Watch the Video Here or continue reading below!
Long lining is one of the most effective—and safest—ways to develop softness, understanding, and communication with your horse before ever getting in the saddle. Whether you’re starting a young colt, working with a hot or reactive horse, or simply refining groundwork, long lining builds a strong foundation that carries directly into riding and driving.
In this guide, Michael Gascon, The Horse Guru, walks through a first long lining session with Tito, a three-year-old Paso Fino colt, explaining the equipment, setup, philosophy, and step-by-step process behind successful long lining.
What Is Long Lining?
Understanding the Difference Between Long Lining and Ground Driving
Long lining involves working a horse from a distance using two long reins while the handler remains mostly in the center of a pen or arena. The horse travels more ground than the handler, learning to respond to left and right rein pressure without the handler being directly beside or on top of them.
Ground driving, on the other hand, happens step-for-step with the horse. The handler walks directly behind the horse, mirroring their movement. Both techniques are valuable, and Michael often switches between the two during a session to improve responsiveness and confidence.
Why Long Lining Is So Effective
Control the Head, Control the Horse
Michael’s philosophy is simple: control the head, control the horse. From the very first interaction—whether that’s putting on a halter or introducing a bit—the horse must learn how to give to pressure.
Long lining allows the horse to:
-
Learn left and right rein cues
-
Soften through the poll and body
-
Disengage the hindquarters safely
-
Figure things out without confrontation
-
Stay calm without the handler being in danger
This makes it ideal for young horses, stiff or resistant horses, and hot or explosive horses that aren’t ready to be ridden.
Equipment Needed for Long Lining
Simple, Functional, and Horse-Friendly Gear
For Tito’s first session, the setup is intentionally minimal:
-
Regular halter (type is not critical)
-
Full cheek snaffle bit
The full cheeks prevent the bit from sliding through the horse’s mouth, offering clear lateral guidance. -
Biothane long lines
Michael prefers Biothane because it’s durable, easy to clean, and long-lasting—even in mud, manure, or wet conditions. -
Saddle with stirrups (preferred over a surcingle)
Running the lines through the stirrups helps keep the outside rein positioned correctly around the horse’s hindquarters. This prevents the rein from flipping over the back or allowing the horse to turn and face the handler unexpectedly.
Setting Up the Long Lines
Safety Starts With Proper Rein Placement
Each rein is clipped to its corresponding side of the snaffle bit, then run back through the stirrups. From there, the lines travel behind the horse and lightly over the hindquarters.
At first, the lines are allowed to drag slightly, giving the horse time to feel them without pressure. Forward movement is encouraged calmly, letting the horse begin to understand rein contact.
If the horse becomes excited or speeds up:
-
The handler moves toward the center of the pen
-
The horse ends up taking far more steps than the handler
-
Speed naturally loses its appeal
Teaching Left and Right Without a Fight
Let the Horse Learn, Not Argue
One of the biggest advantages of long lining is that the handler doesn’t have to “be in the conversation.” The horse learns through consistent pressure and release, not force.
If the horse tries to rush, bolt, or get reactive:
-
The outside rein is used to guide the horse into the wall
-
Direction is changed with a calm rollback
-
Verbal cues like “Walk” are introduced early
This teaches the horse that running off doesn’t work—and that calmness brings relief.
Why Stirrup Routing Matters
Preventing Dangerous Situations
Using a saddle and stirrups keeps the outside rein low and effective. If a surcingle is used with high rings, the outside rein can slide over the horse’s back, allowing them to turn and face the handler.
A horse facing you creates risk. Long lining is designed to:
-
Keep the horse moving forward
-
Prevent confrontation
-
Maintain control of the hindquarters
Working Through Discomfort Safely
Building Confidence From Both Eyes
As the handler gradually moves closer behind the horse, some discomfort is expected. This is normal—and necessary.
Michael intentionally:
-
Switches from one side of the horse’s vision to the other
-
Moves in and out of the horse’s blind spot
-
Makes circles smaller over time
Why? Because when you ride, you’ll be sitting directly in that blind spot. The more comfortable the horse is seeing you from both eyes on the ground, the calmer they’ll be under saddle.
Long Lining for Hot, Reactive, or Aggressive Horses
A Powerful Tool for Difficult Cases
Long lining is incredibly effective for horses that:
-
Bite, strike, or crowd handlers
-
Are defensive or overly dominant
-
React aggressively when pressured
By controlling the head and maintaining contact on both reins, the horse cannot swing their hindquarters or turn to challenge the handler. Many horses labeled as “crazy” or dangerous have been successfully retrained using long lines.
Teaching the Stop and Stand
Non-Negotiable Before Riding or Driving
A horse that cannot:
-
Stop
-
Give to pressure
-
Stand quietly
…is not ready for blinders, carts, or riding.
When asking the horse to halt:
-
The handler plants their feet
-
The horse may dance, step sideways, or back up
-
The release only comes when the horse stands still
The horse quickly learns that calmness is the answer.
Encouraging Relaxation and a Low Head
Never Punish Relaxation
If the horse drops their head, licks the dirt, or relaxes:
-
Do not pull on the reins
-
Do not interrupt the moment
A lowered head equals a relaxed mind. Long lining should encourage softness, not tension.
Verbal Cues and Future Training
Preparing for Driving and Riding
During long lining and ground driving, verbal cues like walk, whoa, and stand are introduced early. These cues carry directly into:
-
Riding
-
Driving
-
Cart training
-
Blinder work
Before ever hooking a horse to a cart, they must be solid on the long lines.
Final Thoughts on Long Lining Fundamentals
Long lining is more than just groundwork—it’s a conversation. It teaches your horse how to think, how to respond, and how to find peace in pressure.
When done correctly, long lining:
-
Builds trust
-
Improves softness
-
Keeps handlers safe
-
Creates confident, rideable horses
If your horse can long line calmly, give left and right, stop, and stand—you’re building the right foundation for everything that comes next.
Get 30-day horse training for FREE—join the Horse Help Challenge now HERE!
