Long Lining Introduction — Ground Driving for Steering and Balance

What Long Lining Teaches

Long lining involves running two long reins from the bit or surcingle, one on each side, while the handler walks behind or to the side of the horse. This gives the horse the experience of bit pressure from both reins simultaneously, teaches it to move forward into contact and respond to steering cues, and develops the muscle memory for stopping, turning, and moving straight — all before a rider ever sits on its back.

For a young horse, long lining is the bridge between groundwork and riding. A horse that has been thoroughly long lined understands rein pressure, has learned to carry itself in some degree of balance, and has experienced steering from behind — the same direction rein pressure comes from when a rider is in the saddle. The transition to riding for a long-lined horse is dramatically smoother than for a horse that goes directly from lungeing to a rider.

Equipment Setup

You need two long lines of at least 20–25 feet each, a surcingle or saddle with rings to run the lines through, and a bit or bosal appropriate to the horse's stage of training. The lines run from the handler's hands, through the lower rings on the surcingle (to keep them at the level of the horse's sides), and attach to the bit. The handler begins close to the horse and gradually works back as the horse becomes confident with the lines around its hindquarters and legs.

The first session is typically spent simply introducing the feel of lines around the horse's body and hindquarters. Most horses that have been desensitized and ground-worked will accept this quickly. Take the time to get the horse completely comfortable with the lines touching its legs, belly, and hindquarters before attempting any movement. Rushing this stage creates horses that kick at the lines or panic when they feel pressure from behind.

First Exercises

Begin with straight-line walking, asking the horse to move forward from a light clucking sound and maintain a steady walk down the arena fence. Use the reins to ask for gentle turns and halts. The horse should respond to rein pressure with the same softness it shows on the halter — if it does not, return to groundwork until the lateral and longitudinal responsiveness is confirmed. Progress to large circles, then tighter turns, then transitions between walk and trot. A horse that can be long lined at the trot, both directions, with accurate steering and balanced halts is a horse that is genuinely ready for its first ride.

Long Lining for Older Horses

Long lining is not only for young horses. Horses recovering from injury, horses being restarted after problems, or horses being introduced to a new bit all benefit enormously from long lining sessions. It allows the trainer to observe the horse's movement from behind — the same perspective the rider has — and to address any stiffness, crookedness, or resistance in the rein before climbing on. Many accomplished trainers include periodic long lining sessions throughout a horse's career as a suppling and correctional tool.

Watch & Learn

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Introduction to Long Lining and Ground Driving — Sean Davies

Coloradoreinsman

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How to Set Up Your Horse for Long Lining — Equipment and Method

Equine Education

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Dan Steers: Introduction to Long Reining Part 1

Wehorse