Monty Roberts long lines - problem?

[ginah]

A while a go I needed to replace my bog standard long lines as the rats had got to them. I decided to get the Monty Roberts one as I assumed they would be the best for the job.

However, I've used them a couple of times now and I don't like them, in fact I think they're really dangerous.

It's the weighted ends, which are supposed to make them easier to cast out when doing round pen work, the problem is when you actually long line with them. The weighted ends turn them into bolas, which end up wrapping around my arms and legs.

I've done a fair amount of long lining, originally taught on on a five day course 9 years ago, I've long lined lots of different horses and never had this problem before. I'm now thinking of either cutting of the weighted ends or selling them on ebay and getting the normal ones again.

Has anyone else had this problem? Should I raise my concerns with the IH folk as they are endorsing these products and I personally think it is only a matter of time before someone gets really hurt!

[Yann]

I don't own a pair personally, but I've used them at various times and I didn't have a problem with them What do you do with the loose ends?

[marianne]

What's a "bola"? - not had any problems with the long lines myself.

In fact I was on a course here in France - and was completely relieved I had my IH special edition Christmas purple long-lines - so I could at least RECOGNISE them - whereas everyone else had the 'standard' black aerborn ones ;D

[Kelly Marks]

Hi Gina
That's the first time I've ever heard of this - I couldn't go back to using old skinny long lines - do you know I think it can be just what you get used to and if you give these long lines more of a chance you'll never go back. The (very slightly) heavier ends would make them less likely to get caught up not more. I remember when I went from using the Be Nice halter to the Dually I found it 'weird' at first but I'd never go back now!

[emmaandstar]

I haven't had a problem with mine but I find it easier and safer not to loop around my arms but leave the excess trailing behind me.

[potto]

I confess to having had this problem too but with all sorts of different types of reins and can't blame it on the mr long lines... infact i think one of my problems was wearing velcro boots and velcro gloves as the lines kept catching on the velcro bits..... so i would definately check out that yours are not doing that!!! The other is that having video'd myself working and got some more lessons and watched other people working with long lines i realised that i actually am very messy with lines... Not that i am saying that you are at all... but i am quite able to tie myself up in a mr line as i am with any other..... the good thing is that i find the mr ones are easier to untangle LOL!!!

[horsey123]

i also have about 3 pairs and love them

i just need some classical ones so they are shorter heather

[Catrin]

I have used my 'bog standard' ones since I got them on the five day course in 2003 and wouldn't be without them, however I have long since throw out my velcro fasten boots. In August, I got some 20 ft ones as I found longreining a 12.2 welsh pony was impossible with the long ones, especially doing cones as I found they weren't there when I turned to go through them the other way !

Are you using them shorter, or schooling a small horse that you stand near to? With 30ft ones, I don't have that much trailing on the ground but the ends make them stay where you put them, especially on windy days. They are the safest ones I've found too, as they are comfortable in your hand and won't shred them in an emergency as the older ones I had would.

[Bay Mare]

Jan 2, 2009 18:09:19 GMT 1 @horsey123 said:

i also have about 3 pairs and love them

i just need some classical ones so they are shorter heather

I've not had a problem with the MR long reins either for long reining but tend to do 'shorter' long reining these days so use the Libby's driving reins which are very good ;D

[Azrael]

I've not tried the MR ones but I can tangle myself up in any long reins ;D Fortunatly even Mia the drama queen by now just at me and waits for me to sort it out

[Kelly Marks]

We do 20 feet lines as well the only trouble is we can't make them any cheaper as they cost the same for us to buy as 30 feet (which is strange!) You do get a free Leading Leaflet with the 20 feet line though which is very, very good - well it was edited by the DG Catrin!

[donnalex]

I have some of these and I really like them!
My last set were two lunge lines for £5 each but the MR ones are well worth the extra and I am a skinflint too!
If you really cant get on with the weighted ends you could simply cut them off and seal the ends with a hot knife or sew them to stop them fraying but I would stick with them for a while before you butcher them.

[Zoe RA]

In all the years I have been using the 30ft MR long lines I have never, ever had a problem long lining with them under normal circumstances.

However, if I am long lining a small pony, I have found that they are a little harder to manage so I use shorter lines for very small ponies, and for long lining on roads and tracks.

Most people spend a reasonable amount of time getting their horse used to the feel of the lines, but how much time do they spend getting THEMSELVES used to the feel of the lines?

It is more than a good idea to get yourself thoroughly used to the feel of the lines behind you, in front of you, and around you so that you get used to the feel of them and learn how to mange them BEFORE getting the horse used to them. This will help you be ready for anything that may possibly happen. I think we all agree that horses are potentially dangerous anyway, and the addition of lines increases the risk.

[ginah]

Bolas (from Spanish bola, "ball", also known as boleadoras) are a throwing weapon similar to the surujin made of weights on the ends of interconnected cords, designed to capture animals by entangling their legs.

Well maybe it's just me then. I've been long lining regularly for the last 9 years, I always leave the lines trailing behind me,in these instances I was in a indoor school so no wind and I don't have velcro boots or gloves. The first time I used them I thought I was going to break my leg, the next time I kept my pony (14hh nf, so not teeny tiny) on a larger circle so I had less trailing and this was when they started wrapping around my arms.

I've lost trust in them now, and it's when I go against my instinct that accidents happen. One further point I don't like about them is that the clips are too big to pass through the rings of my roller so I have to use a saddle every time - very inconvenient.

I appreciate your responses but I don't think they're for me.

[pinkpony]

Not just you Gina. I trip over the MR ones too, but I think for me its because the lines I use are about 20'

When Ive had ago on peeps horses on the mr ones I alwway trip. Just because Im not very experienced I reckon with the longer long lines. And they are quite a good weight. Good for a round pen as they give the *stretch* with the right movement.