Leading From A Horse

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claireelizabeth

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What length rope do you use when leading another horse off your horse.

I often take the ponies with me on just a normal lead rope but I do find when the pony gets behind or stops the rope isn't long enough but if I used a lunge line I would have too much length. Any suggestions on what works best? Also do you put the pony in a headcollar or bridle with the rope attached to the bit?

Also we just walk and trot, how do you get on cantering etc.

Thanks
 
I lead most of mine out on a rope halter and use a 12ft rope on them. However the od exception is my big mare that pulls off in front so she goes in a bridle and normal reins.

with regards cantering - mine just seem to follow voice commands and what my ride horse is doing so pretty easy
 
We always use a bridle as we go on the roads and a normal leadrope but the smallest we lead is a 14hh pony off of a 16.3hh horse.
I canter my cobs, Gypsy knows voice commands as he also drives.
 
I lead the little pony off my horse for extra exercise for her. Pony wears her bridle as she can be really strong willed and pull. I take the reins over her head and feed the outside rein through the inside bit ring as this stops the bit turning itself backwards (or forwards - depends where you are standing). Voice commands work and pony knows not to try to overtake. Horse gates can get interesting but we always seem to muddle through.
 
I ride and lead regularly and even though the lead horse is normally good as gold, I always put her in a bridle as when we canter she wants to go off in front!

I clip a normal lead rope on one ring and thread it through the other and use a rope with a knot at the end so its less easy to slip through you hand if they stop.

I couldn't imagine using a lunge line - it would get into an awful tangle!!

Because I have been doing this for so many years (and at all the yards I worked at we always took three out at a time!!) my lead horse knows when to go behind if we get to a narrow track, or to advoid the gorse etc. If on the rare occassion I do drop her she just stands dead still!! - how lucky am I!!

I often take them both for a gallop over the 100 acre field - they love it :)

Its so much more convenient to get them both exercised in one hit - I take the dogs too!!
 
I used to use a headcollar (sometimes with a bridle underneath, so the stronger option was there if I needed it) with a cotton webbing in-hand lead rein. (Not so bulky as a normal lead rope.)
 
I have been thinking about ride and leading recently as i have two and struggle for time to ride. Which would i be best to ride though my spooky one and lead my quiet one or other way round. Would i be ok to go on roads? My two on the odd moment in the field have a pop at each other but hacking are fine would i be ok riding do you think?

Sorry to hijack the post!!
 
Give it a go, could you take a friend on foot the first time in case there's a problem. It's easier than I thought, the horse I ride is a saint though, even the gates aren't too bad not had to get off yet.

It's only when the pony gets behind it gets a bit awkward, he stopped for a poo mid trot which wasn't helpful. I think it's the way forward though with 3 to exercise it's a good way to get them all in.
 
gleek said:
I have been thinking about ride and leading recently as i have two and struggle for time to ride. Which would i be best to ride though my spooky one and lead my quiet one or other way round. Would i be ok to go on roads? My two on the odd moment in the field have a pop at each other but hacking are fine would i be ok riding do you think?

Sorry to hijack the post!!
Click to expand...

I've always found it easier to ride the taller horse - if you have a spooky one, then ride that and lead the good one that will just follow. I have ridden my 16hh mare and led an almost 18hh which was a nightmare, despite the fact that he was good as gold, his head just got in the way!!!

Keep the lead horse at your knee and try not to let it get any further ahead than that and obviously always on the inside of you. When you are cantering, if the lead horse gets in front its difficult to bring it back without it steering you to one side - best to keep it back!

The absolute worst is one that stops for a poo - it jolts the lead rein right out of your hand and practically dislocates your shoulder ;)
 
I have a few routes that i can go on that we have no gates so least i dont have to worry about that! I might be brave and try this next time i ride. I am trying to get them both used to barefoot so understand the more exercise for there feet the better so really this would be ideal. As i have limited riding time. My other problem is i keep them at a field on my own my spooky one can be a pain to get on so do i hold my other one while i get (cant see this working!!) How do i do it?
 
I hold the pony while I get on, at first I'd leave the pony at the fence but with the rope just passed through the twine so I could grab him on way out but I find it easier to hold him. Getting going is the hardest bit, I have to get on then do about 4 gates once we're out it's ok.
 
I use a bridle and a webbing lead rein.

The pony I lead is really good and stays by the shoulder of the ridden horse, whatever the pace - however, I have nearly been pulled off backwards when the pony I was leading suddenly stopped for a wee!!! :eek:
 
I always lead from a bridle with reins (of a different texture to the ridden horse). Mostly Henry is then ridden one-handed, but he does understand neck-reining. I took them out with Chloe on a rope the other day (bridle was in car boot and I was too lazy to get it!) and I hated it. My lead ropes are the longer type, though. The bridle is bitless (sidepull), so the rings are too small to feed the left-rein through, so I just twist them under her jaw and re-adjust from time to time when I'm out.
 
i tried riding and leading other day not sure if i want to do it again :eek: the horse i was leading who normally walks fast was being such a slow coach and i think one arm is still longer than the other :D

but just out of interest do you think leading from a lunge cavesson would be any good?:confused:
 
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