Beginning Longe Line Training Using a Go Forward Cue

Many owners have issues teaching their horses to longe properly. Does your horse just look at you as you ask them again and again to go out and work on a longe line around you? When training horses we need to break things down into the simplest steps possible. The cue your horse needs to learn is to simply, "Go forward."

Go Forward Cue

The 'go forward' cue asks your horse to move his hooves forward. The cue does not ask your horse to come to you or go away from you. The cue simply means, "move your feet forward."

Teaching any exercise is easier if your horse understands a general verbal cue to 'move'. I use a clicking sound to request movement. Other aids tell the horse what to move, clicking alone just means 'move'.

Proper Longing Position

The first thing your horse must do is learn to stand still. Once he is standing still you will move to the longing position. Stand on the near side of your horse (the left) and face his ribcage. Begin about three to four feet away from your horse's side. Your horse should be standing straight looking to your left.

One of the mistakes made by owners trying to get their horse to move away from them is putting pressure on the lead rope. Pressure on the lead will usually draw your horse to you, taking him out of the proper position to longe. If you find yourself adding pressure to the lead rope you are not doing this exercise properly.

Do not give your horse a cue to move until you are both in the proper position. If your horse moves his feet, put them back where they belong. Don't adjust your position; you must correct his position.

If you let your horse dictate who stands where, he is now training you.

Teaching the Go Forward Cue

Use a rope halter and long lead rope. Hold the lead rope in your left hand.

Have a training stick or short sturdy whip (four to five feet long) in your right hand.

Stand in longing position, point and look to the left, arm up and give your horse the verbal cue to move.

Use Steady Rhythm

If your horse doesn't move forward from your direction and verbal cue (and he probably won't right away), tap the air above his withers with your training stick using a slow steady rhythm. If four to six taps don't encourage your horse to move forward begin to tap your horse on the back right behind the withers. Do not change your rhythm. Begin tapping lightly and gradually increase the pressure until your horse moves just one hoof forward.

Stop and reward your horse. Stroke his back with your stick to remind him that you are the one who gave the cue, not the stick.

Repeat on both sides until your horse moves forward politely as soon as you ask him to. As you progress ask him to continue moving forward. Add additional strides as you both build confidence in the exercise.

If you do this precisely your horse will begin to understand that the only correct answer is to move forward and to continue moving forward until you ask him to stop. Be sure and teach the cue on both sides of your horse.

If your horse backs away from you just back with him - and continue the rhythmic tapping on his shoulder. Don't escalate, don't pull, just continue to tap. The instant he moves one hoof forward from wherever he backed to, quit and reward him.

Begin again.

From "Go Forward" to Longing

Once your horse has mastered the go forward cue you simply ask him to go forward more. You point, click, and your horse moves forward.

The quality of life depends on the quality of your relationships. Author and speaker, Lynn Baber, writes about Simple Truth and Simple Faith, helping others learn to replace fear with faith. Before Lynn earned National and World Championship titles as a breeder and trainer in the horse industry she was a business consultant and motivational speaker. Visit http://www.LynnBaber.net for articles, books, and resources to increase your personal success and happiness.