Any books on how to do lead-rein?

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MagicMelon

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I'm picking up a lovely Dartmoor this coming week for my 3yo, we intend to try a few native lead-rein classes (at local agricultural shows etc.) next year. The pony is a 5yo, backed and going fine but obviously not a showmaster so I'll need to put the work in myself but I having not had a lead-rein before (the horses have always been just for me!) I wondered if there were any good books or rescouces online on how best to school them and any tips etc. to develop her into a nice little safe lead-rein? We're not into showing enough to do it properly, but I'd still like to bring her on correctly.
 
Don't know if there are any books on the subject, but it's not rocket science, get a show bridle with a chain that goes to the bit, coming down to a jointing ring, sorry, can't think what they are called, but the lead rein attaches to it, normally brass, start at the head, walking, giving voice commands, I ask for a walk on with a click of the tongue, the idea being you don't drag your pony around, but appear to work with it, with practice you gradually move back to the shoulder, being able to ask for walk, trot, or extended trot and get it, try googling LR showing, it's basically just practise, I hope others will be on to explain it better, but good luck it's great fun
 
Do you mean ridden lead rein or in hand? If the former. the advice I was given was that the pony should be trained to go beside you like a dog, the lead rein should be slack. In addition the lead rein will attach to the noseband. I spent hours schooling ours to go beside me without really using the rein and without a rider on board.
 
I'm no expert in LR showing as it's not really our thing, but AFAIA you're not to lead a lead rein show pony from the bit, the lead rein has to be attached to the noseband. For all other LR classes, jumping and gymkhana (which starts with classes for four years and under round here), you'd attach it to the bit, but I prefer to attach to the right bit ring and thread it through the left rather than use a leading chain.

Other things to note are LR show ponies must never canter and turnout is everything! If you want to do it proper you must be dolled up as if going to a wedding with an outfit which matches/complements you child's outfit. I've never bothered with this which is possibly why we've never done any good :confused: :eek: :o :D
 
The lead rein should actually be attached to the noseband.

My son's pony will read my body language and know what I what her to do. You should be at the pony's shoulder with it going freely forward just like an in-hand class really. If you watch the top people they only hold the lead in the left hand, thus leaving the right hand to steady the child should it need it.

We only compete at local level and this is what we've done in our classes. You'll walk round initially and then you'll be stopped at a corner and everyone will then do a trot round to the rear.

In the individual show, we walk out, stand up for the judge and then walk away. For trot work we do a figure of eight with a pause in the middle to show that the pony is obedient.

I lunge April and walk her out in-hand (leading from my pony) to keep her fit. I'd love a small rider to come and school her as he wants to venture into first riddens! Eeek.

And yes, turnout is important, even at local level. A hat is a must!
I hope you have lots of fun.
 
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flirtygerty said:
Don't know if there are any books on the subject, but it's not rocket science, get a show bridle with a chain that goes to the bit, coming down to a jointing ring, sorry, can't think what they are called, but the lead rein attaches to it, normally brass, start at the head, walking, giving voice commands, I ask for a walk on with a click of the tongue, the idea being you don't drag your pony around, but appear to work with it, with practice you gradually move back to the shoulder, being able to ask for walk, trot, or extended trot and get it, try googling LR showing, it's basically just practise, I hope others will be on to explain it better, but good luck it's great fun
Click to expand...

That would be inhand. Lead rein you have a plain leather lead that attaches to the noseband and noseband only. The theory is the same. The pony should go effortlessly next to you on a long lead. Walk when you walk. Trot when you jog. Stop when you stop. Whilst all the while looking like the child is doing all the work when in reality they are just looking pretty.

Up here in Scotland you cant go wrong by watching Charlie Cousins or indeed going for a lesson or two with him. I don't know how far north you are but he is doing a couple of lead rein showing clinics in feb/march time at Inchoonans Equestrian Centre just above Perth.

Very basically - get the pony movement controlled, as I said above, linked to you. Do a lot of work in side reins when child is on board so they pony learns to 'carry itself' whilst they are on to start with. But in the long run, if you can, get a small adult or good teenager to school the pony into a correct outline so it becomes natural for the pony to go that way no matter who is on board. You will need to do a lot of running as practice with the pony - again on a long lead. Lead in your left hand, your right hand stays by your side.

Teach the pony to do this from both sides so if you get asked for it in the ring (rare but has been known, including at HOYS this year) your pony will not panic. This is also useful if you have a particularly strong class and need to pull out all of the stops.

A good square halt is vital too. You can use minimal voice encouragement - whilst smiling through your teeth quietly lol! Standing patiently is also mandatory. I would suggest getting a metal topped show cane that the pony can chew on - it saves your hands, is discreet and keeps them amused. Unless the pony is the sort to go to sleep. Relaxing in the ring is fine, resting a leg is not. They don't need to stand to attention the whole time in the line up, only when required.
 
As others have said leadrein attached to noseband, pony mustn't canter but go freely beside you. Plain brown tack for M and M, tweed for rider and ideally for you - culottes are ideal, there are plenty of showing clothes websites that will give you an idea although it's often possible to pick up cheaper alternatives.
 
As above a LR pony looks to the leader for its cues, some won't move far on their own they are that drilled! Most of the training is done with no rider just hours and hours with the leader and learning to go on voice commands and body language, pony must not hinder the leader and vice versa there must be a good amount of space between them

I would recommend spectating at a few shows and watching closely
 
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