where do you place yourself when leading your horse?

Alyth said:
So do you all walk into the trailer with your horse? Then does he stand there while you do up the back or do you all have helpers to do this??
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I walk at the shoulder and when loading I walk alongside them. Secure the leadrope and shut them in. They're very good travellers.

Mostly when leading my own from the field, I'm at the shoulder having a conversation with them as we wander in. They humour me and pretend to listen.
 
I lead with their head at my shoulder. The problem with leading at their shoulder is that if there is any pressure in the lead rein they begin to walk crooked because if the head is bent to the left then the hindquarters will be bent to the right.
 
Alyth said:
So do you all walk into the trailer with your horse? Then does he stand there while you do up the back or do you all have helpers to do this??
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Yup - Kal is a gent to load so I can walk him onto the lorry, tie him up, do up the partitions and close the ramp all by myself.

As for where he walks when I lead him - he walks where I tell him to - sometimes behind me, sometimes with his head at my shoulder - on either side of me - and sometimes with me at his shoulder. Handy if you need to take more than once up at a time or need to take him up with a wheelbarrow full of "stuff" and need to go in and out of multiple gates.

P
 
Alyth said:
I place myself at the side of the ramp and ask my horse to walk past me up into the float so I can fasten the bum bar and put the ramp up before going to the front and bringing his lead rope to the front of the breast bar......
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Alyth said:
So do you all walk into the trailer with your horse? Then does he stand there while you do up the back or do you all have helpers to do this??
Click to expand...

Not quite certain where trailers came into it before your post(s) but for me it depends on the horse and the vehicle. Once in I do expect my horses to stand quietly whether they are in trailer or lorry, especially as I'm normally taking more than one. If they don't do it when they come here then they learn to.
 
My youngster often lags when I'm leading with his head to my shoulder and will deliver a naughty nip if the mood takes him! I find he walks better if I walk by his shoulder, so I can dictate the speed and give him a shove if his head veers my way!
 
jemima*askin said:
Not quite certain where trailers came into it before your post(s) but for me it depends on the horse and the vehicle. Once in I do expect my horses to stand quietly whether they are in trailer or lorry, especially as I'm normally taking more than one. If they don't do it when they come here then they learn to.
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I'm afraid I was at fault!! I misread 'leading' as 'loading'!! Sorry!!
 
At the shoulder of the Arab, perfect manners
Near the head of the Saddler, out of the way of dishy feet
Near the tail of the Thoroughbred, being dragged along
Behind the Clydesdale, pushing.
 
At the shoulder without a doubt, go too far forward and you risk having your heels walked on.

The horse does need to have been taught to lead properly though. When they get a bit silly then I do tend to go closer to the head as they can get past you so quickly that you can end up being kicked.

Going through a gate is a different kettle I fish as it so depends on the gateway, how far you're able to open the gate and how many other equines you have to prevent escaping!

I usually walk backwards out of the paddock as my girl has a faithful mini that shadows her everywhere and is so tiny he can sneak through between her legs.
 
Always at shoulder but ummm baby always walked behind me. It was a confidence thing with baby "where mum gies i will follow" and she would past anything regardless of her sight bless her :)
 
Most of the yard I'm on the horses only walk if dragged along behind me. This is after years of taking 4/5 horses to the fields and back twice daily. Our fields are a 20min walk and with up to 10 riding school to bring in doing them in pairs or individually isn't a practical option. They all lead nicely like that even the new ones get it very fast. If not you just let go its not worth the risk, then pick them back up again. Livery horses are closer and lead in pairs or individually. Most liveries will lead by shoulder or with my elbow dug in their shoulder if bolshy. My mare is new to me and has previously been dragged, she's now learning to walk next to me.
 
All of mine lead with their head at my shoulder or just behind me. They are all polite and have never run me over or trodden on me, if something does spook them then they hide behind me.

I don't see this as them herding me at all - I have had them all from foals and they got used to following me (as they would follow their mum or lead mare).

I don't like leading from the shoulder as I don't feel it gives any control at all especially in a head collar - if the horse wants to put it's head down and do one then they are already a pace in front of you.
 
Depends what mood my horse is in! If he's coming in from the field for dinner he's usually in front with me at his shoulders. When he's getting put back out in the field he walks by my side or behind me. Sometimes I don't even lead him at all and he follows me anywhere!
 
I lead with her head level or just behind my shoulder.
I have had a lot of problems with leading her so have done a lot of ground work to remedy her rudeness. She now walks quietly and willingly at my shoulder but, I am never lax - I constantly test her by slowing or stopping and I expect her to watch where I am and stay in the correct place at all times. Walking down to the field is a lesson in itself!! I used to lead at her shoulder but found her to be quite onward bound leading like this. By walking behind my shoulder she can see 'my space' and now knows not to go into it.
 
I have had stages at different places. I currently position myself so my youngsters head is at my shoulder. Seems to relax her gives me an extra second if she decides to shoot off. If I was already at her shoulder she might have been off already.

This is mainly because I have had some lessons with a Kelly Marks trainer.
My previous trainer used to position the horse behind you. I'll admit although this did work for my boy I didn't always feel safe. If he decided to really go I always thought he'd be on top of me.

I have also worked with leading in the usual position of you being at their shoulder. It has it's advantages as well but I find they can get one step ahead of you quite easily in that position.

Just think its what works for you and the horse.
 
Left hand on far end of rope, right hand about a foot below his chin, and his head level with my shoulder. Also I talk to him the whole way. He is just a baby still, and will sometimes stop and stare or shout, and I find this way gives me the most control in case of any spooks etc.
 
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