Hi all! I just thought i would share that i have FINALLY Long Lined my Brumby gelding, Buster!
It was soooo much fun too! It was a first time for us both but we did pretty well. I didn't get tangled in the lines but boy you sure do have a bit to think about when doing it. Lines, hands, horse...! I think Buster enjoyed it as much as i did. We practised a few turns after we got the hang of driving position and me controlling the lines. He offered me a trot too so i let him. Afterwards we had quality time and it was really nice. I was careful not to do too much but what we did was enough for our first time.
Anyway i just thought i'd share my good news!
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Horse Behavior and Training
First time long lining!
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Congratulations! I am still trying to figure it out, with some help from my husbands horse, Emmett, who seems to know what it is all about.
Keep it up Phantommustang! It really is a lot of fun when you get it :-)and You will get there. Monty makes it look so easy but it really is a skill that needs lots of practise to get it that good i think!
yeah sounds like you guys had a great experience together feels good! oscar and i will be heading down this path soon his geting a bit bored doing the same thing i think where nearly up for a new challenge.
Well done Janelle!! I am still to try it!
Do try it Maggie!! It is actually quite fun :-) Lucky for me Buster is slow so i can take it pretty easy. The hardest part is the turning. I haven't got that perfected yet but practise will make it easier. I did another session today and it went well again. My main problem now is how to get some impulsion out of Buster so he will trot or canter when asked. At the moment he is very content to dawdle along lol!
i am about to embark on my first long lining session with my gelding in the coming days. unfortunately we dont have access to a round pen or smaller area, just the indoor and outdoor schools at our livery yard. also the YO isnt keen on long lining but i think she is under the impression that it is more from directly behind the horse and not as Montys method is... my biggest concern is not having a small area to start off in, hoping that he doesnt take fright over it in the indoor school. i put a roller on him tonight for the first time and he didnt even bat an eyelid so heres hoping.....!
any advice very much appreciated!
Hi Shona hopefully he will be fine in the indoor school as long as he is totally familiar with it and you take it all slowly. I finally tried on my shetland. It was fun but I don't like the idea of trying it on my others as I did find it very difficult with the two lines to control.
I don't know how experienced you are in long lining, so the best advice I can give concerns your safety.
Wear a helmet, good gloves, good footwear and never walk closer to his hindlegs than that you are out of their reach.
Make sure the lines are properly held and in ordered loops so they can easily be let out if he pulls, and you don't risk getting your fingers caught and jammed.
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As for the actual long lining - just one thing: remember to keep your hands no higher than your hips and soft elbows. Or the horse will want to raise his head.
Have fun with it!
Thanks for the advice all! He hasn't been in the indoor yet as we just moved to this new yard a month ago, but I'm going to take him in tomorrow. There are mirrors in it, all over! So that's going to be his big challenge at first I think! I've got plenty time tho, he is only two and a half after all, isn't three until beginning of December. Have been getting the feeling that he is a bit bored standing about in field hence why decided to start doing a few things with him, apart from the in hand shows he has already been out too! Will keep you all posted!
Shona & Tonto!
Take it easy with him in the arena as he may well spook at the mirrors the first time. Remember to have a long lead line as Monty does in case they spook and your helmet. I would leave the long lining for awhile as you have plenty of time for that. Hope he is good and takes it in his stride. He is still a baby so try not to expect too much from him.
Do be careful with the mirrors!
I've seen horses trying to jump through them - one got hurt really bad. Any way they can be covered with sheets or something? At least on the short ends of the arena.
My biggest concern here is that the horse can easily run away with you. Even in the confines of the round pen I find the horse will sometimes pull me on the long-lines and only the walls of the round pen keep him from getting away from me. Also, long-lining requires a certain amount of skill and practicing for the first time in a large open area with a horse that's never done this before seems like a daunting task. I don't want to discourage you but please don't be overly disappointed if you are less than successful under the circumstances.
Good luck,
Well done Janelle - glad you enjoyed it. Long lining is a great training method. I first started using long lining 30+ years ago - oops - giving away my age lol. It is a fantastic training method and allows great communication between horse and trainer in a controlled environment. Important to remember to stay calm and relaxed and this will help with the horses responses. Shona if both you and your horse are green to long lining I agree with kleinne your task will be a bit more difficult in an open space. Is there any possibility of trying this on an older educated horse first who is already responsive to the aids - perhaps this could give you greater confidence with Tonto. Anyway, whatever you do try your best and as I say remain calm and relaxed - sounds like Tonto may be that way by the sound of his reaction to the roller. The fact that you are not rushing will greatly improve your success rate and I think you sound sensible in your approach. Good luck and keep us posted as to your progress with Tonto. Best of luck - Jan