Horse Riding Philippines: February 2015

"Don't bribe 'em with carrots, don't hit 'em with a stick. Find the middle of the road." (image via pixabay-tournament-horse379032)

Yana tried her hands at longeing last summer at MEC (Marikina Equestrian Center). She rides here. Needless to say, it was not as easy as it seems. Though she has her horsemanship manuals to refer to, “Longeing” is a skill. It takes time and passion to master correct longeing. The manual devotes a whole chapter into it! That means it’s important and covers a lot of Do's and Don'ts. Carlos, the center's head groom, coached Yana in her interest.

Next time you ask someone to longe your horse, make sure he knows what he’s doing. Really.

Yana with Miller of MEC - Learning to longe a horse. (Horse Riding Philippines)

Longeing is part of ground training. Good ground training teaches obedience, respect, trust, and cooperation. It helps to establish a good working relationship between the trainer and horse. It can improve the horse’s movement. It can help develop his muscles correctly. It can also affect his attitude and behavior under saddle as well as in the stable.Before a horse can be trained to longe, he must first be properly trained to: (1) to lead, (2) to stand still when asked to and, (3) respond to simple signals and voice commands

Longeing a horse requires training. (Horse Riding Philippines)

Foals should not be longed. They are especially vulnerable to neck injuries if pulled violently sideways.
Yearlings can be longed at slow gaits for short periods. But must not be over-stressed. Two-year-olds (and some yearlings) have nearly reached an adult weight. But their bones and joints are still immature.
They are also more easily over-stressed mentally by too long or demanding sessions. They can be longed lightly, but it is better to vary the training program. Work with hand, free longeing, and ground driving, instead of daily longeing.

Longeing. Yana tries to put into practice what she reads for the first time. (Horse Riding Philippines)

Longeing puts lateral stress on a horse’s legs and joints. And this increases with speed and smaller circles. Young horses’ immature bones and joints are especially vulnerable to injury. This may be from too much or incorrect longeing, or from accidents if the horse acts up. Always use protective boots on all four legs when longeing young horses. Keep training sessions short.
Good horsemanship and successful training need correct and consistent handling at all times. (cf: US Pony Club Manual of Horsemanship 3)