The weather didn't know whether to laugh or cry today so we got a bit warm and wet at the same time out long reining the two girls, Kitty and Bella. Kitty's halt and steering are both improving and she feels really independent of the other horse. I don't stop her by pulling on both reins at the same time, I just close one of my hands until she walks herself into the halt. As usual we are sticking to long reining in a Dually rather than off a bit so that she doesn't get used to a permanent weight on her mouth.
Long reining is such a great skill for horse owners and doesn't take too much to learn in the first place. It improves through practice and fine tuning. It's more about body language, intention, energy, and positioning rather than anything else. I maintain that horses do not understand any English whatsoever...
For the horses it gives them great confidence in going forward, taking direction and understanding the basic aids.
It is so much fun for both parties.
Bella was long reined out for the first time today.
