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Welcome to day 3 of the mini-course

 Working at the Long Rein  

 

Today we are going to make a start on the long reins. We’ll look at how to ask your horse to move forward and how to make a halt, using clear and consistent aids.

There are different aids you can use, and the key is that you build them up step by step until your horse responds.

The aids you can use are:

  • Intention

  • Energy

  • Posture

  • Voice command

  • Reins

  • Whip

If you want your horse to respond to light aids, you first need to teach your horse what those aids mean. This requires consistency in your questions and clarity in your timing.

When you ask a question (an aid), your horse will start searching for the right answer. Not every answer will be correct — and that’s okay.

Ignore the incorrect responses and calmly repeat your question. Your horse will keep searching. The moment your horse gives the correct answer, you immediately release your aid and reward.

This is how your horse learns:

  • What your aid means

  • Which answer is correct

  • And how to respond quicker and lighter over time

Always start with small aids, but don’t be afraid to build them up until you get a clear response.

Your intention is one of your most powerful tools. Be clear in what you want:

  • What should it look like?

  • What should it feel like?

When your intention is clear, everything else follows — your energy, your posture, your voice, your reins, and if needed, the whip as an extension of your arm (not to hit, but to support your aid).

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:

  • You start working on the long reins for the first time

  • You learn how to ask for walk and halt

  • You understand how to build up your aids step by step

  • You learn the importance of timing: release and reward

Your assignment:

Practice asking your horse to walk and to halt in a calm and consistent way.

 

Focus on:

  • Starting with your intention, energy and posture

  • Building up your aids only when needed

  • Releasing immediately when your horse responds

Notice:

  • How quickly does your horse respond to your aids?

  • Do you stay consistent in the way you ask?

  • Can you clearly feel the moment your horse gives the right answer?

Take your time to repeat this until it feels clear and relaxed for both of you.

Let us know in the community!

 

 What’s coming next:

▶ 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?