walking out in hand

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blood_magik

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I was thinking of taking my boy out in hand. To be honest, I could do with the extra exercise :o

I know that he should be in his bridle when we're on the road and we should be decked out in hi-vis.
Is there anything else I need to do?

Also, do you just take the reins over the horse's head or do you use a coupling and leadrope?
 
I love walking in hand :)
When I used to do it on the road I took a little horn with me, so that round corners I could hoot it, so hopefully a car could hear me before they saw my hi viz. Obviously this would depend on your horse - if they are liable to spook into the next county don't do it!
I also used to take a little clip bag attatched to the bridle with a folding hoof pick in, and my contact details incase he ever became lost.
I used to take the reins off and just run a leadrope through the bit.
I love walking in hand. More than riding actually I think! Have fun!!
 
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Depending on if he's well behaved or not etc, take him out on a lunge line, clipped onto offside round to other side. My pony likes to bugger off, pulling away from you, and a lunge line helps to keep hold of him tbh!
It's easier to keep hold of him if he spooks etc, you don't want a loose horse on the road for sure! :S

Errmm, wearing gloves deffo, prevents nasty burns.

I use a hi vis excersize sheet behind the saddle (i take my take stirrups off), and a tabard.

I carry a crop personally so i can control his shoulder a little.
My riding boots rub when i walk too far in them, so i take my trusty sturdy walking boots!

Thats all i can think of that i do!
 
he's quite well behaved in general :) he might have a wee look at something but he'll usually just carry on :o

the lunge line is a good idea - do you thread it through the bit then over the head or just through the bit?
 
You are traffic, so stay on the side of the road that you would in a car. Walk on the horse's right so you are between the horse and traffic.
 
Reins over the head - and you lead the horse from the right - so you are between it and the traffic.

DO NOT USE A LUNGE LINE.
 
Walk on the right of your horse (with you between him and the traffic). Go with the flow of traffic as you would if riding.

I tend to wear trainers as it stops me getting sore shins from the impact of walking / running on a hard surface (know that this isn't the best type of footwear but will take the risk of getting stood on)

I started taking one of the ponys jogging with me. Got some strange looks from some people but the pony loved it and was more than happy to adjust her trot to my jogging speed. :D

Have fun
 
Take the reins off the bridle and either use a lunge line or a lead rope with 2 clips - reins are just too short to hold on to if your horse does have a serious spook and if he breaks free, it's all too easy for a leg to get caught in them.

I keep a cheapie bridle just for this and lunging, saves messing aound.

Interestingly, I have found that drivers are more considerate when I am on foot with the horse than they are when I ride... :confused:
 
I take my pony for in hand 'hacks' :) I just stick the head collar on (shes only little) grab the dog and the three of us go up the hill. Tbh its more like walking two dogs - I just can't let the pony off the lead :D
 
I used to hand walk both my share horses, either when they were slightly unsound or, with the second one, his owner had taken his tack home to clean and forgotten to bring it back! I was lucky and could go out without going on the roads at all so I just went out in a headcollar and lunge line, it allowed them to go behind me if the path was too thin for both of us. It was just like walking a big dog, I did get some funny looks! We used to do a bit of jogging too but I'm rubbish at it. I always wore gloves, I should have worn my hat but sometimes I was forgetful and didn't.

One time I went out with my second share horse, my sister and my boyfriend. We wandered around the woods taking photos and losing shoes in the mud, we must have looked mad! But we had fun and the horse seemed to enjoy it too.
 
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