How do you inhand lead your horse for a hack

Devonshire dumpling

Devonshire dumpling

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If you take your horse out for a hack, not mounted .... do you

a) lead out in a headcollar only

b) lead in a bridle and take reins over the head and lead with reins

c) take reins off and put leadrope through bit rings


d) adopt a different method
 
Headcollar and leadrope (or rope halter over headcollar for 1st time out after box rest). Not public roads though so no issues re: insurance :)

Gloves, hat and sturdy boots for handler is sensible :D
 
I used a head collar and lead rein, however sometimes he gets a bit excited and trots on with my clinging on to the rope, does anyone have a trick to slow him down without bridle! I want to get him more used to listening without using a bit to enforce it etc :)
 
Glad I'm not the only one who does this. Was beginning to think I was a bit of a sad old lady taking my mare for lovely long walks lol

But in answer to your question, she only wears a headcollar with a very nice long lead rope. We can go straight out of our yard and onto a bridleway. We had a nice long pootle this afternoon dodging the thunder!
 
NoltonSeaShell said:
I used a head collar and lead rein, however sometimes he gets a bit excited and trots on with my clinging on to the rope, does anyone have a trick to slow him down without bridle! I want to get him more used to listening without using a bit to enforce it etc :)
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If I get caught out with just a headcollar on and a real brute of a horse pulling me around, I wrap the leadrope around the nose too, thread back though and this gives me brakes! X
 
Dave282B said:
Sorry but i don't understand , i take my dogs for a walk on a lead and Ride the horse , why would i want to walk when i have a horse ?
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Loads of reasons. Youngster, not yet backed, rehab, rider feeling too stiff to ride, exercise for self as well as horse......
 
Oh ok Poppy I understand but would personally never do such a thing . The only time I would walk with a horse would be if it went lame whilst on a ride or a similar welfare concern
 
Dave282B said:
Oh ok Poppy I understand but would personally never do such a thing . The only time I would walk with a horse would be if it went lame whilst on a ride or a similar welfare concern
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Vets quite often recommend walking in hand to build up after injuries. I've been doing it all winter after a very serious tendon injury with my boy :)
 
Dave282B said:
Sorry but i don't understand , i take my dogs for a walk on a lead and Ride the horse , why would i want to walk when i have a horse ?
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hehe that's what I say about in hand showing :p

I tend to lead off another horse if possible and always in a bridle with reins over the head.

If I were leading J off road I just use a headcollar, wouldnt trust F without a bit, D would be fine but I'd rather have the bit if I needed it. I don't normally have any cause or inclination to, other than D who will be walked out in hand this summer as part of his general education.
 
Devonshire dumpling, I'm on my phone so I can't quote!

Thank you I didn't think of that, he's normally fine but we come back to the stables a different way last time and he got quite excited and was jogging forward and I haven't got the body strength to try and fight back but I give it a good go! Haha
 
I took my unbacked 3yr old out walking everywhere, we met bikes, lorries and allsorts of scary things.Once backed she was great to ride out didnt bat an eyelid at anything. All this year to build up after serious injury vet advised walking in hand
 
Dave282B said:
Sorry but i don't understand , i take my dogs for a walk on a lead and Ride the horse , why would i want to walk when i have a horse ?
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Sorry you didn't understand Dave! The reason is the TB mare had a huge swelling on her hip area, we buted her fora couple of days and the swelling and stiffness went completely, my daughter is taking the 12hh pony out today for a hack so I am going to lead the TB in a gentle walk to see if the muscle mass comes up again. She broke her pelvis many years ago, would rather she didn't have my weight on her while we testdrive her back end!
 
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