I am thinking of teaching Ben to long rein, just for fun. However I had no idea of how to do it, what equipment I need etc. Can anyone help?
How to long rein?
- Thread starter Mary Poppins
- Start date
Two lunge lines is all you need really and it helps to have a roller to start with as it stops the lines dangling on the floor when you first start.
Attach the lines to the bridle (I remove the reins or twist and loop them over the head and secure in the throat lash and then position my self behind and to the side of my horse, if your horse hasn't done it before it can be a bit daunting for them as they are used to you being there and might not walk on.
If your in a school, you could start in a lunging position using two reins (I use two for lunging) then at a walk as you come out of a corner you could start to guide him along a long edge or short edge of the school so you are using the fence as a natual barrier and you can adjust your hands to keel him on the track, then keep going using the perimeter of the school and do a few laps to get the feel of it, then introduce some basic exercises such as changing the rein in the school or a circle at one end then off again down a long edge of the school. Always position yourself to the inside slightly obviously so you don't get caught out from a kick etc I personally stand only about a metre away to start with then you can gradually increase the length.
Attach the lines to the bridle (I remove the reins or twist and loop them over the head and secure in the throat lash and then position my self behind and to the side of my horse, if your horse hasn't done it before it can be a bit daunting for them as they are used to you being there and might not walk on.
If your in a school, you could start in a lunging position using two reins (I use two for lunging) then at a walk as you come out of a corner you could start to guide him along a long edge or short edge of the school so you are using the fence as a natual barrier and you can adjust your hands to keel him on the track, then keep going using the perimeter of the school and do a few laps to get the feel of it, then introduce some basic exercises such as changing the rein in the school or a circle at one end then off again down a long edge of the school. Always position yourself to the inside slightly obviously so you don't get caught out from a kick etc I personally stand only about a metre away to start with then you can gradually increase the length.
So the lunge reins just clip into the bridle in the same way as side reins do?
How do you ask/teach the horse to walk on?
How do you ask/teach the horse to walk on?
more than one way to skin a cat.
Personally I hate to see unstable points of support like stirrups used, and the outside rein being thwacked again and again by the hind legs.
I like to use some kind of roller that takes the reins up to a more usual point of support through Ds terrets, and keep the reins coming over the top of the horse's back and not behind his legs as action from the hind legs disturbs the reins too much.
You will need a roller with D's or terrets, long reins or two lunges and a lunge whip or short dealers whip or a long schooling whip.
Personally, if I wanted to teach something to someone I'd go and have lessons from someone who knows what they are doing.
Personally I hate to see unstable points of support like stirrups used, and the outside rein being thwacked again and again by the hind legs.
I like to use some kind of roller that takes the reins up to a more usual point of support through Ds terrets, and keep the reins coming over the top of the horse's back and not behind his legs as action from the hind legs disturbs the reins too much.
You will need a roller with D's or terrets, long reins or two lunges and a lunge whip or short dealers whip or a long schooling whip.
Personally, if I wanted to teach something to someone I'd go and have lessons from someone who knows what they are doing.
You will need someone at his head to begin with , Most riding horses who have been lunged know the basic vocal commands. Babies who have never been ridden often need courage from a person leading them to begin with
Exactly the same
It helps to have your horse responsive to voice aids, mine has always been responsive to voice as I use it with riding as well so I've always asked him or alternated with "Walk on" and touch with the whip (only a touch) with a lunge whip.
Do you lunge Ben ? If so do you use many voice aids? There are some good ling reining clips on Youtube to get started to help you see it.
It helps to have your horse responsive to voice aids, mine has always been responsive to voice as I use it with riding as well so I've always asked him or alternated with "Walk on" and touch with the whip (only a touch) with a lunge whip.
Do you lunge Ben ? If so do you use many voice aids? There are some good ling reining clips on Youtube to get started to help you see it.
If you don't have a roller - I have a spare one around ...
I think that this is what I will need to do. It is just finding someone who I am happy with. Ben isn't responsive on the lunge. I did have some lessons teaching how to lunge, but this mainly involved smacking him with the lunge whip to which he would buck and run away and I didn't find it helpful.
Yes please, I don't have one. It is such a shame that you work during the day now because you would have been the perfect person to help with him.
Always have a whip with you ALWAYS!!!!!
So you can always send the horse forward!!
The place I had Andi for some training when she was 3.
The trainer for some reason did not go get a whip- the horse balked backed up she could not send it
forward and it got caught in the lines and went over backward. It was awful the horse ended up breaking something
and had to be put down.
SHE for some reason did not use one and it was the freak time the horse had issues and there was a very bad ending.
She did tell everyone DO NOT EVER EVER LONGLINE WITHOUT A WHIP.
It was very sad for the girl that owned that horse!!
So you can always send the horse forward!!
The place I had Andi for some training when she was 3.
The trainer for some reason did not go get a whip- the horse balked backed up she could not send it
forward and it got caught in the lines and went over backward. It was awful the horse ended up breaking something
and had to be put down.
SHE for some reason did not use one and it was the freak time the horse had issues and there was a very bad ending.
She did tell everyone DO NOT EVER EVER LONGLINE WITHOUT A WHIP.
It was very sad for the girl that owned that horse!!
It's easiest to be shown how, but there are very good instructions on how to do it in Kelly Marks' books and Richard Maxwell too. I can lend you the appropriate books if you would like them. It was a breeze getting Ziggy to do it, he clearly had more experience than me! Did Ben come from Ireland? If so he may well have tried it before too.
I have annual leave to use....
Cool. It would be lovely to see you and your help would be much appreciated. Can't fit it in before Christmas (I am sure you can't either) but perhaps when the schools are back in January?
I like to start out with 2 people too, then the driver can immediately start using the commands & cues as they will going forward (and they get a chance to get used to the feel before being totally responsible for control) while the second person provides a reassuring and reminding guide from the front
I have a few Kelly Marks books so will go and have a read through them to see if it gives any advice. Ben is passported with the British Driving Society which makes me think that he was bred to be a driving horse - he certainly has the build for it. I know his history since he was a 3 year old and I don't think that he has ever been driven but who knows?
He might well have been long reined before 3, as many people start young horses at it when they are 2 or so.
This for my way of thinking shows the worst you could do. First the unstable and weird point of support, ie the stirrup, Carriage driving and riding would never deliver pressure to the bit from that angle. Second, "teaching the horse to long lin on the road" No, teach the horse in a safe place then take it out on the road.
Holding the reins upside down ??why would you? you'd not hold tem like that to rise, so hold them normally as you'd ride, you get amuch softer and more forgiving contact . Having all that extra dangling rein in your hands is asking for trouble, I hate long reining with lunge lines they are far too heavy and long to get any subtle feel, in any windy weather they flap too. I made shorter ones out of yacht rope, it sheds water and does not catch in the wind.
AND as for flapping the reins on the horses side????would you do that and disturb the contact riding or driving? so why flap your reins long reining. Carry a whip and use it with care. and keep your contact soft and consistent.
I suspect you will find that he adapts to it though I wouldn't be surprised if he has long lines before. I think your difficulty will be motivating him to move based on your leading and lunging difficulties previously. That said he is well schooled and that will stand you in good stead he also seems self confident which helps - the biggest problem I've found is a horse that is insecure to walk forwards on their own
he also seems self confident which helps - the biggest problem I've found is a horse that is insecure to walk forwards on their own
I had my RI show me how to long rein first of all and would definitely recommend it, Ben may surprise you, I didn't think Belle had done any driving before and was very surprised at how easily she picked it up.
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