Anyone gone out riding on one horse, with another loose?

madiz123

madiz123

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I have two horses that I need to exercise everyday, so to save myself some time I ride one and lead the other (they are best mates so there is no nastiness involved). However, this is a right pain when it comes to gates or when the one I am leading wants to go faster. I live on Dartmoor, and the other day I wondered what would happen if I just let her off the lead rope. She stuck close all the way till we got to the gate off the moor, even when I was trotting/cantering.

Does anyone exercise a horse in this way? I.e. loose when other horses are being ridden? Obviously I wouldn't do this when on the road, but up on a secluded bit of the moor is this ok?? Does anyone have any tips or advice for this??

N.b. they are both polo ponies so very used to being exercised from another horse!
 
It's not something I would ever consider doing. I think the risks of losing control of the horse you are riding would be higher as it would be more influenced by what the other horses is doing. Although the other horse stayed close this time I would imagine that it will soon learnt that he is loose and will therefore start testing the boundries (racing ahead, stopping to graze, trying to play etc), it would be very difficult to keep him in check if he were loose and I think it is asking for trouble tbh.

Also, what would happen if you met walkers or someone else riding?
 
I think there is a risk but you know your horses. I always take my girl out and let her off her 'lead'. I have no doubt that she would stay with me. Even with all the dartmoor ponies around she stays with me. I walk, she grazes but she always has an eye on me and if I get too far then she will run to me and if I hide she poops herself and seeks me out. If I was riding another horse and she was loose then I would be happy with that set up myself. Like others hav said I guessits risky in some ways but horse riding in itself is risky. I guess as long a you are careful and don't do it on busy roads etc then try it I say. Where bouts on dartmoor are you. That's where I am too!
 
Yes I have, I don't think I had much of a choice when 6 riding school ponies decided to wander through a kindly left open gate. I was in my early 20's and slightly fearless. Danger didn't enter my head, don't think I would do it now.
 
There is risk involved in riding as posted above... however we can limit these risks. IMHO i think it is to risky, what if 'off lead' horse was to spook and just run ? what would happen then ? likely hood is your horse and you would be taken with it or you would lose the horse.
 
Having just spent some days in Dartmoor, I definately wouldn't personally. Mainly because you just dont know if one day she might shoot off. And also, could she possibly come under attack from "wild" ponies on the moors? A stallion might feel more threatened by a loose horse than one being ridden somehow.

I've always ridden amongst my loose horses in their paddocks and never had any problems, I guess Ive been lucky none of them have ever spooked and set mine off but then again its no different to having them in a next door field in that case.
 
On your own land I would say you ca do what on earth you like, but out on public land, I think it's too dangerous. Your horse might be safe, but not everyone you meet might be!
 
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