Top tips for ride and lead....

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kittykatcat

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Hi all,

I have only ridden and lead once (two horses that I was exercising and the owner INSISTED that I did it) and it was a horrific experience...

Anyway, I now have two very well behaved practically bombproof horses, which I think I may attempt to ride and lead. One is 16.1hh and the other 15.2hh. 15.2hh younger, but slightly more sensible than the 16.1hh.

I am planning a route which is mostly on wide byways and then back on a quiet but wide (two cars width) road....

So my questions are - should i ride the taller or the smaller? The more sensible? Which side should I lead on!?!

Sorry to come across as very ignorant, but it's something I have only done once and it was an awful experience, but keen to try with my well behaved boys :) !!

Many thanks

Catherine
 
Always lead on the nearside - i.e. the kerb side. Make sure you have a bridle on the horse you are leading and clip a rope through the bit and behind the horse's mouth to the other side - don't know if that makes sense! Which one to ride will be a case of trial and error - one might be better to be led than the other one. I do this every day with mine - one way round I can even canter them together. Good luck!
 
I ride Mick and lead Shiney, so I ride the taller one, but he isn't the most sensible. I ride him as he is my horse and I school him as I'm riding - lateral work, slowing pace, halt and walk, and also paces in trot. Shiney just ambles along at the side.

I use a headpiece with a bit and a coupling chain as when we get into fast trot Shiney used to nearly overtake me! but I have them trained to voice now.

I mainly go up and down the farm drive in winter so its dark, but its off road and they are fine. I can hack round the village but we are well practiced and I have full control. I have Shiney on the nearside as said above and I carry a whip in my offside hand. I hold the lead rope through both hands - almost like bridged reins.

I have also schooled them in the manage together like this as I needed to get them both out the stables. Its fine for figure 8's and 20m circles.

Have fun.
 
If you're planning to do a lot of it, it's best to make sure that you can ride either of them, so that they both have saddles on them and your influence as a rider regularly. Also, if you have no help, plan how you're going to get on board - easiest with a moveable mounting block, I find!
 
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