Road hog! Horse rides in middle of the road

A

alcraw

Well-Known Member
Joined
28 February 2010
Messages
139
Visit site
I've got a slightly odd issue with my loan horse, in that she is determined to ride in the middle of the road! From speaking to her owners it's because she was always hacked out side by side with another horse, and as she was the sensible one, she went on the outside.

She will move over for cars, but she doesn't listen to my inside leg otherwise and I end up steering her over with the outside rein. Once I stop, she moves back to the middle straight away. Have tried leg-yielding over, but she hasn't done any schooling for ages, and just starts trotting. The trouble is, she genuinely thinks the middle is where she should be!

As problems goes it's not a big one (we hack on quiet country lanes), but just wondered if anyone had any tips for making her stay over!
 
I think you could have a big problem if something comes round a corner at speed and takes you by surprise.
I think i would be looking at spending some more time in the school working on leg yields and getting her to listen to my leg more so that she will ride at the side of the road.
 
Agree with the above really. Doesnt matter if you are on a really quiet road, its still a road with the probability of a car or 2 and if they meet you on a corner....well, need I say more! But you obviously know that, so I would say lots of school work, lots of lateral work so she starts to listen to your leg. Could you hack out with someone else, single file so she gets the idea of where she should be walking?
 
With the overwhelming abundance of T**t drivers firmly with their heads up there jacksy instead of concentrating on their driveing, I would spend some time in the school working on what others have said, roads are dangerous enough without being in the middle.
Within a 10 minute journey on my way to our yard on a 60mph road with a bend that has horse signs, I will see at least 3 people on their mobiles doing at least 50mph, this is in Derby where the police have just had a clampdown, the message just isn't getting across.
 
Last edited:
Practice leg yielding. On the ground with a schooling whip and then on board. I ride on comparatively quiet country lanes and tend to ride in the middle anyway as that area is less worn down and has got more grip.
 
Thanks all. I don't currently have access to a school, but will hopefully have one to rent in the next few weeks.

Most of our work so far has been hacking out (only had her for 5 weeks), but I maybe need to do a bit more in the field in the meantime, until we get regular school sessions - not ideal as she wants to tank off to the other end to be with her mates, but it will be a start!
 
Use a schooling whip to reinforce your leg aid (practice in the school first to make sure she isn't going to over-react!).

As she is new to you, she might well be trying it on a bit as well as it being force of habit for her:)
 
We used to have ride/drive gelding who had been driven much more than ridden before he came to us. We used to laugh that he always left room for the cart between him and the verge. But seriously, some horses are so much more comfortable walking in the middle of the road, because of the camber. We have had several since who have also been difficult to persuade to hug the edge, not all drivers. Actually I quite like to leave myself somewhere to go in case of necessity.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top