Flash's next lesson,long-reining!

[jet]

Yet again Flash was a star! Dave long-reined him around our paddock and then took him out on the lane where he had never been before. He was so responsive to the bit and behaved impeccably! He is so calm and took it all in his stride. Just cannot believe he has only been long-reined once before(is that right Colin?) he just seemed to know what he was doing! Here are a few pics of him complete with harness,we only have to add the blinkers in a few days and he's had it all on so far!









You can see the exercise cart on the pics we picked up today. Flash went past spooky blue covers,roller and cart and wasn't bothered by anything!

[greydales]

What a good little lad, he looks soooooo laid back about it all! Have you been mowing your fields Sue, it looks like a garden! Like the gazebo too, we've just bought one of those!

[jet]

No Gill,just mowed the paddock which we keep nice for working the ponies in!
He really is so laid back but he's got a liitle extra in the tank if needed! Lol!

That Gazebo goes up in two minutes flat Gill! Brilliant to keep out of this sun that we;ve waited months for! Lol! ;D ;D ;D ;D

[juliansteve]

He looks stunning - and seems to be taking longreining in his stride!

[kaz]

He is coming along great, you will be driving in no time at this rate !

[lancslass]

what can i say!!! he is looking fabulous sue, he REALLY suits that harness!!
what a good boy he is . dave looks so happy and relaxed with flash..........doing a fab job dave!

[mabel]

Brilliant, what a fantastic pony and he looks right at home in that harness. Can't wait to see him tomorrow.

[grace]

Brilliant.
Flash is a fantastic pony

[The Moo]

Looks so good!!! What an absolute star, he really is listening to you.
He does look good in that harness -very smart.
Now the questions....
Do you move the reins up to the saddle terrets once Flash is okay with the steering/brakes etc or do you always long rein with the reins through the tugs and leave the terrets until you actually put to?
and..
Do you have the breeching seat just sitting there or is it attached to the saddle or tugs to stop it flapping.

Glad you put these pics up, i've got my harness in the car and was going to attempt long reining tonight!

[jet]

Jo, we leave the long reins in the tugs until he's steering nicely then we'll put them in the terrets. The breeching wasn't attached but that comes next when we put the traces on. He was such a good boy that we'll probably do the tyre pulling in a couple of weeks. Firstly though we'll have to do the blinkers and see what he thinks of that! Jodie was a bit strange when she had hers on for the first time but shes a bit of a sharp pony anyway( well a lot actually!) so I think Flash will be a doddle! Touch wood!
Go on Jo,have a try,you'll have no probs with Cherry. These New Forests are very laid back too! Lol!

[The Moo]

Last time I broke a pony to harness i used half cup blinkers as I thought he might like to get a good view of things but now i seem to have accumulated another bridle with flat blinkers on I didn't know whether to use those first or not.
Have you used both and did you find any difference in the initial stages.

edited to add,- not sure about NFs being laid back, she is sensible but blooming forward, went for our first little hack at the weekend and covered the distance quicker than when i used to do it on my arab!! I'll have to long rein in trainers!

[jet]

Oooh! That'll be you doing driving trials then Jo! Against the clock!
It's funny that you mention half cup blinkers as we were only saying yesterday that I thought it would be a good idea to try them but not sure if we can have the bridle altered to accomodate them. Think I'll look into it though as it might make things easier to start with. Flash may be okay with them and not need full ones.

[The Moo]

I have a Geoff Dean bridle and had the option of flat or half cup blinkers, it is a complete 'unit' of cheek pieces, blinkers and blinker stay, you may be able to get the same from your harness people so at least if you wanted to change back for showing or something you could.

[jet]

Jo, we've got Geoff Deans Findon harness which is the rubber covered one so he may be able to do something to alter it. I'll give him a ring.