tips for walking out in hand?

[mandwhy]

So I have had my 15hh haffy mare for about 2 months and have ordered a saddle after fitting which should come in about 2 weeks.

As I had an accident off the horse I had on loan last I have not been riding for about 3 months as I knackered my arm! Seems almost back to full strength now so will be OK for when I am riding again. Obviously rode when I viewed her and for saddle fitting and she was very good and slightly ploddy which is preferable to strong at the mo!

She is only five and came from somewhere quite isolated so I have been taking her out for walks on the roads to get her used to traffic. Last time she was great and I thought yes I am happy about riding her when saddle comes, apart from a bit of upset when we met a bus, but we will get there. Today however I brought my BF with me and she was not on her best behaviour at all! Told BF to walk in front but she almost ran into him so he decided to stay behind or to the side, I don't know if this worried her but bless him he is only just starting to feel confident around her so probably better just me and her for now.

The main problems are not stopping to cross the road, she tries to circle round me and is generally a bit arsey when asked to stand for a minute, just young and impatient! I have held her out of the way obviously but would like to teach her to stand still. At the moment we are using the pedestrian crossings as the main road we cross is quite busy so that helps.

Also today she was not that great coming down the bit of faster road and was swinging out a bit and jogging more than usual and refrained to stop a couple of times resulting in circling which is not cool around traffic although all cars were very good and I thanked profusely!

We both have hi vis on and I lead her in a bridle obviously, on the inside between her and any cars (this is weaker arm side though).

Would side reins help? I have heard of people walking out in them but not tried it.

Maybe she will be better once ridden but I am a bit nervous about it. I have a couple of friends locally so will try to coordinate company but I mostly do this in the light on a weekday.

I am not sure there is much I can do other than persevere and maybe today was just an off day but if anyone has any tips or experiences then do share

 

[AengusOg]

Learn about the use of 'pressure and release' in the training of horses; then put her in a training halter, and teach her to yield to pressure.

Walking horses out in-hand should not be a battle of strength.

 

[be positive]

You are leading her correctly, on her right, but like most horses she is probably not really used to being led this way and feels less confident. I would spend more time working on her in a safe area, her field if that is all you have, lead her from both sides get her listening to you, stopping when you do, walking when you do, not spinning round. Do numerous transitions, she should start to tune in to your body language then she will be safer out on the roads.
If you could do some lunging or long reining it may help to get her working with you in a more relaxed way.

 

[mandwhy]

AengusOg - I have been trying to implicate this when it comes to just walking and stopping, she sometimes stops dead and I put pressure on to move and immediately release which seems to work well, I thought a bridle would be safest on the roads but did consider a halter over the top, I am just not sure what to do when she wants to spin or not stand? If she is just walking along nicely I make sure I am not hassling her mouth at all but not sure what else to do of she is moving towards traffic?

Be positive - thank you yes I should probably do more of this in her field. She is so good really, backs up and moves away etc from subtle body movements and is respectful and very intelligent. She leads perfectly when relaxed and I don't have to tie her up to do anything with her. She is a quick learner so I am sure she will catch on but she just gets worried/excited/overwhelmed all at once when out in public which is understandable. Doesn't help we had to pass some excitable ponies in a field today so will maybe go the other way next time or save it to the end, she just always calls to them so thought we should get a meeting out of the way as it would be handy to pass them happily as avoids the worst narrowest bit of busy road.

She is quite sensitive to body language, maybe I need to make sure my stop command is super clear as maybe I am just conveying that I am worried instead!

I did lead her just down the quiet village road on the other side when my arm was not strong enough to be on the correct side, I think she did the same thing except obviously worse as her bum would go out into the road rather than the other way.

 

[gunnergundog]

Take some food with you in your pocket and when you want her to stop give her a reason to stop....ie feed her! This can then become her reward for standing still and also act as a distraction whilst getting there!