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Welcome to day 2 of the mini-course

 Working at the Long Rein  

Today we take the next step: preparing your horse through groundwork. Before you start working on the long reins, it’s essential that your horse understands the basics and feels relaxed and confident.

With these preparatory exercises, you help your horse get used to the feeling of the lines, understand pressure and following the lead, and build a solid foundation for safe training.

Today is still about preparation — we are not yet actively working on the long reins.

We focus on relaxation, habituation and basic understanding, so that everything feels safe and familiar for your horse when you continue.

In this lesson, you will work on:

  • Habituation to the rope and movement around the body

  • Following the lead without resistance

  • Getting your horse comfortable with a rope around the hindquarters

  • Getting your horse used to your position near the hindquarters

We use a rope halter and a lead rope for these exercises. The lead rope is ideally around 3.5 meters and has some weight, so it stays stable and gives clear communication.

Exercises for today:

  • Exercise 1: One-rein stop / flexion of the neck

  • Exercise 2: Loop around the hindquarters

  • Exercise 3: Follow the lead

  • Exercise 4: Position

  • Exercise 5: Stick or whip and changing position at the hindquarters

Take your time with these exercises. The clearer your foundation, the easier everything will become in the next steps.

Have you already joined the private community? Here you can ask your questions, connect with fellow participants, and submit your own videos!

 Click here to go to the community. 

You can watch the new lesson below!

 

What to take away from today:

  • Your horse becomes familiar with the rope and your position

  • Your horse learns to follow the lead in a relaxed way

  • You create safety and prevent tension in later training

  • You build a calm and confident foundation

Your assignment:

Work through the exercises in a calm and structured way, focusing on relaxation and understanding.

Notice:

  • Can your horse follow the lead without resistance?

  • Does your horse stay relaxed with the rope around the hindquarters?

  • Is your horse comfortable with you standing and moving near the hindquarters?

Take your time, there is no rush.

 

Let us know in the community!

 

▶ Day 3 – Stepping forward and halting

How do you teach your horse to move forward with confidence?
How do you ask for a halt with clear, logical and light aids?

▶ 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?
How do you teach your horse to respond to the outside rein?

▶ Day 5 – Circles
How do you use the aids you’ve learned to create circles and improve bend and suppleness?

▶ Day 6 – Changing direction
How do you change direction without confusion?
Once this is confirmed, it opens up endless possibilities in your long reining work.

▶ Day 7 – Shoulder-out
How do you take the first step towards lateral work on the long reins?
How do you use this exercise to strengthen the inside hind leg?