Has anyone used their horse for lead rein?

ownedbyaconnie

ownedbyaconnie

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Getting way ahead of myself naturally but the only thought getting me through morning sickness is the thought of pony fun with my future child!

Was wondering if anyone had used their one horse/pony as a lead rein? Did you have to “train” them or was it just a case of doing it? Has anyone used those inky dinky saddles?
 
used mine to let friends kids have a ride, just used my own saddle and shortened the stirrups, never did any training as it didnt occur to me that he would find carrying a child any different to carrying me apart from the weight...he was 16.1 so not really the best size..
 
I have always used all of mine for lead rein from tiny tots to adults who had never been on a horse before. It has always surprised me how mine have taken to it (they always appear to know that me on the ground holding a rein meant that they had to take extra care of whoever was on them).

I do always do lots of “bombproofing” with mine anyway, so they’re used to unexpected things (the time I got caught by a passing neighbour in the field in my pjs doing star jumps in front of my mare, during morning turnout probably goes down in history ?).
 
Yes, I always used all of mine as lead rein ponies for tots, disabled riders and beginners. The horses seem to know that they are carrying a precious cargo and slow down when they become unbalanced. They're incredibly generous animals.
The only exception was a particular newly backed youngster. A total sweetheart but a doughnut brain with a zest for fun and life. She took a while to grasp the concept that showing off to her mates in the field by doing fun handstands wasn't normal for ridden horses.
 
dogatemysalad said:
Yes, I always used all of mine as lead rein ponies for tots, disabled riders and beginners. The horses seem to know that they are carrying a precious cargo and slow down when they become unbalanced. They're incredibly generous animals.
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This. Mine is a bit of a twit/cheeky git when in the control of an adult, but with kids around he drops his head, goes into saint mode, and I've given a friend's kids and my cousins a spin on the lead rein. I'm always cautious of who I'd put on him off the lead though.
 
Yes, my horse (16'1 wb) became a lead rein pony and a very good one. I find they do adjust and become very quiet and careful when the small ones are around, i also had a Spanish horse when my child was small and she became a dope on a rope too.
I honesty on a bigger horse i would prefer to be able to whip the child off sharpish if i needed to so wouldnt have considered the inky dinky saddle unless it was on a small saint of a lead rein pony.
 
Although I dont and wont ever have kids I will always have Shetlands around and they just put up with whatever nonsense I throw at them.

Most will tolerate little dots on them when they aren't thumping about, screaming or pulling on the reins.
 
My connie is a walk/trot lead rein saint, Up to and including walking off lead rein close by for bending poles steering practise etc.
She’s also a darling on the ground so they can groom the bits they can reach, lead, she even holds her own feet up.
But more than that under saddle would be a no.
I’ve spent so much effort sharpening up the lazy creature!
She’d either be much too reactive without experienced riding or realise her luck and grind to a halt and I’d spend months trying to get her off the leg again!
 
P.forpony said:
My connie is a walk/trot lead rein saint, Up to and including walking off lead rein close by for bending poles steering practise etc.
She’s also a darling on the ground so they can groom the bits they can reach, lead, she even holds her own feet up.
But more than that under saddle would be a no.
I’ve spent so much effort sharpening up the lazy creature!
She’d either be much too reactive without experienced riding or realise her luck and grind to a halt and I’d spend months trying to get her off the leg again!
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I think mine would be the same. She’s genuine and never nasty but if she knows she can get away with something she will! But I think she will be perfect for tiny tot to walk around on for little lead rein classes. Then I can start looking for a proper little pony when they’re a bit older. Ive spent too much time and money on my pony to let someone else enjoy it, even if that person is my child ?
 
ownedbyaconnie said:
I think mine would be the same. She’s genuine and never nasty but if she knows she can get away with something she will! But I think she will be perfect for tiny tot to walk around on for little lead rein classes. Then I can start looking for a proper little pony when they’re a bit older. Ive spent too much time and money on my pony to let someone else enjoy it, even if that person is my child ?
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Exactly!
Just poop them on for walks until they (tiny human) get stroppy because they want to do more ‘by myself mummy!’
Thats when the Shetland shopping starts! ?
 
Charlie Horse was almost 17hh, but was much used both on and off the lead rein for kids who has lost confidence.

However, they were at the robust stage, 6 yrs upwards. It makes me cringe a bit when I see really little tots, heads wobbling, on bigger horses (or small one come to that).
 
Coolie is 15.2 and will be our lead rein pony. He thinks its the perfect job because he doesn't have to work hard, and I know he will listen to me always. He will not move unless I tell him to, no matter what a small child is doing up top. A proper pony will come along when required, should bump show enough interest!
 
when I was just starting out, my little 3 year old self did leadline classes at local competitions on a horse that I shared with a girl that did up to 1.20 meter show jumping. later when I was 9, i got to ride her at my old barn, and omg, that horse was strong! She bucked me off twice in 1 hour and later that year, I heard she reared and fell backwards on her rider! I think horses change when they realize who is on them!
 
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