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Free 7-day online mini course

Working on the long reins

 Start: May 1 

 

Do you want to learn how to work on dressage from the ground with your horse?

Working on the long reins is a valuable training method where you walk beside your horse’s hindquarters and work together on balance, straightness, lateral movements, and collection without the weight of a rider.

Many horses truly grow through this work.
They get to lead, and you’ll see them become stronger, prouder, and more balanced.

In this free 7-day mini course, you’ll build a safe and logical foundation to get started. From proper preparation to your first lateral movement.

Enter your name and email below to get free access!

Why working on the long reins is such a valuable training method

 

Working on the long reins is not “just a trick alongside riding.” It is dressage, only unburdened, from the ground.

You walk beside your horse’s hindquarters and can:

  • gymnasticize your horse without rider weight

  • help improve balance and straightness

  • refine your aids using the inside and outside rein

  • prepare and teach lateral movements

  • work towards collection and higher-level exercises

And because you’re right there beside your horse, you see so much more: where your horse finds things difficult, where he compensates, where tension builds  and most importantly, how you can improve it.

This training method is suitable for all horses and especially valuable for older horses and rehabilitation, as you can train without the weight of a rider. But young horses also benefit greatly in their development towards becoming riding horses  and of course, it’s a very enjoyable variation for every horse.

What will we do in these 7 days?

 

Working on the long reins is not just a fun variation, it is dressage from the ground.
In these 7 days, you will build a safe and logical foundation and work towards your first lateral movement.

We build this step by step:

▶ Day 1 – A good preparation

What is long reining exactly?
And what equipment do you use?
A good preparation is half the work.

▶ Day 2 – Preparatory groundwork

Which exercises do you need to be able to work safely in this training method?
How do you make sure your horse understands the basics before you start moving?

You’ll learn that in this lesson.

▶ Day 3 – Stepping forward and halting

How do you teach your horse to step forward confidently?
And how do you ask for a halt with clear, logical and light aids?

You’ll learn that in this lesson.

▶ Day 4 – Straight lines and corners

How does your horse learn the difference between going straight and turning?
How do you create clarity in your aids?
And how do you teach your horse to respond to the outside rein?

You’ll learn that in this lesson.

▶ Day 5 – Circles

How can you use the aids you’ve learned to create circles and improve your horse’s bend and suppleness?

You’ll learn that in this lesson.

▶ Day 6 – Changing direction

How do you safely change direction without confusion?
Once this is confirmed, it opens up endless possibilities in your long reining work.

How? You’ll learn that in this lesson.

▶ Day 7 – Shoulder-out

How do you take the first step towards a true lateral movement on the long reins?
And how do you use this exercise to strengthen the inside hind leg?

 

 Each lesson builds on the previous one and creates a clear, logical plan for both you and your horse. 

 
After this course, you will be able to safely start working on the long reins.
You will have a clear and well-structured foundation to work towards your first lateral movement with any horse.
From there, you can continue to develop further.
Sign up (free)

Who teaches this mini course?

My name is Astrid van der Ploeg, and over 30 years ago my mission began: to better understand horses and to give them a voice and a future.

In the early years, I bought slaughter horses from horse markets and started to focus on helping them recover mentally and physically.

Through various trainings and years of hands-on experience, I specialized in working with restart horses, behavioral challenges, rehabilitation of horses with movement issues, and training horses in a horse-friendly way according to the principles of classical dressage.

Over the years, I have trained thousands of horses, with long reining being an important part of that work. It is a way to gymnasticize horses without rider weight and to work step by step towards balance and lateral movements.

Who is this mini course for?

This mini course is for you if you:

  • want to learn how to start long reining in a clear and enjoyable way

  • want to train dressage from the ground

  • want more balance, relaxation, and enjoyment in your training

  • want to gymnasticize your horse without rider weight

  • want to take the first steps towards lateral movements

Sign up (free)

How does this mini course work?

Starting May 1, you will receive a new lesson by email every morning. Each lesson includes a clear explanation and practical exercises you can work on that same day.

Do you have questions, are you running into something, or would you like to share a video of your training?

You can join our private community group, where you can ask your questions and share videos so we can support you along the way.

 We do this together! 

 

Joining is free.

We start on May 1.

Would you like to build this foundation and learn how to work safely on the long reins?

 

→ Sign up (free)