No real control.

Pale Rider

Pale Rider

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Just heard about someone who was trying to lead a horse using a bridle because it was difficult and they wanted more 'control'. Anyway, they've had an accident and been klonked on the shoulder. It's a myth that a bit and bridle give you control. You need a rope headcollar, a 12 foot line and respect from the horse. If you don't have all three, leave well alone.
 
Tell you what, you try my Section D with that kit and I will watch in amusement as he pisses off with you. Then I'll lead him past the same objects wtih his bridle on.

Not all solutions work all of the time - knowing that is what makes horsemen, not adherence to some guru's way of thinking.
 
I usually prefer to use a rope halter but of the traditional 'cow' variety. However I wouldn't use a 12' line. IMO, the further you are from the horse's shoulder, the greater the risk. I will agree though the horse needs to know that you know what you are doing.
 
Yes and no.

A bridle gives you more 'control' because you can easily hurt a horse who's pissing about and they usually 'respect' that and listen to what you're telling them. So a bridle definitely gives far more control for a bulshy rude horse.

However a bridle is no substitute for good manners and training. If you 'need' a bridle then you've missed some very important lessons in their training. Nobody should 'need' a bridle to lead their horse on a daily basis.

And sometimes bridles make it worse. My big youngster is trained in a halter and 12ft rope (mostly because I like their weight and feel of it) and is extremely polite and well behaved even if he occasionally gets over excite and needs reminded. He's WORSE in a bridle because if he needs a firm 'No!', the pain really upsets him and he can't concentrate on what you're saying.
 
Kallibear said:
Yes and no.

A bridle gives you more 'control' because you can easily hurt a horse who's pissing about and they usually 'respect' that and listen to what you're telling them. So a bridle definitely gives far more control for a bulshy rude horse.

However a bridle is no substitute for good manners and training. If you 'need' a bridle then you've missed some very important lessons in their training. Nobody should 'need' a bridle to lead their horse on a daily basis.

And sometimes bridles make it worse. My big youngster is trained in a halter and 12ft rope (mostly because I like their weight and feel of it) and is extremely polite and well behaved even if he occasionally gets over excite and needs reminded. He's WORSE in a bridle because if he needs a firm 'No!', the pain really upsets him and he can't concentrate on what you're saying.
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Agree wholeheartedly with this..
 
There's lots of ways to do things.
Person leading in bridle gets hurt therefore leading in bridle is wrong is simply as logical view as saying person riding horse in saddle falls off therefore never use a saddle .
 
Cookie and Ned are good in either :)

When Ned was going through his naughty "you're not going to take me out the gate" stage, head collar, bridle, rope halter, Dually...nothing was "better" and I didn't have more control using one or the other. He was throwing a strop and that was that.

But now he's fine to be lead in anything. In fact, when he escaped, I lead him home in a head collar and normal lead rope. He was foot perfect the whole way, even though we usually have a bit of a blast through those fields. Didn't get strong and listened the entire time.
 
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Pearlsasinger said:
I usually prefer to use a rope halter but of the traditional 'cow' variety. However I wouldn't use a 12' line. IMO, the further you are from the horse's shoulder, the greater the risk. I will agree though the horse needs to know that you know what you are doing.
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See, I very much dislike the cow halters. They slip, they over tighten and the leads too short to get out the way if needed. A normal horsey rope halter has the same kind of pressure but without the draw backs (plus they're easier to put on ;) )

The 12ft rope isn't really to give you distance from a horse although they are very very useful for that should the horse rear. It allows you to step back out the way of the feet without having to let go. I've used it exactly for that quite a few times when Roo first arrived as he did so love to wave his feet about in the air in excitement. Sigh.

I mostly like the 12ft rope because it's a nice weight and feel to hold. It also doesn't get wet and soggy and dirty like most lead ropes!

It's very useful for being able to step backwards and to the side to yank the head round (bit like a one rein stop) should you need to.

It allows your reactions to be a little slower if you're not paying attention (who, me?!). When a horse startles and spooks it takes them a split second to re engage their brain and stop and think about it. If they hit resistance within that time (e.g a shorter rope with a human attached to the end) they're prone to going into a panic. That little bit of extra space gives a tiny bit longer for them to think. It's very rare for a startled horse to keep struggling and pulling by that time.

I also use the end to direct and move the feet and backend about (makes a lovely whirly noise) which is the real and official reason for it's length. And for things like lifting legs and wrapping round their girth and asking them to step towards you.

And it's a god send for over excited babies to have their little paddy slightly further away!
 
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Auslander said:
I have a normal headcollar, a standard length leadrope, and respect from my horse - so I guess that's even better?
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Ah your horse is too big for you, you only think you've got control, really he's taking you for a walk you just don't know it ;)

Must be laundry day, see the judgy pants are out of the wash and being worn again.
 
A 12ft rope is a rope that is 12ft long.

Actually, I think they tend to be a little bit less than that these days, as things have gone metric.
 
I can't think of anything easier to put on than a cow halter. I agree that you have to make sure that it isn't over the horse's eye, as you do it. I have led some extremely difficult horses in cow halters, notably on a narrow path between two water courses, in the dark, daily for years. Schooling whip in one hand, halter rope in the other, senses alert. Watch the horse and be ready to divert any misbehaviour. I find that if you are close to the shoulder, you have greater control, the schooling whip also makes a good swishy noise which can move a horse forward well.
 
my horses will lead fine in anything! like you say, respect! I think that is the most important thing!

my young horse was perfect to lead until I started using a rope halter, he then learnt to rear and we discovered he had a so poll! I swapped to a dually, but the physio asked me to stop using it as his poll was still sore, so we've reverted back to a standard head collar and a bridle to get him used to it before he is backed!

but like you say, I don't think a bridle really gives you extra control?
 
Pearlsasinger said:
I usually prefer to use a rope halter but of the traditional 'cow' variety. However I wouldn't use a 12' line. IMO, the further you are from the horse's shoulder, the greater the risk. I will agree though the horse needs to know that you know what you are doing.
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The one time that I consciously lead my horse at the shoulder, some how he reared up, turned in at me, struck out and booted me in the face! so after that I always use a 12 foot rope on him! however, he's learnt to respect me now and stopped being an A hole!! but still its there just in case!!
 
Auslander said:
I have a normal headcollar, a standard length leadrope, and respect from my horse - so I guess that's even better?
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This.

I would be ashamed of myself if I routinely had to use a 12 foot rope to lead my horses.

I find that a bit of baler twine around the neck is usually quite sufficient for both my 17 handers :D

I also think it's incorrect that a bridle will never give you more control. I've taken on a few horses whose owners have failed to teach them respect, and had to lead them before I had been able to retrain them. Bridling them certainly did give me more control than a headcollar.
 
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Pale Rider said:
Just heard about someone who was trying to lead a horse using a bridle because it was difficult and they wanted more 'control'. Anyway, they've had an accident and been klonked on the shoulder. It's a myth that a bit and bridle give you control. You need a rope headcollar, a 12 foot line and respect from the horse. If you don't have all three, leave well alone.
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Nope a bridle is perfectly acceptable.
 
*whispers* mine wear chifneys when they are being plebs!
They are ex racers they understand chifney means don't mess about!

Though generally they get chucked out in head collars with ropes or bridle undone if just been ridden!
 
Agree with CPTrayes.

A well trained, known, horse will lead fine with a rope hanging loosely around the neck although I tend to use a rather mundane headcollar and lead rope. Dislike rope halters with a passion, used incorrectly and badly fitted they are a rather unkind piece of kit. The rope around the nose loosened until needed works well instead.

Bridles have their place and I'd use one for riding and leading on the roads. Doesn't mean the horse needs the extra restraint but with all the random things that can occur once in a blue moon, it's prudent to be prepared.
 
I use a head collar, clip rope, clip rope round their neck, item of clothing round their neck, just their rug, but sometimes they just follow me with nothing at all. I detest Parelli and have never done NH in my life, we just like and respect each other. Although I never knew it was a competition!
 
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