Riding and Leading - what do you think?

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Puppy

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A little discussion: Do you think it's safe to ride and lead, or do you consider it dangerous?
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(I mean with sensible horses, not crazy, bouncing beasts!
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And on quiet roads)


Thoughts?
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Yes, and do so regularly.
All my horses will ride and lead at any pace, and in any combination. I use a pressure halter as it gives me clear communication, but also have a bridle on underneath (but never take a feel on it) when doing road work for insurance purposes.
My horses are even trained so that the one being led will drop back and walk in single file for those big lorry/small lane encounters!
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I ride and lead for road work, and for fitness work in the field if I'm really pushed for time.
 
Yes, I've always done it, mainly with hunters. I ride alone so the horses like each others company. (I do carry a mobile phone.) Like Bounty my led horse will drop in behind in narrow spots if we meet vehicles.
 
Yes I ride and lead one or two horses regularly - so does everyone else round here - there are not enough hours in the day to exercise every horse individually especially on the hunt livery yards, same when I groomed for a polo syndicate.
 
yes

we always ride and lead the ponies from fields at other end of village

have ridden one and lead 4 before
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and often ride and lead the eventers out, when its winter and short on time
 
Interesting..!
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I personally am in, I believe, the majority here, who think it is safe - Obviously with sensible horses and a sensible route
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I was amazed tonight that a friend of mine (whose family have a hunting and racing yard near mine) had seen me riding and leading today (Be's first time! She was foot perfect!! This was supposed to be a happy/I love my horses/proud mummy post
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) and yet he called me "naughty" for doing it
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When I questioned him, (I thought he must know that I was supposed to be studying this afternoon
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) he said he thought it was dangerous because you don't have "control".
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I told him that I was quite sure
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that when I was riding and leading, so as to exercise my well behaved lovely ladies, I had a damn sight more control than he ever has over his horse who he is currently getting other people to ride as much as poss...
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We have a rather turbulent relationship (read, we argue like cat and dog!!
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Or husband and wife according to our friends who think we should be together
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) Anyway, he did surprise me....
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My mother who I had a little rant to on the phone afterwards says he's just trying to provoke a response from me cause she thinks he's in love with me...
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nope, seen someone have a nasty fall doing this.

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Hmmm, I've seen someone have a nasty fall from jumping, but I still do it...
 
The road in question that I was on BTW:

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It's a single track back road, with either plenty wide verges or gateways to pull over into. I know most of the vehicles I pass down there by sight and to wave to. My girls have both done the route hundreds of times. Even though it was our first time we did a good few trots and they were brilliant. We pulled over and waited for a tractor to pass etc. I am thrilled with Be's "lesson", and then he went and pi$$ed on my chips
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Yes I do it. And if my princess and my asbo pony can manage it, then anyone can!!
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LOL! Princess and Asbo pony... I have Her Highness and Piglet
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Are you mad?
Nothing to do with horses is ever 'safe'!
S
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LOL! Well, that is the main "thrill" in this riding business I suppose.
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I used to lead my youngster out with my mare and the only problem I had was before Muppet learned to walk and poo at the same time!! It got her used to traffic, and she has always been an angel to ride on the road since.
 
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nope, seen someone have a nasty fall doing this.

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Hmmm, I've seen someone have a nasty fall from jumping, but I still do it...

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yip well the kid who fell off broke her shoulder, leg & was knocked out.

not worth the risk for me
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Okay so if I wanted to do it round the fields, would I ride the youngster or Will? I wouldn't do it on the roads round us, the clueless 'Aga Louts' can't cope with one horse let alone two!
 
I'm ok thanks
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The whole "friend" thing is still ongoing and upsetting in fits and bursts,
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but I have been royally naughty and snuck in a some riding the last two days, so now I am a happier puppy
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I'm sorry to see that you're having a difficult day
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(((hugs))) and love. H. xxxx
 
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It is as safe as anything to do with horses! Life without risk is no life at all.

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Yes, quite
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I personally think this chap is taking a greater risk when he rides his dark bay/grey at dusk with dark clothes and no high viz on the exact same road
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I *may* have pointed this out to him in the discussion we had earlier...
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My godmother owns Highland Horseback, which did 200 mile trail rides across Scotland. They always take a spare horse with them incase one that is being ridden goes lame. The runner goes loose whenever possible, but obviously has to go on a tow on the roads.

Whenever I've been on the ride, I've taken the spare for a lot of the way. I never had any problems, well if I'm being honest I did drop the spare on occasions but thankfully not anywhere dangerous. All of the horses are big, strong and fit, but for the most part are perfectly controllable. I can see why people think it's dangerous, when two boulshy Irish Drafts decided to go opposite directions it's pretty difficult to stop them. The most problems I've ever had are with the horse I now own. Chess is willfull to put it mildly, and sets her neck and trots off (she did this a few miles into one of the rides and trotted off home with a rider on her back once), so when she's on the tow and decides to go there's nothing you can do about it.

My godmother's done the trail rides since 2000, and as far as I know has never had an accident with horses on the tow. This even includes going on A roads. I think the horses know not to piss about with the cars though, because they always toddle along like wee lambs when it's dangerous.

I also have to take tows quite a lot with the riding school I work at. Whenever one of the kids can't stop the horse eating, or is just being generally useless at riding, the easiest and safest thing to do I chuck them on the tow. I'd choose towing a loose horse over one with a kid on it any day, you don't get the complaining!
 
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Okay so if I wanted to do it round the fields, would I ride the youngster or Will? I wouldn't do it on the roads round us, the clueless 'Aga Louts' can't cope with one horse let alone two!

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I ride my elder, larger horse and lead t'other. The younger one is very good though (not the spooky type) and probably better in the mouth.
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Saw someone riding and leading yesterday, looking effortless. Did think it was a bit daft as she was also texting on her mobile phone at the time and didn't even notice our car coming towards them!

One of our friends lives up in the Highlands and when she goes hacking two or three of the others come along loose! Lucky them, all safe off road hills, moors, forest and beach riding.
 
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