Long-reining problems

[Detroit]

Hi. I got interested in long-reining my horse but a few problems have occurred.

The horse is a 12 year old friesian gelding, so a big and a strong horse. Like most of the friesians, it has been taught to carriage driving in the Netherlands. So reins touching his sides and hind legs aren't a problem for him. But what is a big problem, is that he won't halt or slow down.

When walking he does everything right, he doesn't pull his head up or resist any way, he actually seems to like it. But when I pull the reins wanting him to stop, he starts to wriggle and shows me all the leg yieldings he can do but will not halt.

When trotting he goes nicely too, carries his weight on his hind legs and everything, but again will not slow down to walk. I haven't even tried this in canter, 'cos he's too strong for me if he decides just to go on. The more I pull the reins the faster he goes, so that can't be the right way to do it.

I've been thinking this is because the carriage driving, can he have been taught to increase speed by pulling the reins or what? Or is this just something else?

When I lunge him, he won't change his pace punctually by my orders but he does slow down. I'm asking 'cos I know long-reining can be very efficient when done in the right way, but I don't want to ruin anything by doing things wrong. The horse clearly doesn't understand what I'm asking him to do when I try to halt him. Does someone know how the carriage horses halt or at least something that could help me? Thanks :)

[Alison+Rio]

Many people who drive use lots of voice commands. Theres a little gelding at the farm where my horses r kept an hes terrible to lead etc unless u use voice commands. Then he turns from a horror into a dream pony! you should also try taking a lunge whip or schooling whip with u. When u ask him to stand try an do it next to a fence or wall depending where u long rein him. Keep the stick to one side of him and have the fence to the other. This leaves him nowhere to go. I do strongly recommend using lots of voice commands though! Good luck an let us all know how it turns out!

Alison + Rio + Cassey

[Shiny McShine]

It sounds as though your gelding was well educated to harness. Leg-yeilding movements are important in harness and his willingness to display this proves his training. I do agree that voice aids would be worth a try as many harness horses are trained to stop by them. Good luck with it.

Also I don't know if you have tried but if he is good with the leg-yeilding on the ground you should find he will be quite apt while being ridden. :)

Another thing you may want to try is to stop him up against a fence as you use the reins, until he responds to them a little better. Hope this helps.

[Detroit]

Thanks for the tips. I did a little asking around some German forums and found out some of the commands. Can't wait to try those (now I'm sick and can't go out much :( )

Shiny McShine: Actually my horse isn't very good at the leg-yeildings when done while being ridden. Other side goes pretty well but the other doesn't at all. It's a funny world ;)