The Basics of Longeing For Respect

What is this exercise?

This is a groundwork exercise to practice with your horse in order to earn your horse's respect and strengthen your bond by becoming their leader.

Why should I do this exercise?

When a horse doesn't respect you on the ground they typically also don't respect you in the saddle. Horses are a herd animal and have a natural pecking order. They establish this pecking order by moving each other's feet. By changing your body language and moving your horse's feet, in their mind you are becoming higher in the pecking order than them. Since horses are herd animals, they instinctively want a leader.

How do I do this exercise?

Our goal is to move your horse's feet forward, backward, left, and right off of your body language. Horses that respect you will respond from just a move of your hand or even from you looking where you want them to go.

Recommended Tools

• Rope Halter - a firm halter is best so they are less likely to lean against it

• Lead Rope - minimum 12'-maximum 16', creates enough space where you are less likely to get hurt but still close enough to keep their attention, recommended you use one without a snap

• Stick & String - serves as an extension of your arm, can also use a longe whip with the string taped back

Step 1

Lead your horse to the working area. Turn and face your horse. Ask him to back up by wiggling the lead rope side to side. If this is new to your horse remember to reward the slightest try. Increase the pressure by count of 1...2...3...4 until he moves one foot back, then release. Continue to ask him to back up until he is far enough away from you that you can barely touch the end of his nose with your stick and string. Don't worry if your horse doesn't back up at first. Stay calm and work on this step for as long as needed.

Step 2

Start with the lead rope in your left hand and the stick in your right. Do not coil the tail in your hand. Just leave it hanging where it barely touches the ground. Now make an "OK" with your left hand with your thumb facing towards you. This will allow the lead to slide through the loop of your hand when you send your horse out on the longe line. Point your "OK" hand to the up high to the left. Next, swing the stick with your right arm in a windmill motion. Your horse's shoulder should move first. If after asking your horse to start to the left and they don't, walk towards his shoulder and tap his neck until he moves away.

Step 3

Once you have him moving forward, only go two to three circles. The next part is tricky at first. The hand with the lead rope in it we will call the "OK hand" and the hand with the stick and string in it we will call the "stick hand". First you will grab the tail of the lead rope behind your OK hand with the stick hand. Slide the rope through your OK hand a full arm's length. Grab the rope with the OK hand and stab towards your belly. Step towards your horse's hip and swing the stick in a windmill motion. Your horse should yield their hindquarters and turn to face you.

Step 4

Once your horse yields their hindquarters be sure to reel him in close enough to pet him with the end of your stick. Then switch hands with the stick and lead rope and repeat step 2 and 3.

Tips to Remember

• Keep a steady rhythm when asking to move their shoulders

• Don't hold your arms or stick and string out when they are doing what you are asking

• Don't coil the tail of your lead rope in your hand

• Be sure to exaggerate your arm swing and your step to the hindquarters

• Be sure to not ask your horse to circle more than three times before asking for a different gait or switching directions to keep your horse focused

I hope this exercise helps you and your horse create a stronger bond. If you have any questions or curious about other exercises to earn respect from your horse feel free to reach out to me at Great Returns Stables.

-Tommy Pemberton