Long reining...Where to start?

[Gemma16]

Hi all, I have been thinking lately that really I should do more work with taffy on the ground. Eg- lunging and long reining.

I have tried lunging him before but it is rather difficult as we have no school to do it in, and no where to fence off. So I had to do it on and open filed. This is where I do his ridden schooling so he behaves quite well. But he didn't seem to understand the concept of him going round, he just wanted to come into me.

I thought then of long reining...I'm not sure if you have to start by lunging with two reins or what? Would this help with his nappy behaviour when I try to lead him anywhere but to and from the feld?

Any pointers would be a massive help please.

Thank you.

[Yann]

It might help, as you can use the outside rein to keep him out, and also waggle it on his hocks to keep him moving if necessary. Rio doesn't 'get' lunging at all but long reins pretty well, presumably from her driven days.

Long lining is used by quite a few NH trainers as an aid to building confidence in the horse. You do need to take it a bit at a time if that's what you're doing though as they can still spin or back up over you if the mood takes them:)

[Gemma16]

Thanks Yann, so would it be nessicary for me to lunge first with the two reins? Or could I go straight for the long reining with someone at his head to start to avoid confusion on Taffs part?

Also would I be right in using his bridle with a roller with side reins? I would attach the reins to his bit, pass them through the rings on the sides of the roller, then have the side reins attatched to his bit then to the roller?

Does this sound right? Would I need to take a whip with me?

[Yann]

I'm not an expert on this, but I'd have thought you could try either method. Rather than going for a traditional circle with you stood in the middle you might be better asking him forward on a bend and walking along just behind him on an inside track, it'll be easier to use the second line over his hocks and control his direction. Let the lines trail on the floor behind you and keep out of the danger zone if there's any possibility he could kick you.

I would carry a whip unless he's whip shy. When I've done it I've threaded the reins through the stirrups and tied them together with a spare leather, a roller will be just as good if not better. Do you plan to use side reins as well? You may be better off without them until he gets the idea, but once he does then yes, you'd attach them in the normal way.

[cvb]

I always used to struggle a bit when I 'played' with long reining. Then I got a decent roller with long-reining rings either side and it made such a difference. I also got a really neat set of long-reining reins - the first part is round cord so it slides through the rings in the roller really well, then the latter part is webbing, where I hold. And in addition, its ONE continuous rein not a pair of reins ! That helped too, though you do have to make sure you don't walk into the loop :p

I think it helped that I was in Sweden where trotting is a big sport so they have lots of kit for training trotters ;) Long-reining is a lot more common there - least thats the way it felt to me. I've still never been formally taught how to do it tho', despite being an AI !

[Mehitabel]

t ostart off, you need a helper and you need to make sure the horse doesn't object to the reins round his backside - that's not something you want to discover when you're already behind him! have someone hold him, and put one lunge line onthe headcollar (not on the bit at this point in case of spooking). then hold it at the other end and walk round to behind him, so the line is along his side. flap it about, rub it on him,. and make sure that's all fine. then go a bit further behind him and wave it around over his bum, down to his hocks and flap it about there. then do it all on the other side.
this is really important before you get going - he mustn't have a paddy when the reins are round his back end!

i tend not to bother starting on a circle - i have someone leading the horse to begin with and just do it. to begin with, while you're getting the hang of steering and control (which does take a bit of doing) the leader can control the horse. then have them walking by the side, than gradually going back to the shoulder, then the flank, and then next to you.

don't try it on your own completely until you are 110% in control and confident - and never on a road. i always have a spare person in case of spooking, scary drains etc.

[LisaS]

I love long reining and it's certainly gets you fit.

If you haven't tried it before then Es has some good advice.

Good Luck:)

[chev]

It's also sometimes helpful if you can have a roller on and thread the lines through the rings - saves them getting tangled with legs. And yes, I speak from bitter experience :o . Luckily I got away with a spooked horse and some rope burns.

I also find it easier with thinner lines - I use a pair of full size draw reins to long rein my sec A (well they've got to have some use ;) ) since proper long lines are not easy to come by here. They have a buckle in the middle so can be used as one rein or two. I find lunge reins are sometimes a bit bulky. I did have a pair of home-made reins which were great - thin strong rope line from a chandlery with a trigger clip on the end for attaching to the bit (or headcollar).

I never really bothered with long-reining on a circle either - I found the easiest way to get started was to teach the basics of lunging, and then start long-reining from the shoulder. Once horse had the idea of walking away I dropped back, until I could direct by walking to one side or the other. I haven't had the advantage of helpers unfortunately - it is much easier with someone else to guide to begin with. I don't carry a whip either - simply because my brain doesn't multi task very well and I got fed up of falling over it. Those who are sufficiently well co-ordinated to carry one find it can be very effective to aid direction changes.

Have fun! I love long-reining. Keeps you fit too! :)

[Dizzy]

Lots of good advice, but I always use 2 different coloured riens, not essential but very helpful.

[ddgpony]

I love long reining Starlight. We decided to try long reining both ponies (Starlight & Sparky) about 3 months ago. Although they have been with us for 10/11 years it's something we hadn't tried before. The fields we use are hay fields with a track mowed around them. With 2 spooky ponies, the tall grass, or the hedges, become a hiding place for all those pony eating monsters! Although neither ponies bolt, their spooks can be very unseating when ridden!

I use a roller with rings, and side reins on Starlight, because he puts his head down the to grass if he can reach it. I find the long lunge reins a bit bulky to hold, but they do mean when we are trotting around the fields I can let them go a bit longer as I start to trail behind! (keeping me very fit).

Both ponies also know voice aids very well. I think this has helped a lot with their understanding of what was wanted from them when long reined.

[Gemma16]

Thank you very much for all the advice. Seems long reining is rather popular.

Monday is the day I'm gonna give it a go. My frined will be hlping me too, so hopefully that will make it better.

Do you think I should wear the side reins? Taff can be quite strong and that extra constant contat might just give me the upper hand if he decided he did or didn't want to go somewhere fast.

[Evol_or_revert]

I would use sidereins if you are lunging for a short time, and know what length to put them at and if the horse is working from behind.

I have been told it's "useless" to lunge without them, but i think it's good excise anyways and only use them on nicky on schooling days.

Good luck for the long reining

[cvb]

in books I've seen more than one way to attach the reins for long-reining. There's the 'obvious' way where the reins go from bit, through rings or stirrups, to the handler. But then you can also clip the rein to the rings on roller, go to bit, and then back again (bad description, but check some books !). This second way (to me) is much harsher and sort of turns the reins into a draw/running rein.

In general (with normal rein attachment) I find that the long reins 'amplify' my contact so its a risk that the horse will curl up a bit, and you have to be quite forward thinking and sensitive with your hands.

But I thought I'd mention the option in case someone else finds it useful. Though please check one of the decent books on long-reining as even I havew trouble visualising it from my own description ! :eek: :D