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Joan Fry
 |  The Pueblo Chieftain

Longeing a horse has at least two benefits that many people don’t know about.

One, it teaches your horse voice cues, an underappreciated training aid.

Two, by teaching your horse to longe, you can train him to do everything that you want him to do under saddle — all three gaits, how to start, turn, reverse and stop. You can teach him to lower his head and accept the bit, and to reach farther underneath himself with his hind legs, so that the initial thrust of all his gaits comes from behind.

If a trainer tells you to “go back to the basics,” this is what she means.

Unless your horse has free run of a large pasture, he’s going to want to blow off steam before he settles down to be ridden.

More: Hoof beats: Longeing your horse

Free longeing — in other words, no longe line; just a whip — solves that little problem nicely, because if he bucks and kicks up his heels, you don’t have to worry about one of you getting tangled up in the longe line.

It is true, however, that longeing a horse can stress his legs, because sooner or later the horse will start leaning into the circle and landing unevenly as a result. But when you free longe, you won’t be using a longe line, or working him in small circles for half an hour.

If you teach your horse voice cues when you free longe him, they’ll also come in handy when you’re on his back. They’ll really come in handy if he ever gets loose.

Many horses already know two sounds: a cluck (or a kissing noise), for “go,” and “whoa.” I taught Prim, my first American Saddlebred trail horse, to come when I whistle. I’ve taught all my trail horses since then because it works.

I teach them “walk,” “trot,” “canter,” “whoa,” and “back.” It doesn’t matter what words you use. Your horse doesn’t speak English. Instead of “walk” you can say “pink.” Or “basta.”

What matters is that the word is short, and you use the same one every time. Some trainers prefer to teach loneging while the horse is trotting, and I don’t know why. If you teach the walk first, you horse already knows how to do it from being led.

So here you are in the riding ring, standing next to your horse’s shoulder on his left (or “near”) side. You’re going to lead him toward the fence, and then you’re going to ask him to turn when you reach the fence, and walk counter-clockwise alongside the fence.

First, say “walk” and take a couple of steps toward the fence. He’ll probably follow you because he’s on the other end of your leadrope. As you walk toward the fence, again ask him to “walk.” Since he already is walking, praise him with your voice in a light, caressing tone — and mean it.

Keep walking in a straight line, Don’t let your horse lag behind, where you can’t see him. Don’t let him stop or try to speed up. You make the decisions. Not him.

Just before you reach the fence, ask him to “whoa.” Since he’s facing the fence, he’ll probably stop. If he doesn’t, say “whoa” again and give the leadrope a gentle tug. That’s usually enough. 

As soon as he stops, praise him. using your voice (I tell Boo “good girl”), and stroking his neck or his face. Let him stand still for a few seconds. Most horses consider not having to do anything a reward. Then say “walk” again and complete the turn so you’re both walking along the fence line.

I would walk him around the interior of the ring, asking for a “whoa” three or four times, and then I’d end the lesson. Nearly all horses know how to lead and will do so without drama. They already know what “whoa” means, too. The only new thing is your voice. Sooner or later your horse will make the connection.

More: Hoof Beats: Essential horse stuff

The next day, I’d do more the same. But if he does exactly what I want, I’d ask him to turn left while the two of us are walking along the fence line. I’d walk him in a circle and then return to the fence.

Do that for a couple of days and make the circle a little bigger each time until you’re holding on to the very end of the leadrope.

Remember — patience, practice, and consistency. Each horse has his own personality, and learns new things at a different rate of speed than other horses. Don’t rush him. He’ll get it.

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