2005 Long Lining Clinic with Anders Eriksson

Although long lining is a significant part of the European training system for starting young horses, it is seldom seen in America, where lunging predominates and backed horses aren’t often worked from the ground. It was therefore a treat for those present at Albion College’s Nancy G. Held Equestrian Center on September 17 and 18, 2005 to learn the fundamentals of this practice from one of its masters: Anders Eriksson, who came from Sweden to share his knowledge with students, staff members, and guests from the local equestrian community.

Grand Finale and Eriksson get acquainted.

Eriksson opened the clinic with a lecture and demonstration in which he discussed the effects that the conformation of the horse has on its performance. Using slides and video footage, he explained how to recognize a horse’s physical limitations and how to utilize that knowledge to enhance a horse’s daily training, regardless of discipline.

He also emphasized the value of long lining in overcoming some of the conformation flaws that he mentioned, as long lining builds the muscles of the back and hindquarters and enables the horse to better carry the rider. He then worked with horse and handler combinations on a one-on-one basis, helping each pair to get the feel for this new and valuable training technique.

Ratering takes the reins under Eriksson's watchful eye.	Anders Eriksson works with admissions counselor Randi Heathman's Holsteiner gelding, BB LeTour.
Equestrian center director George Halkett's Hanoverian gelding, Golden Son, served as the demonstration horse for Eriksson's techniques.	Eriksson teaches Ratering how to correctly hold the lines while working with Grand Finale.