Learning to Longe

This valuable skill can help both you and your horse, but it needs to be done safely and effectively.

- AMANTHA TORCISE

Longeing is a crucial skill needed to exercise and train your horse in a variety of situations. Some reasons you might choose to longe instead of ride include:

• Horse is fresh and feeling full of himself
• Green horse is learning voice commands
• Vet needs to observe lameness/evaluate the horse's gait
• Equipment fit evaluation
• Horse has a rub or injury in the saddle or girth area
• Beginner is learning to ride
• Handler is short on time

THE SET UP

No matter your reason for longeing, the safety considerations are the same. Shown are examples of longeing setups with a bridle with a longeing attachment and a longeline run through one bit ring, over the poll, and clipped to the opposite bit ring. You can also use a rope halter if none of the above are available.

It’s always best to use an option that places even pressure on your horse, as opposed to using a chain or clipping a longeline to one side of the bit. If you choose to longe with the reins on the bridle, you should be sure to secure the them through the throatlatch.

Proper longeing begins with organizing the equipment appropriately. The line should be passed through the palm of your hand repetitively rather than wound around your hand. If the line were to be wrapped around your hand, you risk severe injury to your hand or fingers if the horse were to take off unexpectedly.