Just finished watching the long lining lessons. Very interesting and informative. It is really good to see the overhead cam showing exactly what is happening to the horse. I doubt many of the people using this system would continue if they could see what it was doing to the horse's back. I think I might need to watch these particular videos many times to really establish in my mind what looks correct and what is clearly not.
Great start to this Uni, I am really enjoying learning more and more every day, just wish I was in sunny California and not cold wet miserable UK.
Ha ha it's good to know there are other students out there who have misarable weather, I hear you !! It's really cold and wet and - terrible !!!! here in Berlin too and that puts a hold on my studies I need to do after I have attended the advanced class in California in June this year. No covered round pen here - let alone almost always sunny weather. Wehenever you can, catch a plane and go to attempt a class at wonderful Flag is Up Farms ! And believe me - it is absolutely not just for the weather that you will keep coming back after your first time, it will be beside many other thing the feeling that Monty and his instructors creat an invironment to learn for us which makes every day there so prescious. I cross my fingers for better UK-weather, have fun, cheers, Vio Berlin
Hi I sent this to Ask Monty but I thought I would paste a copy here in case anyone might have some advice.
Greetings,
First I would like to thank you for Equus Online and the fact that you explain yourself scientifically. For those of us who learn differently it is very helpful to be able to have your wonderful information in multiple formats, visual, audible and written.
It is about one of your lessons that because you provided the science that I understand your reasoning so well that now I have further questions.
I am learning to be a riding instructor to help people with special needs, disabilities and broken hearts. My primary desire in doing this is to learn not only how to help the people but what the horses need to know so that I can train horses to be service/therapy animals not only for centers that need them but also for individuals looking for properly trained horses.
One frequently used form of therapy used is vaulting as well as other riding where the rider is set to concentrate on doing exercises while the horse is controlled by a handler/therapist at the end of a long line.
After reviewing your classes on single lining a horse I now understand why it is a bad thing to do. If you had not explained it scientifically and shown the angles from so many angles I am not sure I would have seen it.
My question is: how can I use a horse for vaulting without doing damage to my horses spine, pelvis, and ligaments. The horse moving in a disunited gait will be counter productive to what we are trying to achieve with the therapy as well. At the same time double lining is not safe for vaulting as it would risk a rider becoming entangled in the lines.
I suppose it would be possible to double line for a rider who is supposed to be doing exercises with the reigns dropped, however, if there is a side walker we are back to the original problem of possible entanglement.
Do you have any advice?
I'm not Monty, but . . .
Single lunging doesn't have to be damaging to the horse, if it is done classically. The problem is that most people just send their horses out on a line attached any which way, whipping them around frantically to "exercise" them or "work out the kinks" before riding.
I suggest you get a few good books about lunging and vaulting. Then get the correct equipment and practice! Take some lessons from an expert, if you can -- but make sure it is someone who knows and uses classical (dressage) techniques and who understands vaulting.
http://www.classicaldressage.co.uk/html/lungeing.html
http://www.americanvaulting.org/startclub/selectinghorse.shtml
Just received this question from Paul Anciaux, Dec-30 12:56 (PST):
Hi,
I have a problem when long lining. Already after half a circle my horse is asking me (by putting his head down to the ground) whether we could please stop. Moving my offside reins against his hocks does not really help. It just seems to confuse the steering and makes him stop. I even tried with a pole and a plastic bag fixed to it (see Monty's book "From my hands to yours")to keep him going, but unfortunately my horse knows that sometimes carrots come in plastic bags and therefore was rather drawn to the bag instead of running away from it. I would have to put a lot of agressive energy against him in order to make him move away from me. Yet, I do not want to spend that much energy just to insist on him moving around me in circles. Moreover, I do not want him to be afraid of me. I have taught him that whenever something bothers him he can come to my side and is safe. Are there any suggestions how a lazy but very intellegent horse can be motivated to be long lined. Monty always demonstrates long lining on horses that are easily scared and run away from the handler once he gets into the driving position or uses a little bit of agressive energy (klicking with the tonge or lifting the arm seems to be enough).
Thanks for any suggestions, Beate