Correct longeing requires your complete concentration.
You must watch the horse's expression and monitor its rhythm
incessantly, so that you will know what adjustments are necessary
at each moment. For example, if the horse slides its haunches to
the outside of the circle in an attempt to stop and face you, it
is important to move to its rear end quickly. If you haven't been
paying attention, you won't notice the problem developing and
will not be able to react in time to keep the horse moving around
the circle. You will then have to take up all of the loops in the
line and start again.
Although you monitor the rhythm of the horse's haunches when
longeing, your body should not be turned toward the haunches, but
toward the horse's shoulder. This position enables your leg
toward the rear of the horse to step around your other leg as you
turn. For example, when longeing the horse counterclockwise, your
right leg steps around your pivotal left leg. When longeing a
well-trained horse, you pivotal foot will step in approximately
the same place each time, for the horse will respond properly to
the longe line and whip; but when longeing a horse that is
inexperience, you usually will not be able to remain in the
center of the circle at all times. Instead you must move toward
the haunches when necessary to motivate the horse, then move
toward the shoulder when the horse is going forward properly.
(Theoretically, by moving in front of the shoulder, you should be
able to slow you horse. But in practice, if you place yourself
too far to the front of the horse, it will stop, then turn and
move in the other direction, getting the line wrapped around its
head!)
The direction of longeing should be changed about every five
minutes, so that the animal will not have stress on its body in
one direction for too long. To change direction, place the whip
under your arm or drop it on the ground, so that it won't spook
the horse as you rewind the loops. Then, say "whoa"
until the animal stops and rewind the line, placing each loop
over the preceding one. Once you have gathered the loops all the
way to the horse, unhook the line from the far side of its head,
making sure you keep a hand on the reins once the longe line has
been removed; then thread the line again, starting from the far
side. After hooking the snap onto the bit ring, pick up the whip
and begin to longe the horse in the new direction.