Lining The Horse

2023 Author: Molly Page | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-05-24 12:33

The practice of equestrian sports gives reason to consider training a horse on a lane as one of the most effective ways that lay the foundations of physical fitness and the necessary skills for a horse for further specialized training. Work on the line teaches the horse to trust a person, to his voice, teaches to understand and immediately fulfill all his requirements, develops smooth, calm movements at different gaits.

This is a great way to train a horse, which for any reason cannot be ridden (withers are knocked down, back scrapes, etc.), to calm down before the start if it is overly agitated, to practice relaxation exercises on a cavaletti, also when it jumps over obstacles, remove excess energy from a young horse, and in some cases from an old one, before starting its work under the saddle.

Work on the line is entrusted only to experienced riders, riders. Classes should be conducted under the guidance of a trainer, strictly according to an individually developed plan. All exercises should be progressively harder and short-lived, especially when working with young horses.

Lining training should be tailored to the individual characteristics of each animal. A hot, nervous horse requires special attention and patience, gentle handling. When working with sluggish horses, give commands in a voice with different intonations and apply stronger interventions to encourage the horse to move forward and livelier. If the pace of its movement slows down, the impact of the whip should be slightly increased, and then move on to a lighter one. All this must be done within short periods of time. Provided that the horse moves willingly and follows the commands given by the voice, it is necessary to praise it (by voice), and in some cases call it by commanding “to me” and stroke the neck with your hand.

During training on the lanyard, each horse becomes familiar with the "tongue" of riding developed over the years - first with the voice, then with the clicking of the tongue and, if necessary, with the whip. Applying these methods of influence alternately, you can completely subjugate a young horse. In all cases, it must be handled with great gentleness. In no case should you resort to rudeness.

Equipment

Cord - is a dense, strong braid about 5 m long and 4-5 cm wide. On one side, at the end of the braid, a leather belt with a metal buckle (preferably stainless metal) is sewn to fasten the cord to a kapsung, bridle or headband. The other end of the tape ends with a loop to hold the cord in hand.

Kaptsung is a special attachment (headband) worn on the head for working on the line. Before you start training, you need to make sure that the kaptsung is well fitted, that is, it lies high enough and does not restrict breathing, the nose bridge is well tightened and the kaptsung cannot rotate, damaging the horse's eye.

A bridle (mouthpiece headband) is used in the absence of a kapsung in most equestrian schools. In this case, the bridle can be used without a reason, if it (the headband) with a rein, then the snaffle rein (if the headband, then the mouthpiece) is thrown over the horse's neck, twisted under the head and secured with a chin strap. Fasten the cord from the bottom to the bit ring with the buckle outward, while the leather end of the cord should grip the carrying belt. In the absence of this belt, the bit rings should be connected under the horse's chin with a dense soft strap, for which the Nord should be fastened.

Related article Young Horse Dressage

The scourge is necessary to constantly induce the horse to move forward. This is a long whip that serves for the cord (trainer, athlete), as if with his elongated hand, with which he attracts the horse's attention, sets the required pace of running. As a rule, the scourge consists of a shaft (reed, bamboo or other material) 1.2-1.4 m long and its own scourge made of a woven rawhide belt about 2.5 m long. The scourge must be used with great skill, sometimes it can be replaced long whip.

Legs are essential when lining to maintain the horse's limbs, especially when jumping on obstacles. They are put on all legs, and foam rubber plates are placed under them. In some cases, you can use the feet only on the front limbs, as well as use special bandages applied to the quilted jackets. Before starting work on the line, you need to make sure that the horse is properly equipped.

As a rule, it is necessary to start training on the lane with an assistant who leads the horse in a circle on the arena (platform), holding the kapsung ring or the leather cord belt, by hand forces the horse to move forward in the right direction.