It started so well..........................

[sandy]

Long Post - sorry! I have previously posted on here about longlining my youngster on grass and his attempts to put his head down and eat! Anyway I have had success by putting grass reins on to the side of the dually (not the rings but further up) and then attaching to the D rings on the saddle.

So longlined him in the field yesterday morning and he did very well. Tried to put his head down a couple of times but, as advised on here, I was ready and kept him going.

This morning he went beautifully. I was so proud of him , I think I got a bit complacent. He went to put his head down, I didn't react quickly enough and so he managed to slip his saddle forward and reach the grass. I think this happened because a) I am using an elastic ended girth until his new one arrives which gave as he pulled and b) I hadn't done the girth up enough.

So picture me at the top of the field; little horsey munching on the grass with his saddle halfway up his neck and the longlines slowly getting in more of a tangle!

In his defence he stood while I altered his saddle and gathered up my lines (he was standing on most of them by this time). I had to take him out of the field as I was sure the same thing would happen again. So I continued our session around the yard.

If only I'd finished 30 seconds earlier. It had been a brilliant session but I decided to carry on a bit longer and well, the rest is history!

So new girth on order and hoping that YO unlocks the school sometime before British summertime begins so that I can actually do some more work with Ari!

Any advise always greatly appreciated.

[tikkatonks]

I have a similar problem with my youngster although more when I use a roller than a saddle, he seems to be very good at blowing out and I don't like doing the roller too tight. I think it may be partly his shape as he is a bit downhill at the mo. But yesterday we got charged by a loose GSD (joys of dogs on bridlepaths) and my horse put his head right down to bronc and the roller shot up his neck. Fortunately the dog then spotted another dog and decided to give that a hard time instead of me! I use sidereins pretty loosely to stop him putting his head down to eat- they work most of the time but every so often we end up with the roller up infront of his withers. Must admit I just pretend its meant to be like that and carry on til I get home ;D

Someone did suggest to me long-lining with a headshakers nosenet on so if they put their head down to eat they don't get any grass and may stop trying. Haven't tried it yet!

[sandy]

LOL @ 'Must admit I just pretend its meant to be like that and carry on til I get home'

I thought about a nosenet. He needs to learn that when working we don't stop for snacks!

[hammie]

I sympathise. Stopping for snacks is one of my main problems when longreining

[rosemaryhannah]

It is all in timing - the moment they start to nose-dive - drive them on!

[sandy]

rosemaryhannah - that's the advice I was given on the DG a little while ago. It definitely works but I think when he went for the nosedive I wasn't concentrating and being the opportunist he is................................................2nd breakfast was all around!

[rosemaryhannah]

Ah, but next time, you'll be ready - remember he is giving the whole of his work time over to thinking about grass and you'll be fine!

[hammie]

Hmm, they seem to know the minute your mind starts wandering and take advantage!

[Deleted]

well if your mind isn't on the job why should theirs be...

I think you've hit the nail on the head and now you know you'll get better at spotting the signs and preventing it

[sandy]

I certainly will! x