Leading another horse hacking out

D

DougalJ

Well-Known Member
Joined
27 April 2008
Messages
603
Location
South
Visit site
I want to lead off a forward going but semi retired arab mare when hacking out. Ive never done it on my own before and concerned about traffic on narrow lanes etc. I have a slower warmblood and the mare is very forward going and loves to be in front. Any tips?
 
My only tip would be .............not to do it unless you have to! I just dont see how one person can control 2 different horses at the same time when something happens, and with the traffic and narrow lanes, I just wouldnt take the risk....

I also dont know what the liability position would be if there was an accident. Dont get me wrong, hopefully it wouldnt be any different, but it would worry me.

If I was going to start doing it I would have someone walking with me as an escort ready to grab the led horse and take charge of it in an emergency. It that were possible the first few times it would give you a backup.

I know some people do it all the time, so def do it if you are comfortable, tho I think more with horses that have been introduced to it early on so are used to it.

Good luck if you do decide to give it a whirl!
 
I have to ride and lead all winter. My tips are
ride the most difficult one
-lead with bit, bridle and put lead rope through bit and
tie knot in end of lead rope so if lead horse decides to pee off have a knot to hold!!!
-hold rope correct not looping around hand (ie like ridding with double riens)
-always have lead horse on inside
-don't let lead horse get pass ridden horse, best position is lead horse's head by your knee
-look like hi-viz queen
-can you find friend to nanny you out for first time
 
Keep your lead horse on your left, so your ride horse is between her and the traffic (you'll have more control over the horse you're riding).

Practice controlling your ride horse with one hand in the school, to make sure you can stop and turn safely, then introduce riding and leading in a safe environment before taking them out on the roads.

Lead her in a bridle to start with, to give you extra control - you'll develop good arm and shoulder muscles if she's strong!! Keep your lead rope fairly short, and make sure you have a contact at all times (nothing worse than a loose rope slipping under your foot and then your lead horse pulling back!). Stay in walk, and only attempt trot or canter if you're 100% certain you're safe (not that I'm suggesting you might canter on the road).

Legally, you're allowed to ride two abreast on the road, and ride and lead is covered in BHS Stage 3, so I'm sure from a legal/liability point of view, you should be ok.

Sorry this is long, got loads of experience with ride and lead after 10 years in polo. PM me if you need more specific advice.
 
I ride and lead everyday, sometimes leading two horses as do most of the hunts yards round here who go out in strings of three (3 riders/9horses).

My two are good as gold and completely used to it although I do always put the lead horse in a bridle and thread a lead rope through the bit rings. I can do gates, put the lead horse behind me if a car comes or on a narrow track and I can give them both a good blast together across the moor.

There just isn't enough hours in the day to exercise each horse individually.
 
All as above, start in the school and then maybe an enclosed field - I did this with my baby. Once I knew he was capable of stopping properly, standing nicely and above all, turning I rode my old clydie out and led him.

I personally prefer to ride the steadiest one as I have found the lively ones are actually quieter when led, but this is my own experience and may not be the same as others. I don't ride busy roads, but will do quiet ones.

I have with mine in the past even been round the XC course popping a few fences, but they were our old clydie and my previous gypsy cob mare, both voice trained and knew to stay together and stop on a "whoa"! Chancer learnt to canter on a very quiet and wide bridleway led off Cairo.
 
OMG! I was just about to post this very question! I have my two who I have had since I was a young teenager. I still ride Domi (in my avatar) but I am bringing the retired 31 year old arab x mare to the livery yard where I keep Domi next week. I used to do ride and lead with them both as a teenager, but have not had reason to do it since and was wondering if anyone had any tips!

I will need to exercise 3 ponies most days so I really cant take them all out individually! My concern is getting through the horse stiles on the bridleways. Im going to re-introduce them to it in the schooling paddock initially, then ride on fields and bridleways.

I also wondered if it was still legal, good to know it is!!
 
I ride and lead too. The horse I ride is very forward going but the led horse just jogs along if necessary to keep up.
 
Don't meet the hunt! It's not pretty!

But otherwise you should be fine if they are both fairly sensible, I don't know what I would do without it and I only have 3.
 
Thanks for all your advice! I think Ill have a practice run with her using all your tips. Ive seen quite a few riders leading off when Im out hacking and they seem to make it look so easy! Its just would be a time saver in leading her out. Reply to Sunny_Ways - yes it would be very messy!!
 
One final word of advice. Watch out for road signs. New to the experience, I once rode one horse one side of a 40mph sign and didn't notice the one I was leading had gone the other side. All of a sudden, your arm is torn out of its socket and you are dragged OFF the horse you are riding. On a busy road the consequences could be disastrous.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top