is your horse better on in hand exercise or under saddle ?

[debsflo]

reason for asking. our horse has been on box rest and in hand walk exercise. we can now start walk exercise under saddle gradually increasing by 5 mins a week. she has been quite sharp in hand so hoping she will be better under sadlle. what do you find?

 

[black_horse]

Delicia is a sharp mare and i feel safer on her back then on the ground.

 

[BethandHenry]

Henry is normally better to ride than lead, I suffered a few good kickings last time he came back from box rest, and took to wearing a body protector while leading him around!

 

[Levade]

Under saddle!!

My rescue boy had to be lightly excercised after fracturing his leg, I felt a lot safer on board as he couldn't reach me with his feet there (after you've had 16.2hh of hefty carriage horse landing with his front hooves on your shoulder, you realise that even if you do get chucked off, will probably hurt less )

You just get dragged around leading, and the horse is so much less likely to get away if you are riding. You could always have a rider and a leader if you are worried.

 

[debsflo]

i will be riding my mare who is also just coming back after a tendon injury so will be short walks to start with .daughters mare is sharp and spooky so hope she will be better ridden

 

[Spotsrock]

I under saddle. Everytime. B is good whatever. Same with the shoe and lottie is good in hand or ridden but will not lunge for love nor money without a panic. Which I take personally as in 16 years I have never belted her but it must predate me.