How to Lead a Horse Safely
Leading a horse the right way will keep both you and the horse safe.
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Instructions
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Catch your horse.
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Put a halter on your horse.
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Hold the lead rope in your right hand approximately 12 to 18 inches below the clasp. Hold the remainder of the lead rope in your left hand.
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Walk your horse from the near (left) side.
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Leave at least a foot or so between you and the horse.
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Keep your shoulder between the horse's shoulder and its head.
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Cluck, kiss or tell your horse to "Walk."
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Look forward as you walk, don't look at your horse (it is a sign of aggression that may scare the horse or make him move away).
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Tug on the lead rope if the horse walks faster or tries to walk away.
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Tell your horse to "Whoa" periodically to make sure he is paying attention. Do not let him walk off; make him stop. Pat and praise him to reinforce good behavior.
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Maintain control of your horse at all times.
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Tips & Warnings
Use gloves when leading a horse to prevent rope burn if the horse pulls back or bolts (takes off).
Always keep your horse next to you. Don't let the horse wander off, get too far in front of you (you could get kicked) or too far behind (you could get run over).
Do not allow your horse to crowd you. If the horse starts moving in closer, use the pressure of your finger in his shoulder to get him to move over. As soon as he takes a step in the right direction, remove the pressure - this is his reward. If he does it again, repeat the process. Don't get impatient.
Never wrap the rope around your hand. If the horse bolts you will be dragged or thrown.
Always wear hard-toed shoes when you are around horses.
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Comments
View all 8 Comments-
cowgurln
Dec 25, 2009
My horse is a big bully! She is a 15.3 hh appaloosa tank mare! she just started this habbit( it happens at any time, she is a rescue and was severly abused so is really scared and flighty...): when I lead her away from her pasture buddies she will try to become in charge. she will walk faster until my shoulder is by her shoulder/whithers. no matter how hard I pull she will most of the time not listen. I have tried brining a lunge wip along and when she does that putting the wip to her chest and tap it and say back and whoa and pull on the lead. some times that works and somtimes it doesn't...any ideas??? I want to show her in halter in the spring but she get's really flighty and spooky when she is away from the lead mare. also when I ride her she will not listen to some one that is leading her on the ground she does the same thing only worse!!! I am the only one that can handle her(...
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CowgirlCal
Jul 07, 2009
Ok thanks!! Ya thanks for your advice!! That always works with my horses!!
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Dec 09, 2005
Take 2 rubber bands, split the part you want to braid in half, repeat over and under until you run out of mane. Then tie with a rubber band. This is a pretty tip and can impress the judge a lot!
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Dec 09, 2005
Take 2 rubber bands, split the part you want to braid in half, repeat over and under until you run out of mane. Then tie with a rubber band. This is a pretty tip and can impress the judge a lot!
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Nov 22, 2005
If you are like me and own crazy Thoroughbred's, and your spunky friends enjoy taking off when you bring them in for dinner, here are a few tricks to try. 1.) If your horse is a bolter, use a long lead shank, and if neccessary, a stud chain over the nose or under he chin. The second your horse tries to push you around and position himself to run, whack him REALLY HARD on the chest with your lead rope (it won't hurt like you think) and jerk the stud chain a tiny bit (but not if it is under the chin!!!) Turn your horse back around in a circle, take him to the gate of the paddock, and walk him back to his stall again. 2.) If your horse is a rearer: Rearing horses can be extremely hazardous and it is a habit hard to erase once it is begun. I would suggest taking your horse to the round pen at least twice a week and lead him around. If he begins to rear, push him out into a cricle using a lunge whip and run him until he is exhausted. After he asks to join you in the middle of the circle, allow him to and try again. Soon you horse will learn that if he rears, he has to run. 3.) Biters. I have a biter, and trust me, they can get really pushy! At my stable boarders and stable hands bring in the horses if you are not there, and some of the boarders are very inexperienced. My horse took adavantage of several, and has learned to test you to see if he can bite. Now I have forbidded anyone besides experiences personnel to bring in my horse, and when he gets testy, whack your horse on the hollow ridge of the nose. After several repetitions, they will learn!
