Long Reining: part 4

Hi will, this is Khalil from Jordan, been following your videos on you tube and they are great. I keep looking for new ones all the time.
just want to ask about the purpose of long reining? why not just hop on the horse and teach him how to respond to your reining from the top?

Because the horses back is very weak in the beginning and must be accustomed to the weight of a rider very gradually.  If you ride too much before the horse has developed it's top line to the point that it can carry weight by lifting it's back you may damage the horse for life.  That is how horses become sway backed.

Hi,

thanks for the clarification will.
can you do a video about the leg aids again. to show how to control the horse and lift his back at the same time.

Hi. I am confused, I thought what you are doing is called working on the double lunge, which is the step before long reining ( in-hand work on long reins with the handler positioned beside or behind the horse, depending on movements)?