FBDD]

Two lunge reins x

 

[PorkChop]

Two lunge lines, and I prefer to use a roller

 

[Jojoeena]

Or do you mean one line with a clip at each end, sorry I think I was being thick above ha ha ... I have long lines so they are like reins with a buckle in the middle and a clip on each end so you can use them like one rein (useful if on a circle) or split them into two separate lines !

 

[BraidedTail]

As title really - do you use one rein that attaches to both side or two lunge lines?

I use one long one - it's 18meters long and definitely less knitting and easier to handle than 2 individual ones! Used to use 2 lunge reins untill I discovered the all in one 'doublelunge'.

 

[Gloi]

Cotton ropes, I find lunge lines too cumbersome.

 

[rowan666]

i use two but only because i had no idea you could get one with clips on each end! how much less faffing around that must be! im off to find one to order now!

 

[Exploding Chestnuts]

Ys but is the idea with two reins [I use webbing not those cheapo ribbons], that you can use them independently, not sure how using one rein would do that.
I have used the running cord through the bit, instead of side reins, this requires a roller as it runs between the legs, and returns to either side of the roller high up where it is fixed. There is one design which runs loose over the withers.
If you use two reins every day you soon get use to it, add a whip and you are half way to learning how to drive.
If you use a doublelength one, one which clips on both end so you have horse in a loop, that seems dangerous , if the horse misbehaves I drop the outer rein and bring him under control with the inner.
I may have mis-understood but you need about 12 metres on each rein to do a 20m circle, so if re attaching it you need nearly 25metres!!! I would never manage a single rein looped from one bit ring to the other, as I wold not know where I am, with two reins I always know where I am, , and if the reins in my hands are not properly looped in my hands I just stop and fix them and set off again. I feel as though that is so obvious I must be missing something.
And if you use one 20m rein looped you are not only going to have a potential broken leg situation if either of you trips, you are also going to be in a double barrel position at all times.

 

[Jenna1406]

Or do you mean one line with a clip at each end, sorry I think I was being thick above ha ha ... I have long lines so they are like reins with a buckle in the middle and a clip on each end so you can use them like one rein (useful if on a circle) or split them into two separate lines !

Yes I am meaning something like this.

I normally use 2 lunge lines but end up in a pickle. Had a shot of one that had two clips and it was much easier. But I am struggling to find one online. Where did you get your one?

 

[catkin]

have a look at Libby's driving reins, a better weight and 'handle' to lungelines. I use them separately but you can link them together with a little velcro buckle. They come in a variety of lengths too.

 

[dollyanna]

I use driving reins now, preferably the next size up from the pony (ie horse reins for cob) to give me a bit extra. A friend has just given me a pair of extra long driving reins that are almost as long as lunge lines but much lighter, thinner and grippier which I am chuffed to bits with.

I used to use lunge lines but with small hands I find it hard to hold all of the excess. I have a single rein (from ebay) but never really use it as I worry about it getting caught up in their legs more if the pony got loose.

 

[rara007]

Two long reins or lunge lines- unless you use tandem reins which are heavier than long reins driving reins arnt really long enough

 

[rara007]

http://www.oakfield-direct.co.uk/iv-horse-super-pro-long-reins.ir

 

[stencilface]

I use a lungeline knotted onto a lead rope so I create a double clipped longline. Doesn't look great but it works fine - and I've used it longlining a box rested horse on the roads - I never knew he could levade before then

For the dinkies I have to do this year, I'm going to use a pair of draw reins, I'm just hoping they're long enough so I'm out of kick range! The pony is pretty trustworthy, the mule is not!

 

[Jojoeena]

Yes I am meaning something like this.

I normally use 2 lunge lines but end up in a pickle. Had a shot of one that had two clips and it was much easier. But I am struggling to find one online. Where did you get your one?

I have these ..
http://www.amazon.co.uk/NORT-WEB-CORD-LONG-REINS-PS/dp/B00HSNQA4W
Didn't get them from Amazon but can not remember where I did get them from, the cord allows them to run freely through the roller and also being lighter than the webbing, they don't tend to swing either.

Bonkers2, They are more than long enough, I don't stand in the middle of the circle as with lungeing, I am slightly closer (but well out of kicking range) so walk a small circle with him to make the 20 mtr, this is how I was taught, rightly or wrongly it works well for me. The rein is still held in two hands when working around the arena, just like normal reins but when on a circle, my boy is at full range so there is no loop in the rein and by the nature of the outside line having to come round the horses outside you end up holding the near side rein - if that makes sense - I'm finding it hard to explain lol. You can still drop the outside line if they are messing around, it has never come anywhere near getting tangled but maybe that's because I have a bigger horse .. not sure .. anyway it means that when they do 'come back to you' you can just reel the outside rein in again without having to stop to go and pick it up.
I probably wouldn't have the lines linked if the horse was not used to being L/L though.

 

[Prince33Sp4rkle]

two separate lunge lines.

i wouldn't want them linked, even by velcro and fail to see how you could let the horse trot/canter on a circle with one single rein?! my school is 35m wide and i walk a circle myself for walk and trot but end up jogging to let my 3yo do a true full 35m circle. i cant imagine how fast i would have to run if i was any closer lol!

ditto whoever said that if they go inside out then i drop the outside rein and reel them in, i wouldnt want a joined rein dragging along.

 

[BraidedTail]

http://www.amazon.co.uk/HKM-Doublelunge-Soft-Long-Black/dp/B00NLIM59C - I have these. As jojoeena says you walk a small inner circle and have a much longer length of rein than with singles so would make around a 15m circle, plus your small inner circle would make a 20m. When behind you're well out of heel range, and again just hold like reins when riding. If horse messes around its easier to hold rein up out of the way with one hand and correct with free hand. I always use saddle or roller though as yes could be chance of tangling without. As for canter, just walk a larger inner circle. I certainly find it easier to control the horse and have not had to drop or reel in with a single longer line, as you are controlling with reins as if riding. Also using whip is easier with a free hand available if needed. Agree it is hard to explain and make it make sense!

 

[MotherOfChickens]

have tried all sorts including libbys and IV Horse long lines and always go back to my blue cotton lunge ropes. Mind you, I am tempted to get some leather ones for terreted roller work.

 

[Gloi]

Having a clip on each end sounds like the recipe for disaster.

 

[Jenna1406]

I found it alot easier only having to hold onto one thing instead of two for various reasons.

 

[dollyanna]

Reading the responses, it sounds like we all have a slightly different image in mind of longreining - to me it is more working from behind the horse, hence using long driving reins. If I was working on a circle then I would always use lunge lines because it is essentially lunging with 2 reins. I still don't like using a single rein but shorter reins are useful sometimes for working behind and then also to the side a la spanish riding school - but obviously that requires trust that your equine isn't going to kick you.

 

[rara007]

I put the end of the long reins over my shoulder when doing close work That way I can work on trot and canter lateral work, Piaffe and changes without changing the reins/lines (Sadly my only clever pony had to be retired, my others the changes are still while changing rein) Mine are only ponies though so don't get the degree of collection where I can walk at their canter pace for very long before I want to have the length of rein to send them on again, they get wound up if you keep coming back to walk while working on canter.

 

[catroo]

Reading the responses, it sounds like we all have a slightly different image in mind of longreining - to me it is more working from behind the horse, hence using long driving reins. If I was working on a circle then I would always use lunge lines because it is essentially lunging with 2 reins. I still don't like using a single rein but shorter reins are useful sometimes for working behind and then also to the side a la spanish riding school - but obviously that requires trust that your equine isn't going to kick you.

As above - lunging with two lines = lunge lines
long reining out and about behind the horse/pony = single rein

 

[Jenna1406]

Think I am going to invest in a single rein. My horse is only 3 so its long reining from behind and not in circles and I trust she wont kick me. When it comes to doing the lunging on a circle ill also be using two reins.

 

[MotherOfChickens]

Reading the responses, it sounds like we all have a slightly different image in mind of longreining - to me it is more working from behind the horse, hence using long driving reins. If I was working on a circle then I would always use lunge lines because it is essentially lunging with 2 reins. I still don't like using a single rein but shorter reins are useful sometimes for working behind and then also to the side a la spanish riding school - but obviously that requires trust that your equine isn't going to kick you.

I am generally doing a mix of all that-unless I am out on the lanes of course! But I prefer two reins always-I don't think my lunge ropes are full size.

 

[wiz07]

two lines and a roller... Much safer if you need to drop a rein....

 

[Prince33Sp4rkle]

well aware of the difference between lunging on 2 lines and long reining but if a situation arises and you need to reel them in PDQ then dropping one rein is easy enough to turn them back toward you. dangerous if the lines are linked or its one continuous rein.

also gives you little option to mix the 2 up in the school doing circles and lateral work as well as work from directly behind without being pulled in very close to the horse at trot and canter. i trust my 3yo not to take aim and kick implicitly, but he is a horse and may buck and leap from sheer joy of life and catch me by mistake........

 

[BraidedTail]

I am generally doing a mix of all that-unless I am out on the lanes of course! But I prefer two reins always-I don't think my lunge ropes are full size.

Now I'm wondering how long everyones ropes/lines are? The single one with clip at each end I have is 18 metres, and a lunge line I have is 9metres. I've also had a lunge line previously that's only 7 metres long. If you're lunging on a circle with 2, lets say, 9metre lines, your circle will be around 12/13metre diameter if your outside line is at full length? Is my maths right and does that make sense? And same with those using driving reins - how long are they? As someone else said (dollyanna I think) we all seem to have different pictures of long reining and I'm thinking the picture of length of reins is making a difference too!

 

[PolarSkye]

Two lunge lines, and I prefer to use a roller

This. I thread the lunge lines through the side rings on the roller - helps keep the lunge lines "tidy."

P