Wow this thread really took off! I do mine both ways, usually around bum but sometimes outside rein comes in right behind surcingle depending on how things are going. I’m no expert, though, just another aficionado. Reins are always through bottom loop or second to bottom with my mares. I also only long line in mostly empty arena or ground poles only, and of course with no other horses in ring.
For those of us who have done a lot of lunging, but never long lining, what books do you recommend? I feel like I understand the idea from your posts here, and I’m super interested. I’m also a reader and learn well that way 
Any recommendations?
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Ditto. I’m rehabbing my mare, and trying to avoid doing much trot on the lunge since I’m pretty sure that isn’t good for her stifle, but also want to be able to get her moving without riding her much until I can get the saddle fitter out. I haven’t seen anyone do long lining around here though so no one to ask for lessons. I second the request for books or videos that are recommended for learning. As well as maybe what long lines you like to use!
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I’m not too sure on books; I was taught how. That being said if your horse is level headed just go all in and try if you have a safe facility and a second handler at the head to help in case your horse doesn’t understand. Maybe the 4H manual would have a synopsis?? YouTube maybe? As for what long lines I use, some old 25’ lines/rope I have laying around from college. Sorry I’m not of more help!
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Resurrecting this older thread on purpose as I have taken in a older rescue Arabian who is 9ish or so (no papers - was part of a seizure of 38 horses a few years ago) who is lovely and never really been properly started under saddle. He was worked with and gotten on by a cowboy last August, but then put back out into the pasture and now acts like he has no idea what the process is about. I think there are some major holes there as he is a bit nervous and scooty. He lunges nicely enough at least. He was okay with long lines over his back and along his sides, but around his rump had him shooting forward. I think that is just a desensitization issue though. He’s such a sweet, lovely chap, would really like to see if I can get him confident in himself with ample ground work. I work full time so it will be a long process, but I’m good with that. Tips and exercises appreciated. Though I suspect lots of repetition and positive re-enforcement will be key.
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Start on a halter instead of the bit so if they panic they don’t tear at their mouth. Also I like to use really long lines and start them on a circle after warming up on the longe. I find the familiarity of the circle is helpful when learning about the long lines. Then you can start adding poles and transitions.
Since he’s nervous about the lines around his rump, you could stand directly behind him (out of striking distance of course) or off to a 45° angle to eliminate/decrease pressure of the line against him, then gradually move more to the side to increase the pressure once he’s better.
I know nothing about long lining but this has me interested for helping rehab a couple of our horses who need to rebuild strength.
I’ve seen a lot of different options for kits with a wide variety of price tags. What would most people recommend getting as a basic starting point? (I would of course ask our trainer to help us get started).
It depends on how you want to long line and how comfortable you are with lots of line in your hand and managing the lines.
I prefer super long lines because I like to long line on a circle often and I want the horse on as large of a circle as possible. I do bring them in to a smaller circle or sometimes walk/jog close behind them though, so in those instances there’s a lot of line in my hand. It’s taken decades to get comfortable holding that amount of line and letting it out and bringing it in without getting tangled. Pretty much every person I teach to long line struggles the most with line management. Here are the lines I use, they are each 45 feet long: https://www.statelinetack.com/item/basic-cotton-web-long-ground-driving-lines/SLT901829/. They also double as longe lines.
If you’re just going to be walking and doing minimal trotting, you can get away with shorter lines that are easier to hold. I’d buy two matching longe lines, and you can probably do 25’ or whatever the standard length is. The same warnings about longeing on small circles apply to long lining on small circles, though, so keep that in mind when looking at line length. Remember your outside line has to travel from the mouth, around the haunches, and then to your hand so it’ll be less line and a shorter circle than when you’re longeing.
If you don’t need to long line on a circle, you can buy driving lines like these: https://www.statelinetack.com/item/tough1-cotton-long-driving-lines/BOA10/. They will only allow you to walk/jog directly behind the horse or slightly off to the side of the haunches. You’ll be getting your steps in. 
I like a surcingle but you can also just run the lines through your stirrups if you tie the stirrups to the girth so they don’t pull out to the side. I long line with a saddle with young horses so they’re getting used to it. This is the surcingle I have, but I’d prefer the large ring to be where the lowest ring is: https://www.doversaddlery.com/dover-pro-training-surcingle/p/X1-3016/.
I have a training bridle without a caveson for long lining - it allows me to also have a halter on the horse and they don’t have two things over their nose. You can also just use a bridle with the reins removed.
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For long lining on a circle, I’ve found that using round rope for the “reins” goes more smoothly through the rings of the surcingle, rather than the flat webbing of lunge lines. I buy some from Home Depot and tie on some clips to make for easy on/off.
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Love love love long lining and ground driving. I think it’s incredibly underrated!
I wanted to link to this book on the archive by Philippe Karl that imo gives a great classical approach. It can be read for free with an account and it’s pretty short (if you hate reading on a screen like I do lol).
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