Riding & leading - how to??

itsonlyme

itsonlyme

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Our section A is out of work with a SI strain. She's a fatty though & i want to keep her walking out. To save time now it's getting dark early, I'd like to lead her from one of my others.
is there a specific way of introducing this? And do u do it in a bridle or headcollar?
They're fine to lead together already, but pony is a bit joggy!
Any tips greatly appreciated :-)
 
Personally, always in a bridle on the road, using a chain through the bit rings. Gloves are a good idea as well.

To introduce it I would try leading out with someone on foot to rescue you if things go a bit pear shaped while the pony gets the hang of what is going on. If the pony lunges it will be accustomed to voice commands as the 'walk on' from standstill seems to confuse them most. Most seem to pick it up pretty quickly.
 
Without a doubt lead in a bridle with a lead rein through the bit. Keep the ponys head at your leg.

If i were you i'd work them both in the school first with someone close by. Then when they are okay, take them on a small hack, again with someone around to grab the pony if it goes wrong.

eventually it all just works. Its a fab way to exercise and it worked wonders with all my youngsters :)

good luck
 
1. Get an extra long leadrope, the short ones from headcollars I find too short if one of the ride/ lead ponies shoots forward or back!

2. Be diligent about not wrapping the lead rope around your hand/ leg in case one of them scoots.

3. It helps if the horse you are riding isn't enormous, esp if you're leading a wee welsh A!

4. Be careful if you go on narrow roads, it's a pain if you can't let cars past because you are "double width" as it were!

Leading polo ponies I use a head collar because they are used to ride and lead, but in the past with ponies I've used a bridle to have more brakes!
 
When I ride and lead it depends on how young/old the led horse is to whether I lead in a headcollar or a bridle. I always lead using a leather leadshank. If leading off the bridle then I use a Newmarket chain coupling attached to both bit rings. If leading off headcollar then snapped on as usual to ring under chin.

My riding horse is well accustomed to leading others. I tie a knot in my reins and ride one-handed giving me the other hand to hold the leather lead of the led horse. I keep the led horse at my horse's shoulder so I have full control over it's head. Do not let the lead horse get in front or behind as then you could lose control. Teach the riding horse to neckrein so that you are able to ride singlehanded. If you're not able to ride singlehanded then it's debatable whether you should be riding and leading. I have seen people ride and lead where they ride using both reins as usual when just riding but if the led horse does not remain constant then this can unbalance the riding horse due to the rider not releasing the rein which has been pulled away.

When first starting out I find it easier to do most of the ride/lead training at a steady trot. This gets the horses and the rider up to speed in a more stable fashion (IMO) and I find helps to keep the concentration of both horses better. Don't forget this is training for both horses and for you if you haven't done it before so start off in an enclosed area before venturing out.

This is how I do it, others may have different methods which work just as well for them.
 
Bridle and bit.
Use a coupling between the bit rings or thread the leadrope through one ring and attach to the other.
Use a long leadrope. 12' may be too long.

Section A's have tiny ears. If they stop to admire the view, by time you and your neddy have stopped, you will be 10' in front and the bridle will have slipped over the Welshie's ears. (believe me, this happened to me once. My Welshie then buggared off, luckily down a deadend drove, to enjoy her temporary freedom).

So plait the mane around the headpiece to stop the bridle accidentally pulling off!
 
I have led my coloured since he was a yearling off my 15.3hh horse. Initially I did it with merely just a head collar and rope with no issues at all. Now that he is 3, I like him to associate it as 'work', and so I have him in a bridle, roller and side reins (merely to allow him to get a feel on his mouth as if he were to be ridden). However, I put a head collar over the top of his bridle and lead him off the head collar. I am scared to death if I did it directly from the bit and something did happen, and he got loose, he would stand on the rope and break his jaw. Not that I think it is wrong to do so - just that it is something I fear could happen.

As long as your horse respects his head collar, I personally don't see a problem with it. I use a Monty Roberts dually for long reining in - I guess that could be an option too. xx
 
Thank u all. Lots of little things i hadn't thought about! Like the plait & the length of rope, etc. Will try her bridle and her BeNice & see which is best.
The mare I'd lead from is a 15.2 20 year old warmblood X sloth (!), so she's very sensible & easy to ride one-handed. :-) Pony-face just gets a bit excited when she's out & likes to try & storm ahead of the big horses! Will deff stick to the manege initially. I think we'll be fine on roads - it's just getting the hang of single-track routes & gates that might be a faff, but we're way off that yet!
Thank u again :-D x
 
I lead my son's 12hh pony from my 16.2 mare, I use a head collar and lead rope. I think it helps a lot that they are both sensible sorts, but here are my learnt hints-

Pony on inside, head by my foot, lead rope not too long so it doesn't get looped round my foot. . . Too often!

Voice commands for the pony so he doesn't get left behind when we start to trot.

It seems to make people smile and slow down even more than they would have done anyway.

Today we had a great ride out and they cantered side by side perfectly :)
 
I ride and lead ours in a bridle and newmarket coupling, plenty of hi-vis and put the one being led on the left. I carry a long stick just in case, but have never had to use it yet. voice commands are essential to help keep everyone together! :)

It's quite nice to go out in 'company' I think, and the boys prefer it to being left behind!
 
yes as the others have said bascially make sure your the horse your leading is on the left so if your on the road the horse your riding can shelter it and push it away from the traffic.

As you should also do when your leading in hand on the road. Never lead from the right. Never understood when you see kids being led on the road why they are being led by their leader from the right. And we always use a bridle and long line.

Great way to get the hunters fit and give them some training to respect each other at the same time.
 
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