A handler attaches a long lead, or longe line, to the halter, and the horse moves on a circle around the handler. Longeing is an excellent way to settle down a stall-fresh horse before riding him or to exercise a horse who can't be ridden. In the UW equine reproduction program, we primarily collect semen or oocytes from horses or use them for teaching. The horses are not ridden that often so we often use longeing to exercise these horses. The longe line is usually about 25 to 30 feet long, which means the circle has a diameter about double the line's length.
Many people also use a long whip, which is no more severe than the hand using it.
In this case, the whip becomes an extension of the handler's arm, safely enabling him to reinforce a cue without placing himself in a precarious position. It's also a good idea to wear gloves to prevent a rope burn, should a horse unexpectedly pull back or whirl and go the other way. As with a lead, never tie or wrap a longe line around your body, hand, or arm in such a way that you can be fouled in the line. Longeing is best mastered when working in a round pen or smaller catch pen. We do not have this type of a setup at the UW and so will longe the animal in the stock pavillion.