I tried long reining!

[Drummers mum]

I only used a headcollar and borrowed the YO's surcingle. She had to start me off 'cos I got in a knot!:o but it was ace!:D

Drummer really strode out and we even managed to weave in and out of some cones! I have to say I think he has done it before as he was so sure of himself! It was almost him teaching me!:p I'm so proud of him!

The only problem I was having was halting. At first he tried to turn round to see me but he soon got the idea that wasn't what I wanted. Then, he was hard to stop and stuck his nose in the air. Any ideas? Do you think a bridle would be better? He was perfect otherwise!

After 10 minutes or so, I could feel him become less enthusiastic and slow down so I did a few more circles and transitions then called it a day before he could get fed up, was that the right thing to do?

Anyway, I'm dead chuffed!:D :D

[Showjumper]

Congratulations, sounds like you did really well! :D

[shandy84]

Yay!! Well done, it's fun isn't it :) I tend to use a bridle when i am longreining mine as they are young and by using the bridle it mimics what you would do if you were on top, so he may find it a little easier to understand.

I think 10 mins for a first go is really good, it sounds like he is a normal baby boyish type though shuts off when he's done in his head so you may find making it fun like with cones and longreining out and things like that that he stays on the ball a little longer, I have to challenge Shandy sme days as she is so used to longreining now that she tends to just go through the motions if I don't spice it up a bit :)

[Esther.D]

Fantastic! Longreining is great, I do all my schooling on longreins with Rupert as well as with the shetlands - you can really see what is going on and I can concentrate in them without worrying about my riding :o

[Drummers mum]

Thanks peeps!

I did it again tonight! (won't usually do it 2 nights on trot but had to have another go!) and it was just as good!

Tonight we walked up the orchard and back and then I went in the big field and I got him to circle round me then change direction in trot! (needs faster work to get his belly down!)

It was soooooo much better than lunging. He was better behaved and I felt more engaged! After some initial tail swishing, he really listened and I was getting some good transitions!:D Its great to be able to watch how they move and he was so focused on me, hes not like that when ridden!

I am so so so so so pleased with him!:p and its great exercise for me too, lol!;)

[alwaysfallingof]

Hi Drummers mum. First of all, congrats for starting long reining, glad to hear you're doing so well with it. I seem to remember you saying somewhere that you were not sure whether it would work because he could be a bit funny about his back end at times. Was he ok with the reins around his quarters?
(sorry, random question, but I would love to long rein Max but he doesn't like things touching his bum when riding, and I wasn't sure about what he'd be like with another line)

[Drummers mum]

He was absolutely fine but I'm certain from the way he reacted that hes done it before!

You should try it, it is so good for your concentration and theirs. I started a long way behind so that I was out of kicking reach but other than swishing his tail in protest, he was an angel!!

When I asked him to go on a circle he didn't blink, if anything, the rein around his bum encouraged him forward and kept him working!

All you can do is try it!