No real control.

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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surely if you have respect from the horse there is no need for gadgets such as a rope head collar and 12ft line? disappointed in you PR!!
 
Skib said:
But there are some of us on H&H who began riding late in life and paid for lessons in how to lead?

Only free from ideology. I was taught to lead according to the situation.

First lesson was BHS Stage 1 stable managment, trotting up for vet. Normal webbing collar, short rope. Post Kelly Marks (How to Behave) I knew this mare would follow my actions but was terrified. I might stumble. I was too old to run.
Second school - Leading on the road, with bridle and reins - you need a schooling whip in hand in case you need to keep horse's rear end from sliding sideways into traffic.
With a 12 ft rope and rope head collar, one can lead out to grass (graze in hand) more easily and dont need a whip because you use the end of the 12 ft rope to control the quarters instead. 12 ft allows horse to graze for an hour and you to do crossword.
And yes can now can claim brownie points for teaching horses to lead in a rope head collar with a 12 ft rope. So I arranged for my OH to be taught to do that too.
Surprise - Instead he was taught using bit and bridle and whip - He never goes near a horse unless he is going to ride.

PS The very frightening BHS lesson in trotting up came in useful. Years later, I was did it with startling efficiency for someone in an emergency. Horse was in bridle. The fact that one can use and like a 12 ft rope doesnt mean you use it every time.
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Didn't understand a word of that!
 
Enfys said:
So back to the OP.



Tosh! Horses for courses and all that.

and, as for this "You need a rope headcollar, a 12 foot line and respect from the horse. If you don't have all three, leave well alone."

What? !

Literally?!

That is a real chicken and egg statement.
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Did you know that the Oxford English Dictionary has now changed the definition of the word 'literally' so that it can be used to mean the same as 'figuratively' or 'metaphorically'. Confusingly though it can also still mean 'literally' (in the traditional sense) - this means that I do now have to ask you to clarify the meaning behind the statement in the quote above ;)
 
lastchancer said:
Well if people make inflammatory opening posts then of course people are going to bite... That's why he did it. I'm pretty sure PR is quite big enough to look after himself on an internet forum. Besides, considering the way you have insulted and belittled people on many, many other threads I don't think you really have any right to have a go at anyone. Tbh.
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Well for starters I have never aimed any personally offensive names at anyone on this forum. If I have managed to insult people with my opinions on matters, then so be it. There's a slight difference.
 
Tinypony said:
At the risk of upsetting people, how does a thread that started out talking about how to get more control of a horse end up with people boasting about how they can lead their horses round by the rug, mane, left hind leg etc? I'm sure a lot of people can do all sorts of things at home in their field and yard. Good for them.
This tends to happen here a lot. Someone starts a discussion about an issue, then people chip in with how wonderful they and their horses are, which while it's a little bit interesting maybe (or not), doesn't prove anything or contribute to the original question.
(I may be grumpy because I've been sat here working since 6 am, if so ignore me!).
p.s. Come back PR and look at what you've done, as if you didn't know...
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PR made a statement, he didn't ask a question , he generally isn't interested in discussion or our contribution,just telling us his opinion and calling us inadequate if we don't conform. Turning it into a random discussion on unusual and amusing ways of leading our own horses is the best approach to such threads :D
 
Tinypony said:
At the risk of upsetting people, how does a thread that started out talking about how to get more control of a horse end up with people boasting about how they can lead their horses round by the rug, mane, left hind leg etc? I'm sure a lot of people can do all sorts of things at home in their field and yard. Good for them.
This tends to happen here a lot. Someone starts a discussion about an issue, then people chip in with how wonderful they and their horses are, which while it's a little bit interesting maybe (or not), doesn't prove anything or contribute to the original question.
(I may be grumpy because I've been sat here working since 6 am, if so ignore me!).
p.s. Come back PR and look at what you've done, as if you didn't know...
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This is how normal conversations evolve is it not??
 
How has a thread on the length of lead ropes got to 17 pages? Jeezo. Who says size doesn't matter?

I like 10-12ft ones for doing groundwork because it's a hell of a lot easier to move a horse around you and ask it to change directions when on a longer lead. Also useful for hand grazing a well behaved horse, as you can drape it over the back and it's long enough to not fall off (I, of course, always hold the rope at all times...er...) whereas 6 ft ones just slide off.

For leading from A to B, I don't really care.
 
I am have read most of the posts , but what comes to my mind is do we ever have any real control, yes you can have a mutual trust & respect but sometimes when it's been a bit too wet or windy or maybe they are feeling a little hungrier then usual or they are the last one in they can get a bit stroppy - I have done groundwork some of you will probably say not enough but if he he wants to drag me about (which isn't very often) he has the power to do so everyone has there own ways of solving these issues & what works for 1 may not work for another
as long as no physical harm is being done to the horse or the leader then please respect each others ways - & am I allowed say Amen xx
 
pansy said:
I am have read most of the posts , but what comes to my mind is do we ever have any real control, yes you can have a mutual trust & respect but sometimes when it's been a bit too wet or windy or maybe they are feeling a little hungrier then usual or they are the last one in they can get a bit stroppy - I have done groundwork some of you will probably say not enough but if he he wants to drag me about (which isn't very often) he has the power to do so everyone has there own ways of solving these issues & what works for 1 may not work for another
as long as no physical harm is being done to the horse or the leader then please respect each others ways - & am I allowed say Amen xx
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Well said. In the thread about "worst livery experiences," I told the story of a YO I had who used to get on my case because I didn't lead my horse around in a stud chain. Her reasoning was that if the horse freaked out, I would have no control in a normal halter and lead rope (regardless of the length of the lead). I wanted to say, "Lady, the horse weighs over 1200lbs and I weight 120lbs. If she *really* wants to go, she's going no matter what's on her face. Ever seen a horse charge through a fence?"

(I never said it because that YO was one of the scariest, most intimidating people I have ever met and I didn't have the chutzpah...I just nodded and smiled and continued leading my horse chainless)
 
My 3 year old sports horse is 16hh and lacks confidence away from other horses so can be silly and also can be really macho and lager loutish on occasion. Im pretty sure he would kill me dead if I tried to handle him with a 12ft rope..!!!
I use a proper rope halter and a short rope...he behaves like butter wouldnt melt ;)
A 12ft rope anywhere near a road scares me....in the same way that dog flexi leads do.
Every horse/handler is different. What works for one may not work for the next. My other horse leads in whatever you want him to.
 
The thing is I don't care how PR controls his naughty horses as long the horses are happy.
I know how I approach issues and am happy that others do it differently you just can't make the jump that because some got hurt leading in a bridle all leading in bridles is wrong any more than it would logical to say if a horse stood on someone when wearing a halter and a line that the halter and a Line is at fault.
I hate halters never use them cant see the point but am very happy if other like them .
Two of mine arrived very bad to lead are now super both big strong horses who had been taught their own strength .
One thing I agree with PR ( feels faint )about its about respect and leadership ,the equipment is secondary.
 
SatansLittleHelper said:
My 3 year old sports horse is 16hh and lacks confidence away from other horses so can be silly and also can be really macho and lager loutish on occasion. Im pretty sure he would kill me dead if I tried to handle him with a 12ft rope..!!!
I use a proper rope halter and a short rope...he behaves like butter wouldnt melt ;)
A 12ft rope anywhere near a road scares me....in the same way that dog flexi leads do.
Every horse/handler is different. What works for one may not work for the next. My other horse leads in whatever you want him to.
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I'm sure he would, because it's not something you're trained or experienced in using.
But if you think that a good handler would struggle to deal with your horse in a rope halter and 12ft line you're mistaken. I've organised and ridden on enough clinics with these "cowboy" horsemen to know that for a fact. In fact the handling of a difficult horse can be remarkably undramatic and not particularly forceful. Their approach is different, but effective.

I know we've done a bit of joking on this thread, but I find it quite sad that so many here are quite narrow minded about a simple bit of equipment. Just because you don't know much about something doesn't mean that the way you do things is the only approach that will work does it? Personally I know that there are many ways to attempt to control a lively horse, and people do it with short ropes, long ropes, headcollars, halters, bridles, pressure halters... I mean seriously people, get a grip.
 
Tinypony said:
I'm sure he would, because it's not something you're trained or experienced in using.
But if you think that a good handler would struggle to deal with your horse in a rope halter and 12ft line you're mistaken. I've organised and ridden on enough clinics with these "cowboy" horsemen to know that for a fact. In fact the handling of a difficult horse can be remarkably undramatic and not particularly forceful. Their approach is different, but effective.

I know we've done a bit of joking on this thread, but I find it quite sad that so many here are quite narrow minded about a simple bit of equipment. Just because you don't know much about something doesn't mean that the way you do things is the only approach that will work does it? Personally I know that there are many ways to attempt to control a lively horse, and people do it with short ropes, long ropes, headcollars, halters, bridles, pressure halters... I mean seriously people, get a grip.
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The narrow minds are on both sides of the fence on this thread - wouldn't you agree?
 
It's my birthday today (and I've had a coupla glasses of red) so I'll bite. If your horse is properly halter trained they should be easy enough to lead whatever the rope length. If the horse isn't leading properly (bar high spirits) then that is a problem of respect towards the handler, and a handler issue. I don't see how using a 12 foot rope or a bridle would be any different - they are just different pieces of kit to get the required response from the horse, aren't they?
 
Tinypony said:
I'm sure he would, because it's not something you're trained or experienced in using.
But if you think that a good handler would struggle to deal with your horse in a rope halter and 12ft line you're mistaken. I've organised and ridden on enough clinics with these "cowboy" horsemen to know that for a fact. In fact the handling of a difficult horse can be remarkably undramatic and not particularly forceful. Their approach is different, but effective
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Where did I say that someone else couldnt do it???
I dont profess to be any kind of equine expert. Was simply expressing my thoughts ;)
 
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