Horse Training: Using Long Lines

The goal of this session is to get Bonnie to respond to the pressure of the bit in her mouth without pain, without fear, and to set the foundation for all other mounted training to follow. She must learn to stop, turn, and back before she will be ridden. We only ask for one step back, just to encourage her to give to the bit.

A very light touch in used, no pulling. Gentle taps on the reins are as much pressure as we need. When Bonnie responds with the requested task, we ease up pressure on the bit immediately as a reward. Gentle hands make a good, responsive horse. Please remember that. This is not a battle of wills, but a learning session for both you and your horse.

Bonnie was first walked around the arena with no pressure on the lines just to get her used to having them on her hocks. Mares may be touchy about this more so than males, take time with your horse. If she kicks at the lines don't worry about it and don't get excited. Just keep going and she will get used to it.

Here she is just walking in a relaxed manner with the lines on her hocks. Bonnie was not troubled by them at all. In this very first lesson she did buck when released after the saddle was cinched, but she only bucked a few times and it was over. She made no attempt to buck when I got on her. Everette has a line in each hand. It does take some practice to not get your feet tangled, so take care, we don't want any injuries. You can take up the end of the lines in a coil in your hand. Everette just doesn't happen to do it that way. He has started every one of our horses in this way.

Here Everette is getting Bonnie to take a turn to the left. You can see how the right rein is relaxed and the left one is showing tension. He is gently tapping on the left line, which in turn gently taps on the bars of her mouth. Bonnie left this lesson with NO abrasions in her mouth, on her gums or wearing on the corners of her mouth.