FEI Dressage Trainer Kari Garber Brings the Art of Long Lining to a New Level

Florida based Kari Garber has invested her life’s work in Dressage which includes a special niche: preserving the classical art of long lining, as influenced by her trainer and mentor, international Dressage trainer and Judge Bo Jenå. The Garber Jenå Long Lining System is recognized internationally and is a popular attraction for clinics, symposiums and forums. At her own facility near Wellington, Finesse Farm, Garber can train both horse and rider individually giving those in a pressure packed competitive environment the edge that is needed. “Just one of the gratifying results about this work,” Garber told DressageDaily, “Is that top High Performance riders are impressed with our work, and keep coming back for more!” A USDF Bronze and Silver medalist, Kari also is a rider member of Dressyringen, the Swedish equivalent of USDF gold. Garber honed the skill of long lining as both a student and business partner with European master Bo Jenå, head trainer for the prestigious Flyinge, the National Stud of Sweden, who is also a well respected international Dressage judge.

“I have worked with Kari Garber for many years. She is very focused and has a superb work ethic.” Jenå told DressageDaily. “Kari has very good feel for long lining horses, and I have enjoyed working with her from the very beginning. She also has a good eye for conformation and movement, and the talent to use that to develop the training program for each horse.”

About Long Lining
Long lining is good for all horses at all levels of training. It helps horses to develop necessary muscling for various levels of training and also for other disciplines besides dressage. Long lining expert Kari Garber has long lined various sizes and breeds of horses in the many clinics she gives throughout the country. The horse learns to use its own body in a more self-sufficient way without the added weight and interference of a rider’s body. The horse, as a result, focuses on its own body and balance, making the horse easier to ride.

“Kari’s solid foundation in good correct basics is the basis for her success in training horses and teaching clients.” comments her trainer and partner Swedish Long Lining master, Bo Jenå. “She has a very positive approach which you can see in the horses that she trains and the clients that she teaches.”

Since all good training is communication, long lining is a way to communicate very clearly what is asked of the horse’s body. The trainer is able to instantly see the results, and immediately respond. Unlike lunging in side reins, long lining allows adjustability of connection as you go, just like riding. “The horses Kari trains are correctly muscled and happy in their work,” Jenå added, “and the clients are also happy and confident as they learn and become better.”

By watching the horse from the ground, the trainer is able to see the way that the horse uses its body, assessing whether it is moving correctly, and make any necessary corrections to the path of travel of limbs or balance of body mass. Even better, the horse is doing the majority of the work while the trainer gets to watch the horse do most of the sweating!

“She is a talented rider, trainer, and teacher, “Jenå added, “and I know that she will continue to enjoy much success in her work.” What is unique to the Garber Jenå Long Lining System is a high quality design for just this purpose with materials used including leather long lines designed to mimic the weight and feel of a good pair of dressage reins. This allows the work to translate more easily to work under saddle for both horse and client. Also unique to their system is their signature outrigger attachment which they use to achieve true bend in the long lines which is not possible with other methods.

To be optimally successful, it is very important to have the proper equipment, which is why Garber and Jenå invested so much time and effort into designing and producing their own equipment. “You should never use a lunging surcingle and lunge lines for long lining. It is dangerous to the horse.” Even more important is having proper instruction in using our system. Only Garber and Jenå are qualified as experts to teach their method of long lining. If you really want to learn, you should have the proper equipment and learn from a real expert.

“One of the most beneficial things is teaching horses the piaffe in the long lines because it is such a non-threatening way to introduce it without the weight of the rider.” Garber explains. “It can be playful and fun, and horses really enjoy when they give the right answer and their body feels good doing it with ease. Piaffe is a huge building block that can be used in training a horse through the levels. I like to introduce it early on, and use it to help the horse understand the job of the hind end.”

Even more elementary and important is using long lining to develop correct connection. It is a great way to warm up your horse and have a more enjoyable and productive ride. Training with Kari Garber gives you the understanding, tools, and the confidence to make long lining part of your vocabulary with your horse.

Based at her Finesse Farm, a 20 stall, full-service dressage training facility which includes a grass arena specially designed for Long Lining where she quietly uses her “art” as a strong component of training horses and riders to FEI.

Garber, along with her trainer and mentor Bo Jenå, designed and produced the only signature long lining equipment in the world. They use their system to teach their method and are keeping the art of training horses in long lines alive.
You may visit the website www.finessefarm.com, email info@finessefarm.com or call Kari at 561-635-8787 to book a clinic in your area.