Longline Tips
Longline ground work is one of the best means to extend your wild horses skills.
Developing voice commands for things like walk, trot, woah or halt gives the rider tools to use when mounted. This is a great time to introduce the snaffle bit.
Initially connect the long lines to the halter on each side. To make this simple the flat nylon halters with brass rings or fixtures offer the best place to attach a line. In the example the horse is fitted with a Surcingle which is just a girth that circles the entire body. It provides rings through which the lines can pass. This creates the same pressure for the horse as a mounted rider.
The alternative which works just as well is to pass the lines through the stirrups of a saddle. To reduce distractions a short cord or bungie beneath the horse will keep the stirrups from excess motion
When you have the trust of your Mustang, and you can lead him around then you are ready for the next step.
You can put a bridal with a snaffle bit on him adjusting the fit so you have a couple wrinkles on both sides of his mouth. Remove the reins for this exercise. Next put the halter back on over the bridal. Place a long lines to each side of the halter.
Then coupling verbal commands, such as (walk on, a simple cluck, or just the word walk.) With a gentle tug on the right or the left rain encouraging him to start walking.
IT TAKES AS LONG AS IT TAKES DEPENDING ON YOU AND YOUR MUSTANG. In time you will have taught him to respond to the reins, moving off to the left or the right, moving forward when you ask him to. To teach him to stop pair together the word (who, halt, or stop) at the same time pulling back on the reins using as much pressure as you need, but NOT MORE.
When his feet stop moving IMMEDIATELY RELEASE THE RAIN AS A REWARD FOR HIS STOPPING. Eventually, you will only need to say the verbal command and the horse will stop moving without pressure on the reins, again. This could take a long long time to achieve, or no time at all. After spending 70 years training, every domestic breed in America, and Mustangs, I came to the conclusion that I can train a Mustang 10 times faster and easier than any domestic breed.
Pairing the long lines with the Snaffle bit
Now you are ready to attach the long lines to the snaffle bit. By the time you have finished these steps using the halter, verbal commands, and reins hooked to the snaffle bit you will discover that your Mustang is now so well trained all you have to do is get on and ride them. These extremely smart horses will be so glad that you are going to be there leader and safely go out to explore the world.