If you've ever felt like your groundwork is hitting a bit of a plateau, long reining horses can be the perfect way to spice things up while building your horse's balance and confidence. It's one of those skills that looks incredibly graceful when a pro does it, but can feel like you're wrestling an octopus when you first pick up the lines. Honestly, though, once you get the hang of the coordination, it's easily one of the most valuable tools you can have in your training kit.
The beauty of this technique is that it bridges the gap between working on the lunge and actually being in the saddle. You get to see exactly what's happening with your horse's hindquarters, their topline, and how they're accepting the bit, all without the added weight of a rider on their back. It's a literal game-changer for young horses just starting their education, but it's just as useful for older horses that need to rebuild muscle or work on technical movements like lateral work without any physical interference from above.
Why You Should Give It a Try
I've found that many people shy away from this because it looks complicated. But the benefits are just too good to ignore. For starters, long reining horses allows you to work on "straightness" in a way that lunging simply can't. When you're lunging, the horse is always on a circle, which can sometimes lead to them leaning on their inner shoulder or popping their outer shoulder out. With two lines, you have an "outside rein" just like you do when you're riding. This means you can keep them straight down a long side or help them find their balance through a corner.
It's also an incredible workout for their core. Because you aren't sitting on them, the horse can lift through their back and engage their hocks more freely. If you have a horse coming back from an injury or one that's a bit weak in the topline, this is the safest way to get those muscles firing again. Plus, it's a great way for you to get some steps in too! You'll definitely be hitting your cardio goals for the day after a good session in the arena.
The Gear You Actually Need
You don't need a mountain of expensive equipment to get started, but there are a few essentials that make life a lot easier. First off, a pair of long lines is a must. These are usually about 25 to 30 feet long. I prefer the ones that are flat webbing or soft rope; they're easier on the hands and don't get as tangled as the thin, slippery nylon ones.
Never skip the gloves. Trust me on this one. If a horse decides to spook or take a bit of a run, those lines will slide through your palms before you can blink, and rope burns are no joke. A sturdy pair of leather or high-grip riding gloves will save your skin.
You'll also need a training surcingle with plenty of rings at different heights. This gives you options for where to run the lines. If you don't have a surcingle, you can use a standard English saddle with the stirrups secured down, but a surcingle is generally more stable and keeps the lines from getting snagged on the saddle flaps. Lastly, make sure you're in an enclosed space like a round pen or a fenced arena. Trying this in an open field for the first time is just asking for a comedy of errors—or a runaway horse.
Getting Into Position
One of the trickiest parts of long reining horses is figuring out where to stand. When you start, you'll likely be in a "lunging plus" position. This means you're standing to the side of the horse, roughly level with their hip, but with lines going to both sides of the bit. This is the safest spot because you're out of the direct kicking zone but close enough to maintain clear communication.
As you and your horse get more comfortable, you can eventually move directly behind them—at a safe distance, of course. This "driving" position is great for working on straight lines and transitions. However, if your horse is the type to get a bit "busy" with their back legs, stay to the side until you're 100% sure they're relaxed with the lines touching their hindquarters and hocks.
The First Few Steps
When you first clip those lines on, take it slow. Most horses are a little suspicious of the line that runs around their rear end. It's a weird sensation for them. Start by just walking next to them with the lines loose, letting them get used to the feel of the rope flapping against their sides.
When you're ready to ask for movement, keep your contact soft. It's very easy to accidentally "pull" because you're standing on the ground, but remember that their mouth is just as sensitive as it is when you're riding. Use your voice more than your hands. A click or a "walk on" should be your primary cue, with the lines acting as the boundary and the steering.
Turning is where most people get tangled. It's all about the release. If you want to turn left, you gently shorten the left line, but you must give with the right. If you hold both too tight, the horse will just get confused and probably stop or start backing up. It's a dance of give and take.
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
We've all been there—tangled lines, a horse that won't stop circling, or accidentally standing in the wrong spot. One of the biggest mistakes when long reining horses is letting the lines slacken so much that they drop near the horse's feet. If a horse steps over a line, things can go south very quickly. Always keep a light, consistent tension so the lines stay up on the horse's frame.
Another thing to watch out for is your own body language. If you're walking directly behind the horse, make sure you aren't "chasing" them with your energy. If you lean forward and march aggressively, a sensitive horse might think you're asking for a gallop. Keep your shoulders relaxed and your pace steady.
Also, don't overdo it. Because this work is physically demanding for the horse—they're actually using their muscles properly—twenty minutes of quality long reining is worth an hour of mindless lunging. Watch for signs of fatigue, like a dipping back or tripping, and call it a day on a high note.
Taking It to the Next Level
Once you've mastered the basic walk and trot on a straight line and a circle, you can start getting fancy. This is where the real fun begins. You can start introducing lateral work like leg yields or even shoulder-in. It's incredibly cool to see your horse move sideways from the ground; it gives you a much better understanding of how their legs are crossing and where they might be stiff.
You can also use poles. Setting up a few trot poles and navigating them while long reining requires a lot of coordination from both of you. It builds the horse's confidence in placing their feet without a rider balancing for them. Some people even take it as far as small jumps or "long reining" over obstacles, which is fantastic for building a brave, independent horse.
Keeping It Fun and Safe
At the end of the day, long reining horses should be an enjoyable way to bond. It requires a lot of trust. Your horse has to trust that those ropes around their legs aren't traps, and you have to trust that they'll listen to your voice even when you aren't on their back.
If things start to feel stressful, just take a breath and go back to basics. Stop, give them a pat, and just walk a few steps together. There's no rush. Like any other skill, it takes time to develop that "feel" through the lines. But once you have it, you'll wonder how you ever managed without it. It adds so much variety to your routine and keeps the horse's mind sharp, which is just as important as their physical fitness.
So, grab a pair of lines, find a quiet corner of the arena, and give it a shot. You might find it's exactly what you and your horse have been looking for to take your training to that next level of partnership.