Longeing Your Horse

Longeing Horses

Be sure to longe your horse with the right equipment, splint boots with bell boots and wraps, a properly fitted halter, a lightweight longe whip and a longe line. Boots will protect horse’s legs from injury if they happen to have an over reach. The longe whip by the way, is used as an aid only, and not your primary training tool.

Try to longe your horse in a round pen or an enclosed area of an arena. Make sure you are working your horse on flat, level ground. Remember the goal is to keep control of your horse at all times, so don't try this in an area without fencing. If working your horse in an open arena, close the arena doors. Horse’s can and will get away from you.

When you start longeing your horse, always start your horse in one direction and stay with it for the first part of the workout. You can change directions after your horse works in one direction for a while. If you choose to work your horse to the left, then always hold your lead in the left hand with excess line in your right (and your whip as well, if you choose to use one) and keep all body positions the same. Start your horse to the left, pointing to the left, leading the horse's nose to the left and moving your feet as you swing your rope end (or lift the whip) towards the horses hip to ask him for forward movement. If your horse continues to face you, guide him forward by swinging your rope or reaching with your whip toward his shoulder to get him to move forward.

Once your horse is moving in a circle to the left, turn your feet with him. Stay in the middle of the round pen with sufficient rope between you and your horse. Do not allow your longe line to become too slack causing it to drag on the ground, this could cause your horse to entangle himself. Keep your whip low or your rope end low and move quietly. You want to teach your horse that if your feet are moving, his feet need to be moving. Keep the position of your body behind his withers to ensure your horses’ forward movement. If you get in front of the withers, your horse will stop, or may turn to the opposite direction.

If you experience problems longeing your horse, find another experienced equine owner to help teach you the proper technique.

We welcome your comments, personal experiences, or helpful suggestions for all of our readers.

Thanks for reading.

Have a great day with your horse!

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