FEBRUARY 2022 THE RIDER /31


Palm Partnership Training™ Building A Partnership With Your Horse Using a Longe Line and Whip for Ground Training


By Lynn Palm When working your


horse in hand, start with a sim- ple cotton longe line clipping it to the snap on the same side of the halter as you are work- ing the horse. Never use the snap at the bottom of the halter for ground training. I only use the bottom snap when I doing routine handling or leading, and only with a horse that is fully mannered and responsive to my commands. If I find that I need more


response, respect or attention from my horse, I will increase the measure of my control by changing how I attach the longe line to the halter. My next step is to put the cotton longe line through the halter ring on the side I am working on, under the horse’s chin, clipping it on the ring on the opposite side of the halter. For safety, always make sure that the button of the snap is facing outwards. It will be easier to release in case of an emer- gency. If that step does not give


me the response I need, I will pass the longe line through the halter’s lower side ring on the side I’m standing, over the nose, and snap it to the ring on the opposite side of the halter. As I mentioned before, most halter rings are not large enough to allow a longe line to pass through them. If you find this is situation, slip the longe line under the halter’s chin strap from the side you are working on, then loop it over the nosepiece before clipping it to the opposite side ring. This is exactly why I designed the Palm Partnership Training


Halter! If I find I still need even


more control, I will change from a simple longe line to the type ending in a “stud” chain. Make sure the length of the chain is long enough so that when fitted on the horse at least 5 inches of chain extends from the halter. This gives enough leverage and allows use of the chain without abrupt or delayed reactions. If the length of chain is shorter than 5 inches, it can lock against the chin or nose, preventing the lightness that I want the chain to create for me. Start with the chain fastened under the chin, as described above, progress- ing to the “longe-line-over-the- nose” step if more control is needed. Use a 3 to 4-foot dressage


whip to reinforce your voice commands. An “in-hand” whip is a valuable tool to en- courage your horse to move forward without pulling on the longe line. Whether you are working on his near (left) or off (right) side, your whip is held in the same hand that is holding the excess longe line.


Your Next Step… Before beginning any


ground training, practice using an in-hand whip properly. To use an in-hand whip as a tool for forward motion, extend your outside arm straight back behind your body. This must be done with relaxation and slowness through your shoul- der. Then through a slight twisting of your wrist, bring the whip toward the horse’s hip and touch him at the hip or the top of the hind leg (gaskin).


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There should be enough slack, be- tween your “lead” hand (nearest the horse) and the “outside” hand holding the loosely coiled excess longe line, to allow you do this movement slowly and smoothly. When the whip is pointing down- ward, it is not an active tool.


When using the whip you


want to touch your horse in the very precise area I just explained, not hit him in the flank. Otherwise


he will get con- fused or mad. Ask a friend to “stand in” for your horse and practice proper whip application, before trying it with your horse! Two common er- rors to avoid include bringing the whip down too low and using your entire arm to move it. This will cause it to touch his flank instead of his rump. The other is bringing the whip up too high and not even


touching the horse. This happens when your arm is not brought far enough behind you. Don’t put your horse through confusion while you are learning how to properly use an in-hand whip— practice first! Through the next months, I will be sharing some specific


ground training techniques and recommendations. Until then, follow your dreams, Lynn


For more information or to


schedule your own event, please call 1-800-503-2824 or visit www.lynnpalm.com.


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