Riding & Leading

_daisy_

_daisy_

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My young mare is very spooky and nervy on the roads and takes ages to calm down once shes got herself upset - you name it it upsets her whether or not shes on her own or in company - can be a dog barking, a cone in the road or a wheelie bin. Ive decided to start leading her out from my other mare. Mainly to see if it will help her with her spooky behaviour on the road and to gain lots of confidence from my other mare.
Other mare is really really good and well behaved although quite speedy. Young mare is rather laid back back and can take a bit to get going.
Yesterday was our first time out. Took her on a decent hack of about 1 1/2hrs mainly walk/trot and she was brill. Only one paddy attack when we had a hosepipe problem on the road! It was the first time shes ever been out riding/leading and out with my other mare and she was really well behaved and took leading like a duck to water.
Only problem is she doesnt really ride next to me/my horse. She prefers to either walk directly behind or with her head next to my horses backside.

Any tips to get her riding next to us both?
 
I used to ride and lead all the time in the days when we had a string of hunters, and I still do it now sometimes. I find that both my horses behave better together than alone, so in many ways it's safer.

It isn't the safest thing to be doing on the roads though, so I tend to stick to quiet times of day, and routes where I know there's a verge I can get on if I need to.

I think you have to be very firm about hanging back though, it's much safer to have the led horse up beside you, slightly behind the ridden horse, with it's head just in front of your inside leg.

If it's behind you, then the lead rope will be too long to keep control of it, and it can whip round the other side of you, stop dead, or pull backwards and pxxs off very easily.

It is possible that the ridden horse is 'telling' the led horse to stay back, particularly common in mares! In the herd, the horse higher up in the hierarchy will tell the others to stay behind it (which is why they say Alpha types make the best racehorses!)

You have to put your foot down and make it walk upsides you. Be firm, get the lead rope nice and short, make the horse walk on properly, and control the ridden horse so she doesn't go charging off in front.

This may be a bit controversial, and the BHS will tell you never to lead in anything but a bridle on the roads, but I find a pressure halter better than a bridle for riding and leading. Bridles don't really help you much if the horse pulls backwards. I bought one from K M Elite. It's called a Be Nice halter. I'm not a 'natural horsemanship' aficionado at all, but this does work really, really well.
 
Is she properly halter broken?
I don't mean can you just tow her around, but will she lead 'properly' i.e. come forwards/backwards off the slightest pressure. A well trained horse will make an effort not to even let the rope get tight.
If not, then get yourself a rope halter and start practising in hand. Once you've got that sorted you should be able to ride and lead no trouble at all
smile.gif
 
thanks ever so much for your reply.
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It is possible that the ridden horse is 'telling' the led horse to stay back, particularly common in mares! In the herd, the horse higher up in the hierarchy will tell the others to stay behind it (which is why they say Alpha types make the best racehorses!)

[/ QUOTE ]
strange you say this as it is know from hacking out with other horses this is what she does. She is out of a race mare also. However she is not high up in the pecking order - maybe the 2nd to bottom and the mare being lead is 2nd in command in the field!
I agree with what you are saying about the bridle - I hate elading in bridles and always used to lead froma headcollar but have tried leading this young one from a halter and long rope just in case anything happens she wont pull me off. Will try the be firm bit with her and see if it works - if it works (which i hope it does) then shes just being lazy!
 
I would be inclined to ride her out with a babysitter - rather than ride and lead.

Sounds like she is lacking in confidence and education.
 
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Is she properly halter broken?

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yes she is. Shes absolutely great when leading,groundwork etc just would prefer to follow if out in company - thinking this is down to her insecurities and confidence. Shes absolutely fine if shes being ridden and will take lead but would prefer to follow which is what she is tring to do when im riding/leading.
Ill give Dibbedys tips a go and see what happens.
 
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