A horse being exercised on a longe line is a common sight at most stables.  Longeing can be done as exercise for a horse that is recovering from injury and cannot be ridden, or for a young horse who has not yet been thoroughly trained.  Longeing is also useful for teaching a horse how to transition between gaits, and to listen more closely to verbal commands.  It can be beneficial for strengthening the bond between horse and trainer, can be used as a warm up or cool down exercise, and allows you to work your horse at a safe distance.

However, longeing can be damaging to your horse if done incorrectly.  Horses need to be trained for this technique in order to perform properly and safely.  Longeing horses on a short line can cause damage to their muscles and limbs, so you should always use a line that is at least thirty feet.  Also, be cautious of longeing in the same direction, as this will put undue stress on one side of the horse’s body.  This training tool can quickly become boring for your horse if used too often, so be sure to mix it up with other exercises.

Avoid longeing horses under the age of two, at least at the canter.  Cantering for long periods of time in a small circle can create too much stress for their young joints.  Young horses should only be walked or trotted.  Additionally, it is important to ensure the footing is secure, and not slippery.  A horse traveling at speed in a small circle can quickly find their feet sliding out from underneath them.

Once your horse has learned how to longe confidently, you might wish to move things up a notch by double-longeing or long lining.

A good horse trainer is worth their weight in gold.  Not only do good trainers help to improve your horse’s behavior and performance, but this will go on to improve your relationship with your horse as well.  A poor trainer can provide serious setbacks to your horse, teaching him bad habits and potentially even causing him genuine fear at routine situations.  If you are contemplating getting a trainer for your horse, get things off to a good start right away by doing your homework and hiring the right trainer for your horse.

• Look for a trainer that is experienced in dealing with what you need handled.  If you are looking to be competitive in the hunter world you’ll be looking for a very different trainer than someone with a green broke three-year-old trail horse.
• Talk to your vet, farrier, and other horse owners to find out if they can recommend anyone.  Word of mouth is always a great way to start compiling a list of potential professionals.
• Check for qualifications.  All good trainers should be able to give you information on what education they have taken to further their knowledge.
• Ask for references.  A good trainer should have clients who are willing to sing their praises.
• See if you can watch the trainer work with another horse.  If you are uncomfortable with their techniques, ask them about it afterwards.  Don’t be accusatory, simply ask your questions and evaluate their answers with regards to your comfort level.
• Trust your instinct.  Remember, this relationship is not just about your horse, but also about you.  If you don’t take a shine to the trainer, it’s probably best to find someone else.
• Have the trainer work with your horse for one session before signing a contract or sending your horse to their stable.  Watch how the trainer interacts with your horse and how your horse responds.  No trainer should ever be emotional while working with your horse, including angrily hitting or yelling at them.  Competent horse trainers are calm and quiet – just as they want the horse to be.

There are many books and websites that outline how to train your horse to do a variety of tricks, from simple to complex.  Trick training can be an excellent way to bond with your horse, and can be a useful tool to keep your horse’s mind and body exercised when he is not working.  Many riders will turn to trick training when an injury, whether to the rider or the horse, makes riding impossible.  Here are some tips to keep trick training as it should be – fun and safe for both you and your horse.

• Try using a clicker when you are trick training.  A clicker will allow you to instantly reward your horse for good behavior, and although it cannot work miracles, it can make the training process much quicker and less confusing for your horse.
• Start with simple tricks.  Although they may not be as flashy as the big tricks, mastering a series of simple tricks will help you and your horse to gain confidence through the process.  Try teaching your horse to do natural behaviors on command, such as touching an object or lifting a hoof.
• Keep your patience.  Above all, trick training should be a fun way for you and your horse to bond.  If your horse doesn’t understanding what you’re teaching, try breaking down the steps further.  For instance, if you want your horse to touch an object, start rewarding him for looking at the object, or bobbing his head towards it.
• Keep your sessions short.  This will help you and your horse to stay focused.  Boredom, impatience, and frustration have no place in training.
• Never try to force your horse to perform a trick.  Not only can this be incredibly dangerous, but it will not teach your horse to remember this trick.  All he will remember is your unpredictable behavior.
• Be wary of tricks that could be dangerous for both you and your horse, such as sitting or lying down.  Some tricks can put you in an unsafe position with your horse should he kick or become startled.  When performed incorrectly, some tricks can also cause injury to your horse.  Stay within the bounds you are comfortable with, and work your way up slowly.