Advice/Help on Ride and Lead

Jnhuk

Jnhuk

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Hi

I have been unsuccessfully trying to find a weekday rider for my OH's horse. I am now considering trying 'ride and lead' as I don't have the time to ride both. I have never done ride and lead before.

I am presuming you ride the more spooky horse (mine) and lead the more reliable one (my OH) or it is height related or more dominant one etc...?

Also tack arrangements - what works best? Putting normal bridle on led horse but do I keep normal reins on and if I do - do I do anything with them other than take over the head? Or do I need one of those clips that attach to each bit ring to attach a lead rope?

All advice would be welcome! Or if anyone lives Midlothian/Scottish borders who wishes to ride weekdays - PM me!

Thanks in advance for your help!
 
HI, I ride the spooky one and lead the sensible one. I just have a headpiece on with a bit attached. I have a chain to both bit rings and clip a lead rein on.

It takes a while to get used to who goes where and when etc, but they do learn. I also found using at leadrein with a knot in the end helps when they decide to go different ways!!

Give it a go, it is good fun and saves loads of time excercising.
 
20 years ago I used to work with hunters and one of the other local yards used to ride and lead on perfectly behaved horses. One day a car came round the corner to fast, didn't make it and hit both horses tragically killing one. Although it was proven in court that the driver was speeding his insurance company counter-sued sucessfully that she (rider) could not of possibly been in control of both horses. Please be very careful and maybe check with your insurance company where you stand.
 
Hmmm I do it the other way round - ride the well-behaved one and lead the spooky one. Then if I need to, I can ride with just one hand, and have the other free for naughtiness!

Also, the spooky one will be more behind and take his confidence from the sensible one.

I was terrified when I first did it, but found it far easier than I thought - even got round to cantering with them both. The most difficult bit was holding on to them both while getting on!
 
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I've done it both ways round, riding well behaved leading baby and riding fizzy leading sensible. Not much difference really.

I'd lead in bridle with a leadrope through nearer bit ring clipped onto far side bit ring.

Biggest thing I've found is keep the horse you are leading's nose near your knee. Puts their bums at such a level they are unlikely to kick each other or nip and start a fight.

I ride and lead a lot, keeps my 31 y/o relatovely fit without putting weight on her, and it allows our beginner/novice friends to join in picnic rides without being nervous!
 
I ride both ways too. My sister is away at Uni so I am looking after 2 right now - one day I will ride mine and lead hers (the more spooky one) the next day, vice versa. However, if it is windy or they are in a funny mood, I will ride the spookier one. I lead in a normal snaffle bridle with a lead rein through the nearer bit ring to the far side. It took a while for them to get used to it but now they are pretty much fine and have always got on well so thats not a problem.

However, I don't do much road work. Most of my hacks are off-road and I don't think I would be so confident with them in heavy traffic. I did it all the time in UK years ago, but I had ploddy veterans who were 100% in traffic so we never had any issues.
 
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