Long Reining.

[brigadier]

Hi
Im passionate about long reining, alwyas use it on youngsters and re-training to encourage horses to go forward and be brave.

How many other people do it?
Did someone teach you or did you just pick it up?

etc etc

Brig

[Maes Seren]

Ive done it a few times, im not overly keen, feel much happier to lunge than to long rein, maybe its cos ive not done it alot.

[aimee]

I long reined my OH's pony for a little while. Its hard work though lol I learnt through watching other people do it. Plus I had a demo at college a few months ago. I think its a really important thing for youngsters and re-training along with lungeing

[rainbow]

I have done it at college but the horses there are good at it. try and do it with my mare and well just is a bit dippy and dont quite understand takes two of us to do it and then she likes turning round on you, and everytime you try to get the lines back behind her she just spins.

My friends horse is a natural at it though. i do enjoy doing it if rainbow would understand

shes good to lunge though

[kateflashy]

i dont do it much only in an enclosed area ive heard to many times when horses have bolted and if they do youve got no chance of stopping them

[Blonde Donkey]

i prefer it because we can go places and see things insteada of going round in circles. loved long reining paddy because he loved it

[haffyfan]

Murph refused to co-operate but Harry was quite happy to long rein. We long reined around the fields and on a circle sometimes but I wasn't brave enough to take him out and about. Not sure if he would remember as I haven't since I started to ride him but he picked it up pretty quickly the first time. Definatly more use than lunging and much better for them.

[rainbow]

ive taken rainbow just down the lane it was more well if your goin to play up were going further untill u stop then can go home. she was ok when she was going it was just every so often she'd spin.

[brigadier]

Hi, Ive never had a horse bolt with me and actually think youve more chance of stopping them with long reins than if youre on their back. Also safest because if its a true bolt, better youre not on their back!!!!!!

As for spinning- I used to use a couple of lungelines to long rein in but once I swapped to these stopthathorse.com/startright/startright.php Ive never had a problem, Basil was a real home boy when I got him and would throw a paddy at every junction leading to home- but not once was he able to spin! interestingly enough that is his evasion of choice when he sees something he doesnt like when ridden so I think it was the design of the reins that stopped him!

Brig

[rainbow]

they goood and helpfull rode rainbow today was trying to get her to soften in the neck she did at times but then as soon as she did her head went back up again. But we shall get there.

[brigadier]

As long as she is doing it at times she will realise how more comfortable it is eventually and then drop into a better shape. Dont rush her though- its more important she feels confident to find her own balance, that way when you get a good shape you will know it has come for the right reasons!
brig

[maximum]

I love it and will ling rein all over the place, up hill and down dale, through water etc so that when the time comes to ride the horse out it is thinking of me and not the scary things in front of it.

I also use it as part of my fittening process when bringing any horse back to work- gets me fit as well!

I have seen it done where the lines are put through the stirrup irons - do you do this brig? I tend not to so that if it goes a bit pear shaped I can revert to lunging the horse round me.

Benn doing it for 20 odd years and never had one piss off as I ensure have done lots in secure area before I venture out.

[brigadier]

Hi Maxie,
I do put the reins through the stirrup irons and secure the irons to the girth with a spur strap.

I usually long rein on a journey and dont mix it with lungeing if that makes sense- no particular reason -its just the way Ive alwyas done it. the lady who taught me did though and would long rein first then intruduce the horse to lungeing off the long reins so there was never a need for a second person as the horse knew the basic commands. I think I dont mix the two because by the time I get back to the yard Im so knacked thats the end of the session!!!!

I rode out with someone the other day and her horse was spooking and spinning and carrying on alarming but Basil was brill- he looked at stuff but kept walking forward- very brave, I think this shows just how good long reining is as Im positive its the work that I put in beforehand that did this.
brig

[duckles]

I've tried it twice, once on each horse. Neither moved forward, just kept looking back at me and then turning back to me. So I gathered a. they hadn't been long reined before and b. I hadn't a clue how to do it. I have been keeping a look out for a book or dvd on it. No one I know does it so I can't study it in action, just photos in magazines etc. I'd love to do it as I've heard such good things about it but having said that, I'm not great as lunging so might be equally untalented as long reining. However, I suppose its best to introduce it to a young horse.

[brigadier]

Hi Duckles- I think Jennie Loriston Clark has done a book but dont think there's a video/dvd been done- shame really. Might do a book after or epic Le Trec gets published!!!!! ;D
Brig

[maximum]

duckles- I always start by lunging and move onto lunging with 2 reins and then they are used to the feeling along the side and then move slowly back and since they have learned the voice commands on the lunge they will move off when you say 'walk on' - thats the theory!!!

[brigadier]

Hi Maxie- now thats interesting because I always long rein first!!

Again Im not saying either way is wrong or right because on balance both ways have their merits. I prefer the long reins first as horses understand being driven- its to do with the herd instinct I think and being driven by the lead horse or even their mother when they were a foal- so I think this way you can build up a strong 'lead' bond. But this occurs anyway with lungeing so both are as good. (Im working out my reasons as I type here because this has made me think about it......!).
Also I think long reining first is a more logical progression with a young horse because it creates the least strain on the legs. I seldom ask for trot on the long reins but will do short spurts. Ive never had a horse that wont do it- but Im a fairly 'strong'person and have reasonably quick reactions so that helps. I have shown people how to do it and have noticed that people have varying success at picking it up- as in all things- so I do think it requires a certain amount of aptitude.
When I first do it with a new horse I will put a harbridge on the horse just in case- it helps if the horse panics and attempts to rear, once I know the horse then I take it off. The lady who showed me used a standing martingale for the same reason.
Brig

[duckles]

Brig and Maxi- thanks. I must look out for the book as I would love to do it. ( Prefer your book of course Brig- perhaps Darcy can demonstrate for the photos.) Its very interesting reading your respective views. Great to have professionals on the forum! Just some quick questions:
1. Can an older horse pick it up?
2. Can it be learnt without being taught?
3. How far from the the horse's rear do you stand?

[trojanwarrior]

I used to work on a stud farm & plenty of time was spent long reining youngsters as part of their backing process. It got me really fit too!! I had a go at long reining Warrior when I was given the ok to ride him again. He loved it, but I was always knackered at the end, as I'd be jogging to keep up with his walk!!

[brigadier]

Hi Duckles

Yes I think older horses can do it- would probably like the change!

Yes I think you can do it without being taught- just try it- as long as you dont take it too seriously at first what can you lose?

Stand as close as you feel comfortable with- do it in a field or somewhere enclosed first so you can stand a fair distance from your horse but as you learn to trust the horse you will stand closer- the Spanish riding school get right up their bums and they are stallions! Ive posted a very unflattering pic of me and Basil long reining (we both look terribly scruffy!) Hubby and child came with me hence the pic- it was a family outing!! This will give you an idea re distances.
brig

[duckles]

Thanks Brig, that is encouraging - I will definitely give it another go. Love the photo- yes it is much more helpful to see it than saying so many feet away. I notice that there is something behind the legs. Is this special long reining long lines? Like the idea of the family outing going long reining- great upbringing for any child!

[brigadier]

The ones i like to use have a breech strap and one that can go over the back- they help stop the horse spinning but are removable if liked as some horses do not like a breech strap. they also have hand positions which are great as you know how evenly you are holding them. Bit fancy as two lungelines will do the job but I really like them!
Brig

[maximum]

brig- I tend not to do too much work on the lunge just get them used to the commands and the feel of the ropes. Its just the way I was taught, no great theory behind it but it is what I am comfortable with!

Duckles - Max was long reined last year at 12 and took to it no bother, we do a lot of hill work in them to help him get fit and develop muscle without a big lup like me on his back.

someone did point out that an ex harness might have thought he was racing again but thankfully it never happened!

I do short bursts of trot but only because I am so unfit I cant do much more than short bursts!

the thing to remember is that the reins are still that- reins- and so the hand should be used in as a soft and allowing way as you would when riding.

[brigadier]

Yes the hand thing is important- in fact really important- glad Maxie's mentioned it, when asking for whoa its a gentle restraint then immediately give, on and off on and off, even if the horse is dancing about, never pull back and never hold solidly, always the restraint and give.
Must do a pamphlet on it!!!!!!!!
Brig