Apologies but silly question re In Hand road work

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showpony

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Taking my Mare out tomoro ( In hand for safety reasons as havent done much road work with her at all. ) have a route in mind, its not a busy area but plenty of cyclists etc appear at the last moment! ! plan on using a head collar but am thinking I should use a lunge line instead of a lead rope in case of any hairy moments so at least I have extra length to play with if I need it. What do you suggest?
 
put a bridle on and use a lunge line for everyone's safety
if you think it unlikely you will need the bridle put it on over a headcollar and have a leadrope to the headcollar and a lunge line :)to the bit on the bridle
 
Thank you !! reckon good suggestion! She will need to walk past an allotment which has a couple of pigs so need to have full control if she " Freaks out"

jools1234 said:
put a bridle on and use a lunge line for everyone's safety
if you think it unlikely you will need the bridle put it on over a headcollar and have a leadrope to the headcollar and a lunge line :)to the bit on the bridle
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Yes, use a bridle and long lead rope; something like a cut short lunge line of about 12 foot long. Ideally, you don't want anything too long to lead from as there's a risk of it getting tangled and caught up if something happens. Last thing you want is to end up tripping over the rope! I speak from experience :rolleyes::o

Best not to lead a horse out on the road, especially a busy one, in just a heacollar.
 
I personally find a lunge line too long. You can get 9 or 10 ft leadropes (Shires make them) or leather leadreins, both of these are much better IMO. I always use gloves, take a whip and don't forget to wear some hi-viz.

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Have lots of lunge lines, will just chop half off one! got the gloves & hi viz also.

Faracat said:
I personally find a lunge line too long. You can get 9 or 10 ft leadropes (Shires make them) or leather leadreins, both of these are much better IMO. I always use gloves, take a whip and don't forget to wear some hi-viz.

100_1534.jpg
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Faracat said:
I personally find a lunge line too long. You can get 9 or 10 ft leadropes (Shires make them) or leather leadreins, both of these are much better IMO. I always use gloves, take a whip and don't forget to wear some hi-viz.

100_1534.jpg
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Please don't loop your chain like that. I've heard of horses getting their leg stuck through the loop and it never ends well.
 
If you ever go out onto the roads you should always use a bridle for the safety of everyone involved or who you're likely to meet. While your insurance might not insist on it they will refuse to pay out if it can be proved you didn't take all due care and consideration for any consequences, by only using a headcollar (whether chain over nose or not) I'm pretty sure that would amount to negligence of your duty in that respect.

Just make sure you are safe and in control at all times, even the ploddiest horse can take fright at some time and become incredibly strong.
 
Lead on the right, you want to be on the outside and make sure you wear lots of hi-viz. Gloves, hat and schooling whip to keep that bum over if necessary.
 
I would use longer than 12' but shorter than a lunge line - about 15' perhaps? have the line run through a joiner on the bit and then clip to headcollar, that way you are connected both ways....make sure your horse knows about forhand and hindquarter yields.....Have fun!
 
showpony said:
Taking my Mare out tomoro ( In hand for safety reasons as havent done much road work with her at all. ) have a route in mind, its not a busy area but plenty of cyclists etc appear at the last moment! ! plan on using a head collar but am thinking I should use a lunge line instead of a lead rope in case of any hairy moments so at least I have extra length to play with if I need it. What do you suggest?
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Please use a bridle and reins - NOT a lunge line.
 
Are you normally in control of your horse when she gets a bit excited and you are leading? I'd say, provided covered by your insurance, use what normally works for you and your horse. Introducing stuff that you don't normally use doesn't seem the best idea to me. If you decide to use a different setup to normal, why not practise a bit in a safe environment (that maybe involves some scarey things) before venturing out on the road?
 
I used to take my mare out on quiet contry lane in bridle with lunge line. For the first time I'd put a bridle on, you never know what will happen, and its always better to be over cautious than under. I hope it goes well
 
jools1234 said:
are your meaning walk against the flow of traffic?:confused:
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I personally would because then the horse will go towards the hedge if worried and not into you. You as a person are meant to walk on the right against the flow of traffic for safety; I feel very vulnerable even riding on the left of the road. When I worked down Gloucestershire everyone rode and led on the right side of the road, far safer IMHO and youngsters feel safer because you are between them and what might worry them.

ETA that I have to disagree with AmyMay; there is no way I would lead anything new to roads with just a pair of riding reins as they just aren't long enough if trouble starts. Cutting down a lunge rein is ideal and either put a knot or a loop on the end so it doesn't just slide through without a stop; have the knot/loop in your left hand nearest your palm with any over looped loosely on top of that so that in trouble it doesn't bunch up or tangle.
 
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Maesfen said:
I personally would because then the horse will go towards the hedge if worried and not into you. You as a person are meant to walk on the right against the flow of traffic for safety; I feel very vulnerable even riding on the left of the road. When I worked down Gloucestershire everyone rode and led on the right side of the road, far safer IMHO and youngsters feel safer because you are between them and what might worry them.

i would always be between the horse and the traffic:) but would be on the left of the road, so moving with the traffic as i would if riding a bike, horse or motorbike.

ETA that I have to disagree with AmyMay; there is no way I would lead anything new to roads with just a pair of riding reins as they just aren't long enough if trouble starts. Cutting down a lunge rein is ideal and either put a knot or a loop on the end so it doesn't just slide through without a stop; have the knot/loop in your left hand nearest your palm with any over looped loosely on top of that so that in trouble it doesn't bunch up or tangle.
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agree with this i would not just use reins for this very reason
 
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