How to Long Line Horses

Long lining a horse is a way to teach the animal to move in a fluid and balanced manner. One of the advantages of this training method is that it can be undertaken long before the horse is old enough to ride. If you start using long lining techniques with your young horse, you can develop an animal that is well muscled throughout the hindquarters, and one who has developed the balance it needs to move forward with under saddle work when the time comes.

Things You'll Need

  • Long lines
  • Training surcingle
  • Dressage whip
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Instructions

    • 1

      Teach the horse the basics of ground manners, including moving with you and leading properly on a normal lead shank. Before you begin long lining, the horse should be able to trot at your side, stop on command and turn on its hindquarters. All of these skills from a basis upon which you can build when you do begin your long line work.

    • 2

      Attach a training surcingle around the horse's midsection, just like a girth would be positioned if you were using a saddle. The surcingle wraps around the horse's middle, and it contains a number of rings through which the long lines are attached.

    • 3

      Attach one end of the long line to the side of the horse's halter, or training cavesson. A training cavesson is preferred, since it is designed to work with the long lines and the surcingle. You can, however, use a halter as a substitute if need be.

    • 4

      Run the long line through the ring on the training surcingle. A typical surcingle has three rings on each side --- one higher up, one lower down and one in the middle. Starting in the middle gives you a chance to evaluate your horse's movement and determine the best position to develop its balance.

    • 5

      Attach the other long line to the opposite side of the halter or cavesson. Then run it through the same ring on the surcingle. Move behind the horse and hold both long lines in your hand. It is helpful to have a friend at the front of the horse when you work.

    • 6

      Cluck to the horse and urge it to move forward. Tap the horse lightly with the dressage whip if necessary to get it to move. Work at a walk first, watching the horse's head. As the horse relaxes and begins to become more balanced, it should lower its head to the point where it is roughly even with his withers. The exact head position depends on the horse's conformation, but a roughly level neck is a good indication of balance and fluid movement.

    • 7

      Work the horse at a walk until it is comfortable and balanced. You may need to move the long lines to the other rings on the surcingle to get the balance and movement you need. As time goes on, you can move to work at a trot to help the horse maintain the balance it needs when you begin your under-saddle work.