Getting back to the longe line training series, this next post will focusing on some common longe line training problems.

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If you have been following this series, great. If not you can catch up by reading Introduction To Long Line Training and Introduction To Longe Line Training Part 2.

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Longe Line Training Problem Number One:

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While longeing your horse, he reverses direction without your permission.

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The first thing I do when a horse reverses without my permission is tightening the pressure of the chain on his nose and say “whoa!”

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I will then walk up to the horse, and put him in his original position. I will do this over and over until I achieve my desired effect. The horse’s original position would be with him on the circle, not with his front legs too far to the inside of the circle, or his hind legs too far to the outside of the circle. Make your job easier and position the horse for success.  (He may back up when you put pressure on him with the chain, if he does that release pressure and say “whoa” until he stops.)

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Draw a circle that you will be longeing in the sand and make sure the line is between his two front hooves and between his two back hooves.
The arc of the circle will split him down the middle. This will give you a visual and a barrier to keep your horse’s circle round. If your horse is not standing on the arc of the circle, it will be an invitation for him to reverse without your permission. Each time your horse moves a hoof without your permission you must punish him by tightening your pressure on the chain, and saying “whoa.” It’s a pull and then a release on the chain, not a constant pull or a hard jerk.

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If you have read Introduction To Longe Line Training parts One and Two, you will see this is the same formula I use for most problems.

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Another thing I will do, if the horse tries to change directions without my permission is, pull his nose toward me, step toward him, and then chase his hindquarters with the whip to keep him in the intended direction. I will also tap the tip of the whip on the ground hard behind his hindquarters to reinforce the direction.

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Keep practicing the two fixes if you are having this problem, and you should establish an understanding between you and the horse. You will have to be real quick with the fix or else it will spiral out of control. Learn how to work that longe line so you don’t trip and fall during this critical phase of training.

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Longe Line Training Problem Two:

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Horse pulls on the longe line.

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If a horse pulls the longe line, thus dragging you and making the circle larger than intended, I simply pull him in toward me, hard. Then I let the tension in the line disappear again, and give him another chance. I will do this over and over until the horse learns where his boundaries are. Remember to turn with your horse and not walk with the horse as you longe. He needs to know where the end of the longe line is.

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Longe Line Training Problem Three:

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Horse keeps making the circle smaller.

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If the horse tries to cut in my circle, taking a step toward his front hoof I will point the longe whip at his shoulder and say “out”. If that doesn’t work, I will chase his hindquarters with the whip and chase him out of my space. The next time he tries to cut in the circle go back stepping toward his front hoof and pointing the longe whip at his shoulder and say “out”.

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The goal is when you say “out” your horse moves out farther on the circle. It should go from you having to chase him out with the whip, to just a step and the word “out” to just having to say the word “out” and he moves and makes a larger circle.

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Longe Line Training Problem Four:

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Horse Looks Around and Does Not Pay Attention.

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If the horse is not paying attention, keep working on his head that he looks forward or at you and no where else.  Insist that the horse stand at attention while being worked.  Just because he is not under saddle does not mean he is not training.  Use your longe line to make him look forward, and if you cannot do that from a distance, walk back to the horse and force him to look straight ahead.  Start this at the halt, and then the walk, jog, trot, lope or canter.

If you are having any other longe line problems, feel free to comment on this post, and I will try and help find a solution.

Tags: horse training, longe line, longe line training, Trouble Shooting

6 Comments to Longe Line Trouble Shooting

jessica
December 19, 2006

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Anonymous
January 12, 2007

I really appreciate how thoroughly you’ve explained longing. I have a young gelding I plan to teach to longe and your series is just what I needed! Thank you soooooo much!

I do have a couple of questions. You mentioned putting the chain of the longe line over his nose? I’m confused; he’s not wearing a halter? Can you please explain the headgear to me? I have a longe line like you suggest, webbed and with the chain.

Thanks again! Awesome article!
Dedra

Deanna
January 13, 2007

Hi Dedra,

Thanks for visiting the blog! I’m glad you appreciate it.

You do have a halter on the horse, and when you are longeing to the left, you put the chain through the left lower ring of the halter (on the side of his face) and run it over the nose, then through the lower right ring, then run it along the right side of his face, and clip it to the upper ring on the halter on the right side. It will be like a backwards “L”. When you reverse directions, and longe the horse to the right, reverse the chain. In through the lower right ring on the halter, over the nose, through the left lower ring, run the chain up his cheek and clip it on the left upper ring of the halter.

Be careful not to pinch him! Use it gently, and he won’t be afraid of the chain, just respectful of it.

Deanna

Deanna
January 13, 2007

Thanks Jessica!

I just registered the blog.

Deanna

Anonymous
January 15, 2007

Thank you, Deanna! That makes perfect sense now! I went out and bought a longe whip the other day; if it’ll ever quit raining here in Houston, I’ll get out there & start working with my Peanut! Thank you soooooo much!
Dedra

Deanna
January 15, 2007

You’re welcome Dedra. Hopefully it stops raining soon and you can try it out!

Deanna

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