i may be in for a long walk!

smokey

smokey

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im moving yards on Saturday, and have decided to walk my mare to the new yard. its approx. 4 miles on a cycle track/bridleway. shes been on it numerous times ridden, but am planning to walk her in-hand. however, have now realised that the last mile or so is on a country road. I've driven it a few times in the last week or so, and it is quiet. it is narrow in places. my girl has never been on the roads before, and I wondered if its wise to chance it. wearing hi-viz, and husband driving at a safe distance from us. my alternative is a 5 mile detour! shes quite a sensible girl, and does take a telling in hand well. what would you do? chances are we'll meet two cars in the time it takes. she will walk past a moving car on the farm tracks, but theyre not travelling at any kind of speed.
 
Since after all, the first time, will always have to be first, regardless whether it is traffic proofing on real roads or something else, to me it sounds like just as good day to start going on real roads as any other day. Besides, it will be towards the end of the walk, so hopefully she's lost a little of her energy, and you know that you'll most likely will only meet a handful or less cars.

Add the info about that you plan on wearing high visibility stuff, you have OH as back up in the car, she's a sensible girl, responds well to you when in hand and that she has met cars moving in slower pace before, and in your shoes I'm quite sure that I would be giving it a try. There is no guarantees, if someone is unlucky on the wrong day, they can fall and break something whilst crossing a threshold, so of course it can go wrong, but it sounds to me as if it just as likely could go well.

That said though, it is not my horse, only you can decide.
 
going to show my husband your answer, hes convinced i'll end up under her, or in a ditch! lol. pretty much sure we'll be ok, just wanted some reassurance, thank you. think we'll both be too tired to put up a fight!
just to add, I will also wear my hat for the road part of our wee jaunt!
 
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A friend and I walked my 2 about 4 miles to their new yard, my mare was used to traffic etc but we also walked an 11.3 pony I had just got from Horseworld, pony wasn't backed and was 3years old and as far as I know had never seen traffic, the pony was totally unflappable - like you only about one mile was on the road but pony didn't bat an eyelid and I had only had her 1 month, she had been a rescue from the welsh hills ,!

Just a thought but if you can get someone to walk another horse yours knows with you it may help but to be honest I would probably just go for it, maybe with steel toe caps if poss !
 
From the scenario you've described, I'd do it, but please make sure she's got a bridle on, and you are wearing gloves, and wear your hat for the whole journey, not just the road part. Also, can you get some sort of hi-viz on her as well as you?
 
I've walked mine to new yards in the past.... it's a nice adventure! :) With regards to the road part, you could go early in the morning now that it's light - but you run the risk of some early-morning speed demon who knows the roads are quiet and may come roaring up with little impatience... OR you may not see a soul, so it's your judgment call. All the best anyway. I like the idea of your OH driving slowly behind you, that would make sure traffic probably slowed well down, especially if he puts his hazard lights on.....
 
I would go early morning, wear a pair of gloves and my hat. Also a couple of L plates for the high viz.

Your husband could do a couple of passes in his car so she gets the idea. The most dangerous part is people travelling fast and not expecting anything to be on the road at that time of the morning. Be aware of people driving in to the sun and any blind bends or tricky spots I would just jog her on in hand to get clear and in to a position that gives the driver a good chance of spotting the horse in advance.
 
You'll be fine if you wear hi-viz and have your husband there. You'll have done three miles by that point, so she will be more calm and tired. If the road was at the start when she was fresh, it may be a different story! I bet she won't bat an eyelid - don't even think about it or build it up in your head...
 
Thanks for all the encouragement, I'm probably just a bit cautious! Will be wearing steel toe caps:). Husband has a big orange flashing light on the pickup, so we can put that on, I've been known to do that at junctions if some numpties gets impatient! :D works a treat! Now I just have to worry about the midges! :rolleyes::D
 
If I'm walking a horse in hand on the road, as well as the hat/gloves/hi-vis I also carry a schooling whip. It can be useful to stop the horse barging forwards or sticking their bum into the road, but most of all I carry it at right angles to persuade passing vehicles to give us a bit more room.
 
I would ride over walking - much safer - I had assumed horse was un-backed - with steel toe caps you may get sore feet but you wont get broken toes - if unshod I probably wouldn't worry as much.

The other option is to lead from another horse if there is one you can borrow to ride and if yours leads well (or practice in advance)
 
amymay said:
Why can't you ride there?
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I have a problem with my knee which is made worse when I ride. haven't ridden her for roughly 8 months because of this. she is being broken to harness at the moment, so may long rein her along the bridle way. please don't mention broken toes, mine have just mended :) (not horse related!) this will be the furthest I've walked for 8 weeks.:D
 
Magnetic Sparrow said:
If I'm walking a horse in hand on the road, as well as the hat/gloves/hi-vis I also carry a schooling whip. It can be useful to stop the horse barging forwards or sticking their bum into the road, but most of all I carry it at right angles to persuade passing vehicles to give us a bit more room.
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thanks, yes, I will also be carrying a stick for this very purpose! when hacking I always found it useful for keeping cyclists at a safe distance!:D
 
Since you are worried, I would also take a packet of mints, so you can say well done when she behaves beautifully when a car goes by ..... it does wonders for building up their confidence!
 
There's a first time for everything I took a youngster on a quiet country road for the first time early Sunday morning high viz and Dad on hand just my luck we met 2 impatient 4x4s and 2 tractors one with big spikes on :o thankfully she was fine if a little joggy by the end.

I am sure you will be fine. :D
 
Well, I'm home, horse is in her new field. Foot perfect the whole way! Munching grass in her new field. Feet are killing me, and I'm in need of a lie down! Relieved it went well, looking forward to a nice relaxed summer, getting her in harness. Thanks for all the support and encouragement, I just needed a wee kick up the bum!
 
Great news, sounds like you deserve a rather large glass of something .... Medicinal of course for the feet.... Maybe a chilled bottle of pinot !
 
moana said:
glad it went well. How is your knee after all that walking?
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Knees a bit stiff walking upstairs, it'll be fine in a day or two. The toes however are in agony :D broke them about 8 weeks ago, and didn't really take advice, therefore they've not quite mended properly! :rolleyes:
 
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