Leading horse from bike/quard for fitness.

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xTrooperx

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Not sure if right area, horse currently having winter break, thinking about best way to bring back into work, would it be acceptable way to fitten by leading horse from bike/quard walking & trotting on private tracks/land so no road work. This will include hills and can be as little as 1 mile to I guess 5ish.
Other thing if doing the above how can I help horse use its body correctly not dragging herself along? Would things like a bungie help?
 
I would of recently had a baby & would have some weight to be shifted as I would probably be at her limit. She has happily walked/trotted along bike before as I was short of time getting them moved. I lead the babies off her which I think helped to naturally 'lead' from push bikes etc..
 
If working correctly is important I would long rein.

I wouldn't want be too keen to be on a bicycle personally - be far too easy to pull you over! Maybe with stabilisers ;)
 
Sounds risky to lead from a bike, I've seen it done and my heart was in my mouth as the woman clearly would have had no control if there had been a spook, I would be looking at long reigning.
 
I used to trot mine down to field from bike to save time. Would rather do it from bike than quad bike, as less potential for damage if bike pulled over on top of you.

Must be prepared to to let go of horse if nec; would not recommend trying to control startled horse whilst on bike.

Need horse well trained to voice commands, and need to be proficient at one handed cycling. Don't try to hold horse and handlebar in same hand, as could then be pulled over easily.
 
Long reining or walking/trotting the horse in hand would soon get you fit, too! An Equi ami is quite useful for this sort of thing. When fitted loosely it encourages the horse to use itself correctly without inhibiting the walk, and gives some extra control if you need it. People do successfully use one whilst long reining.

I'm rehabbing a horse at the mo, he's up to 30 mins walk in hand plus 5 minutes of trot. All with an Equi ami. I am definitely fitter than I was at the start.
 
I agree long reining is the way to go - will get you super fit and far more beneficial for your horse.

I have only ever led a horse from a quad from the field, I would certainly not want to be doing it for any distance :)
 
Used to condition unbroken horses for showing by jogging them off the back of a ute around a track. They used to enjoy it and done safely in an enclosed area (big paddock with training track, person on back of ute etc), it worked beautifully.
 
Excersising trotters !!!! This is usually a busy road with traffic travelling at 60 MPH


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He didnt have his seat belt on either!!!!
 
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I'm about to do this with my Clydesdale as she is to run in the Clydesdale race at the Boxing Day races. Just have to find a new parking spot for the harrows as I can't get horse and car past them. We have a surfaced track - almost 1km long. The place used to be a harness horse training stables.
 
I used to do this when bringing in from far away fields, with quad bike.
You need to use a lunge line so you can let it out if they spook but not let go.

It's a bit dangerous though as if they jump into the bike they might skin their legs on the wheels. Never happened with mine though.
 
I used to do this on a push bike with a pony that I was too big for to keep the weight off her. She loved it.
I spent a lot of time getting her used to it in an enclosed area & used a long lead rope in case of spooks but she was absolutely fine.
 
xTrooperx said:
Not sure if right area, horse currently having winter break, thinking about best way to bring back into work, would it be acceptable way to fitten by leading horse from bike/quard walking & trotting on private tracks/land so no road work. This will include hills and can be as little as 1 mile to I guess 5ish.
Other thing if doing the above how can I help horse use its body correctly not dragging herself along? Would things like a bungie help?
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I would do it with a bike I am afraid unless pushing the bike and leading the horse for a reason. Too many pot holes and reasons to wabble off it straight under the horses legs.
 
Patterdale said:
I used to do this when bringing in from far away fields, with quad bike.
You need to use a lunge line so you can let it out if they spook but not let go.

It's a bit dangerous though as if they jump into the bike they might skin their legs on the wheels. Never happened with mine though.
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I wouldn't worry about them if they jumped into the bike, I'm worried about me!
 
When my kids were small if OH didn't have a suitable horse to lead them from out hunting he would lead one from a quad and have another one (possibly 2) tucked in behind.
 
I have done this from a bike but would not recommend it. The horse was exceptionally well behaved, and used to doing ride and lead off another horse. It was a means to an end, but I would not do it again I don't think.

I did end up under the bike just the once. As the horse was so good he just waited until I sorted myself out and off we went again, but the risk of injury is big I would say.

I would also do work in hand. Much safer and gets you fit too!
 
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