The IH Ultimate Guide To Longlining

“The IH Ultimate Guide To Longlining” provides a comprehensive overview of long lining horses, a versatile training method with numerous benefits. It covers everything from the basics to advanced techniques, including navigating obstacles and long lining in different environments. The guide also touches on long reining for schooling and rebalancing horses.

The guide is divided into four parts:

• Part 1 – The Basics
• Part 2 – Negotiating Obstacles
• Part 3 – Beyond The Basics
• Part 4 – Longlining Out and About

Key points covered include: 

• Benefits of long lining: prepares for starting/backing, introduces aids, similar to lunging (without “one-sided” effect), introduces obstacles, addresses nappiness, aids therapy/suppleness, assists driving training, practices dressage, exercises small ponies, introduces new equipment, schools/rebalances horses, boosts confidence, adds variety.
• Getting started: requires safe, enclosed area (round pen, arena, paddock), considers safety if horse gets loose.
• Essential equipment: saddle/roller, pad, Dually Halter/bridle, long lines, hat, gloves, footwear. Hi-Viz for roads.
• Preparing to use lines: understand handling, practice exercises, decide how to hold lines, shorten/lengthen with contact.
• Basic techniques: walk on, turn, stop, stand still, back up, emergency stop.
• Acclimatising the horse: exercises to get the horse comfortable with the lines.
• Advanced long lining: negotiating obstacles (poles, blocks, tarpaulin, jumps, overhead).
• Long lining out and about: requires confidence in enclosed area, insurance, Hi-Viz, route check, helper, visibility, quick reactions, avoid coiling lines, scout locations, plan for difficulties, choose quiet routes, walk pace, avoid heavy traffic, use obstacles.
• Long reining: for advanced schooling, focusing on engagement, mobilising the forehand.
• General principles: build training incrementally, at horse’s pace, backtrack when needed.

In summary, the guide positions long lining as a valuable and multifaceted skill for horse owners, beneficial for training young horses, rehabilitating injured horses, adding variety, and preparing for advanced work, with a strong emphasis on safety and gradual progression.