Advice / Instruction please - Riding and Leading

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Tobiano

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Hi there :)

My Curly gelding is 2 now and we have been out for walks together round the farm where I keep him. He is such a good boy! But he is about 14.2hh and weighs 500kg! Though the lady from Allen & Page gave him a 3.25 condition score so he isnt THAT fat. But anyway, I thought it would be great if I can get him to lead alongside while I ride my new(ish) boy Roo.

Now I will get some help on the ground to start with, but those of you who have done this, - how do you do it? What length lead line do you use? What kind of headcollar or is it a bridle? Do you ride with one hand and lead with the other or hold the lead line together with the reins? Does it matter what side you lead from? Etc etc etc. Never having done it before, I have no clue!

Also do you think 2 is too young to do this? And how would you start off?

All advice gratefully received.... thank you! :)
 
Sorry op I can't answer your questions but I will be following this...I am also interested in ride and lead so I can exercise both our boys at once, new boy has a paddy if left behind despite being surrounded by other horses.
 
I don't know about age as I've only done it with broken horses. I use a bridle with just a normal lead rope clipped to the bit ring on the opposite side to me then threaded through the bit ring nearest me.

I ride with the lead rope in both hands as if it was a second rein and just ride normally. My boys are very good together so this arrangement keps them pretty close and in my control. You end up with the lead horses nose by your foot. I ride so lead horse is on the inside as i have more control over quarters swinging out while ridden as I take them on the road. I trot and have cantered in stubble fields - not often as they started to race!!

First few times get someone to hand the lead rein to you once on and sorted as the knitting can get a bit muddled gettin on!!
 
I used to ride and lead with my two boys, the cob I lead started off at about two years old, just short rides around the village and progressed to longer and full hacks as he aged, very useful for exercising both when time was short. I used an in hand bridle with a coupling and a long soft lead rope from the near side so he was against the kerb for control. Lead rope passed through left hand with reins so I could shorten or take hold singularly if necessary, to right shoulder of my ridden horse held in a loop with the rope knotted at the end to stop any potential slipping through my hands! Reins loop to my left shoulder. Takes some practice but keep lead horse at knee/shoulder level otherwise it could drop behind or cross in front of you if spooked. We got so that we could trot freely with more length of rope and he would listen to voice commands very well. Practice in your paddock first to teach lead horse to keep up with you.
 
I have broken three to ride and lead now, well I haven't ridden Titchy and led off him but he will lead off my other two an I can lead them off each other!

I use a bridle and the rope through the two rings of the bit. Assuming the other one is used to leading off both sides in hand, and the one you are riding is quiet, I'd hop on and go for it. If they may fight, lead the one you will ride on the right and the one you will lead on the left. I also led them in one hand to assess for attacking each other but mine are all crabby! If they are turned out together it will be easier. Don't let the led one get past the shoulder of the one you are riding.
 
Thank you PolosMum, Bobbly and FfionWinnie. Very helpful! My 2 absolutely adore each other - if anything they will probably be kissing and cuddling all the way round rather than anything else! Must admit I will definitely need someone to help me get started as I find it hard enough mounting in any case :o
 
When ive done ride and lead it's always with a bridle and reins. Lead horse on your left, with the head by the ridden horses shoulder. I hold the ridden horses reins as normal, with the lead horses reins in my left hand also.

Practice on two older sensible horses first.
 
Yes, I have some excellent young ladies who work at the yard who are very sensible and kind and will help no end. (they could probably do it with their eyes closed but they humour the old lady!!). Good luck!
 
If you've someone on the ground why don't you get them to walk with you with another leadrope so they can take over and you can let go if it all gets a bit tricky.

Older horses that are used to hacking out together will take to it quite easily IMHO
 
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I lead a young un-backed pony off my sensible boy, they have even cantered together! she is bitted now, but still early days so i led her off a head collar with a normal length lead rope. he had never lead another horse off him before until a few months ago, but took to it no problem, helps when it is a mare he fancies! with a bit, i normally clip a lead rope on the outside (left side) ring and thread it through. always lead them on your left as if you have to get off they are on the right side to keep hold and easier to get on when no one to hand you the horse.
occasionally you may have to hold the ridden horse one handed to help control the led horse, like when the led horse decides to go to far forward or drag behind, so your horse needs to be easy to steer and control. but my friends mare who is by no means a sensible ride actually behaves better when leading something off her.
 
Let us know how you get on as I am going to start taking my daughters next steed out (2.5 yr old section A) out when daughter back at nursery and I'm not sure how smoothly that will go :D
 
I pony my youngsters. If they are only 2 or 3 years old I usually have the ponied one in a bridle (without reins) and headcollar with one leather lead shank attached to couplings on the bit, the other leather shank attached to the headcollar and it's the shank I predominantly use. I ride one handed on the riding horse's reins, the other hand is solely for the ponied horse. When the youngsters get a little older and are more used to being ponied I generally still put the bridle on (without reins) but do not attach the shank to the couplings, I only take one leather shank with me and it's attached to the headcollar. Reasoning I don't want a contact with the horse so I prefer to have the headcollar take up any contact but if the ponied horse were to get a bit above itself then all I have to do is move the shank onto the bit. I still ride one handed and use my other hand to guide the ponied horse.

With my older horses I generally just pony them in a headcollar and shank as they know the drill and always keep the pace of the ridden horse. Mine trot, canter, whatever.

As mentioned previously, never let the ponied horse go beyond your horses shoulder or you could quickly lose control of the situation.
 
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