Longreining

[lisaNW]

I have SO many questions about long reining etc., but starting with a simple one - do both inside and outside reins pass through turrets on the Portugese roller? And is this still appropriate if you are essentially lunging with two reins rather than being behind the horse and close?

What I'm getting at is that I've been advised to have the inside rein free (not through a ring) and the outside rein through a ring on my normal (non Portugese!) roller when I'm lunging with two reins so that there isn't too much leverage on the inside.  

However, what I notice is that the inside rein consequently has more of a downward action (i.e. it's quite low because of the weight of the line and I'm usually holding it very lightly).  This seems in contrast with what I might do when riding - either both reins would be the same height or I might raise the inside momentarily if necessary, but not the outside...

So...I then considered (and tried) the Richard Maxwell way for the novice horse - saddle on and stirrups ties under the belly and both reins through the stirrups.  I tied the stirrups so there was an inch or two give outwards (if that makes sense) and also because they're HM stirrups they face forwards all the time and the reins didn't get snagged and moved freely through them.  

Another point with having the inside rein free  is that I can't just change direction and go from circles to manoevering about the school...

I'm really not sure which is for the best? I can lunge her on one rein with side reins too and am happy enough doing that but I feel I can interact more on long reins.

I'm dabbling in 'closer' in-hand work too...which I think is going to be great although I have to be careful atm as we're trying to establish whether she's OK through the back/hind end so asking for lateral work is probably not such a good idea until we know (hence thinking about longreining again as I can just do straight lines if need be).

Opinions appreciated....

Lisa

 

[Emma]

Dear Lisa

Sylvia Stanier's book is meant to be good for explaining long reining (although I still have not been able to get hold of it!)
I have learnt several methods but I have to say from a progressive training point of view I do like the way Jenny is teaching me (based on Syvlia's teachings) ; but as with everything it depends on where the horse is at in its training and its suppleness as to what exactly you do.

Looking forward to seeing you soon.
Emma

[Cabruze]

Emma - agree Jenny is brilliant!  

Sylvia's book on Long Reining is available from Amazon for £6.50:

here

[lisaNW]

:lol: I know - I went for a one-off lesson on lunging and to learn the Baucher flexions! I  intended to go back but well, lets say I'm even further away now!

I suppose the two key things are to get her working more from behind and to straighten her...

Think I'd better get a copy of the book!


 

[Cobstar]

It's a fab book - well worth the money.

Having seen Jenny longrein many moons ago at a CRC day, and more recently when Sylvia did a couple of lectures in Cheshire (and yes we did a day trip from Kent for one, and sneaked in an overnight stay for the second - and it was well worth it).

The Danish way makes so much sense now I've read about it and seen it demonstrated.  And my new mare is Danish - synchronicity or what  :lol:

As Jenny is coming to Sussex regularly, hopefully, maybe I'll be able to get some lessons.
 

[franklin]

Hi. I always start the horse with the long reins as you describe one rein thro' the terret and one direct from bit to handler. Even when the horse is ready to have both reins thro' the terret I warm them up with the first method. This allows the horse to stretch down, warm up etc. Unless you are very careful when both reins are thro' the terrets the handler is inclined to pull the horse around the circle from the front and not push it from behind with the whip, and I don't mean hit it either. Merely raising the whip should be enough. Then you give with the inside rein. Before you get the both reins thro' the terrets there is a great deal of work to be done on the balance,rythm, eveness of the pace, reaction to the aids/co-ordination to hand and legs. I know it a pain stopping and changing reins over to change direction, but please make haste slowly. I have found that you will make the same mistakes on the ground as when you ride. ie. pulling the front and not pushing from behind, you will also get infront of the movement. You do all the work and the horse does not go round you working. The list is endless. If something goes wrong the first question should be what did I do wrong, the horse is only doing what you tell him!!.
It may sound complicated but once you have understood l/r it can be huge fun. Jenny

[lisaNW]

Hi Jenny,
 Thank you for that - it makes a lot of sense - especially the doing the same as when you ride...and getting in front of the movement! Great food for thought! But what about the fact that the inside rein seems lower - does that matter?  

Cheers,
Lisa

 

[franklin]

Hi Lisa, No don't worry about that as long as you have just the weight of the rein in your hand. If he leans on the rein shake it in a rippling motion, don't let him get hold of it.(don't worry if you spend a great deal of time doing this at first, he has got to learn to carry his own head) Where is your arm/hand position?. Hold the reins as though you where riding, not low down. BUT and this is a big but you must adopt the same upright body position as if you were riding. Low hand means hunched shoulders and I would like to take a bet that you will get tired very easily. I can hold my arms/hands in the correct position and they will feel as light as a feather, but if I don't my arms feel like lead, and I have dificulty in moving my fingers easily, and find that it becomes a strong hand movement instead. Having said that when Sam has "got one on him" so to speak the feather light movement of the fingers are neither uses nor ornament!!. Hope that helps. Jenny

[lisaNW]

Excellent - thank you. I shall pay more attention to whether I am carrying my hands in a normal riding position and maintianing my posture, but I do try to only have the weight of the rein so that's a good sign.

Cheers,
Lisa
 

[Claire]

mm.

i've recently started two rein lunging witih both reins through the top rings... because my mare WILL NOT let me round her right hand side at all when in the arena ..... and so i cannot make the adjustments to the reins that would otherwise have been done.

[lisaNW]

OK, I was lunging the other evening and I paid much more attention to what I was doing...I noticed that I let her take the rein a bit by allowing my hand (s) forward when she starts to hang on a little bit! Hadn't realised at all...so she would fall out a little and I'd let her take an inch or two before sending ripples down the line to ask her to come soft again!  so I concentrated hard on not doing that. I also noticed all sorts of little things I was doing inadvertently and managed to quieten myself down somewhat! I also kept an eye on my posture.  I have some things to work on now so that is a real help!
It's so easy to go through the motions without checking up on yourself - I'm really pleased to have had a reminder to look at myself!

Thanks Jenny!
 

[franklin]

A pleasure any time. Jenny

[franklin]

Hi Claire, I am sorry but I am being thick I don't quite understand what your mare is doing and the problems you are having. I will be delighted to help (that is if you want me to!!) as soon as I can get my brain to work. Can you describe the problem please. Jenny

[franklin]

Lisa, The husband has just walked while I was on line and noticed that you are in the N.E. Scotland are you any where Inverness?. He goes to the area quite a lot and said that if I wanted to I was welcome to come along. The thought of hanging around all day in a hotel would be boring but if you were any where near I could come and give you a hand. Hope you are not offended. Jenny    

[Claire]

franklin, thanks for the offer...where are you?

what i say, she will not let me go round to the right hand side when we are in the arena, at all.  therefore, i have given up with ordinary lunging, and have decided that the only way i can do anything is witih two reins, both through the rings on the roller.

i'm teaching my self with the assistance of books and videos and an online friend who reads my blog...

as to books.  i've got sylvia staniers, have now read it twice.  it's helpful.

but i can't find anyting to tell me what aids to apply to do whatever, or how to use the reins to do whatever. don't think trial and error is such a good diea, although we are getting there....

i've got richard hinrichs... too advanced for when you're starting off, but needs re reading (and watching, got the video as well)