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Basic equestrian training consists mostly of circles and straight lines. Traveling in circles encourages a horse to bend and flex his body, making his movements more graceful, fluid, and balanced.

Longe training is not to be used merely as a means of tiring out a wild, resistant, or untrainable horse! This common misconception has led to ills and injury for horses and handlers.

WHAT IS A LONGE LINE?

The longe line is a long rope or rein that is used for breaking, training, and schooling horses. Generally about 30 feet long, the longe is equipped with a swiveling snap (or a shank-chain and a snap) at one end and a ring or donut grip on the other. Longe lines are available at all tack shops for $15 to $35.

HOW DOES LONGEING WORK?

The trainer clips the longe line to the halter or bridle of the horse and holds the other end. Using a longe whip, as an extension of his free hand, the trainer encourages the horse to move forward in a circle.

Essentially, a triangle is formed, with the trainer as the fulcrum. The whip (pointed behind the horse's rump to urge him onward) and the longe line become two sides, with the horse's body forming the third one. Many horses do not require a whip. (The trainer simply holds up an empty hand or swings the end of the longe line.)

After a few minutes, the trainer halts the horse, reverses the horse, and continues for the same period of time in the other direction.

FOUNDATIONAL TRAINING

Once a horse reaches an appropriate age and physical maturity (usually 2-3 years old), he will begin ground training. This process may continue for a year or more, before a rider ever attempts to climb aboard.

Longe training is only safe and suitable after a horse has learned to move forward obediently. Usually basic training begins in a round pen, before the horse is introduced to the longe.

Longeing offers an excellent means of establishing basic training, trust, and communication between horse and trainer. A young or green (untrained) horse can learn to move forward, turn, and stop on command. He learns to respond to the trainer's voice and body language and to alter his movement and posture accordingly.

Of course, the most important lesson of all, before the trainer attempts to back the horse, is "Whoa."

All this happens while the trainer's feet are firmly and safely on the ground.

A trained horse may also benefit from longe training, which helps to refine his balance, rhythm and gaits (walk, trot, and canter).

Advanced horses may graduate from the longe line to

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