Posted 2010-01-13 12:29 PM (#115218) Subject: Hand Walking Your Horse
Elite Veteran
Posts: 1069 Location: MI.
Just curious....Is there a proper way to walk a horse? Is there a proper position where your horse should be from you? I like my horse to walk on my right with their head equal to my side on a looser lead. I want them to stop/move when I do. I was told by someone that a proper way to walk a horse is having the horse's shoulder just behind your side when walking......People are interesting...Maybe that is proper in a show ring? Either way, I can't stand people sticking their nose in my business and talking to me like I am an idiot.
Posted 2010-01-13 1:30 PM (#115225 - in reply to #115218) Subject: RE: Hand Walking Your Horse
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 522 Location: Tucumcari NM
I guess it depends on the circumstances. Around the barn, I want my horse's head off my right shoulder. When I am on the trail, my horse walks behind me. A lot of people will disagree with me having my horse behind me, but trail conditions do not allow for side-by-side movement. Having your horse walk beside you is simply a safety issue. You don't want your horse climbing up your back if he spooks.
Posted 2010-01-13 3:00 PM (#115230 - in reply to #115218) Subject: RE: Hand Walking Your Horse
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 447 Location: cedar rapids iowa
Years ago we were taught differently than they do it now. It is different in the showring then around the barn. I think there are legitimate reasons to do it different ways with different horses so I am staying out of this one.
Posted 2010-01-13 4:40 PM (#115242 - in reply to #115218) Subject: RE: Hand Walking Your Horse
Expert
Posts: 1989 Location: South Central OK
In the QH show ring (other stock breeds too) the horse should keep his/her throat latch at your right shoulder. The horse should move "off" of your movements and the lead is more for decoration because your body position controls the horse. Halter horses however are usually idiots and thus the new ruling regarding DQ upon flipping over.
In the Arab show ring, I often wonder how those people don't get killed.
Posted 2010-01-13 10:08 PM (#115258 - in reply to #115242) Subject: RE: Hand Walking Your Horse
Veteran
Posts: 201 Location: Lincoln, NE
One thing recommended by many trainers is that the horse learn to lead from both left and right. If fact each side of the horse should get equal attention when training.
I wish I'd done that with mine. Now if I try to lead from their right they go behind me so that I am on their left again. Also hard to get them to go right when lunging. They keep trying to get me on their left.
Personally I don't show, don't care what artificial requirement they impose. It makes me sick to see what is required of the western pleasure horses.
The right way to lead your horse is anyway you want and is comfortable for you both. If you run into a situation where leading in the accustomed manner creates a problem then you'll need to rethink and retrain.
Posted 2010-01-16 5:25 AM (#115336 - in reply to #115218) Subject: RE: Hand Walking Your Horse
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 391 Location: Columbia, KY
back in the 80's we were doing NATRC rides and they were very picky about how you led your horse. both hands on the lead rope, rope had to be uncoiled, can't remember but I think the horse had to be in a certain position behind the person's body too. I thought it was pretty stupid at the time but really it was all for safety reasons. my little darlings lead from either side, with either a halter or rope around their neck, stay OUT of my space, stop when I stop, will walk or trot beside me when I set the pace. it's all about respect and teaching the horse manners. it's kinda fun really to spend time on the ground and teach them. a friend has trained her PSG horse to practically dance with her on the ground. they follow each other's movements- pretty cool!
Posted 2010-01-17 9:34 AM (#115375 - in reply to #115218) Subject: RE: Hand Walking Your Horse
Veteran
Posts: 196 Location: WI
Either way, I can't stand people sticking their nose in my business and talking to me like I am an idiot.
But you post here asking for people to stick their noses in your business.... Anyway, lead your horse however you feel safe. Mine are about 4-5 ft behind me on a loose lead. But that's because they're busy pushing peanuts across the ground. I know where they are at just by the feel of the rope. A friend of ours used to lead with her arm straight out to the side, hand at the snap. It bothered the heck outta me. Her shoulder has never been the same since that horse spooked. Another friend (shorter lady) tucks herself up under her horse's neck and she wonders why she gets stepped on all the time.
Posted 2010-01-20 2:13 PM (#115515 - in reply to #115375) Subject: RE: Hand Walking Your Horse
Elite Veteran
Posts: 1069 Location: MI.
Originally written by Hank on 2010-01-17 9:34 AM
Either way, I can't stand people sticking their nose in my business and talking to me like I am an idiot.
But you post here asking for people to stick their noses in your business.... Anyway, lead your horse however you feel safe. Mine are about 4-5 ft behind me on a loose lead. But that's because they're busy pushing peanuts across the ground. I know where they are at just by the feel of the rope. A friend of ours used to lead with her arm straight out to the side, hand at the snap. It bothered the heck outta me. Her shoulder has never been the same since that horse spooked. Another friend (shorter lady) tucks herself up under her horse's neck and she wonders why she gets stepped on all the time.
I am asking for opinions here.....you all didn't just walk up to me and tell me. There's a difference.
Posted 2010-01-20 2:27 PM (#115517 - in reply to #115242) Subject: RE: Hand Walking Your Horse
Expert
Posts: 1723 Location: michigan
having been in the arabian show ring, the reason they don't get killed is because the horse is well trained. They also don't need the chain portion of the lead run over their gums.
Posted 2010-01-21 9:26 PM (#115565 - in reply to #115218) Subject: RE: Hand Walking Your Horse
Expert
Posts: 1989 Location: South Central OK
farmbabe, I have seen adults get run over and stepped on in the Arab show ring as I have with other breeds too. And I'm sure if other breeds used tiny thin little chains they wouldn't run them under the lip, which is not all that common anymore unlike the chains used on most Arabs.
I'm just stating facts and I'm not gonna get into a pissing contest about which breed/method is better because everyone likes what they like.
I do love the idea that those horses are trained to act that way. WOW.
Posted 2010-01-22 5:09 AM (#115570 - in reply to #115218) Subject: RE: Hand Walking Your Horse
Expert
Posts: 1723 Location: michigan
Only the poorly trained horses run over the handlers and I haven't seen much of that. Mostly its handlers( amatuer adults) that cannot run along side the horse- its not easy for some adults. If my horse only managed to shuffle along yet still needed a chain in the mouth, I'd be far more concerned about safety issues ( with the obvious except of stallions) Just trying to give you some food for thought next time to take a shot across the bow...
Posted 2010-01-22 9:09 PM (#115603 - in reply to #115572) Subject: RE: Hand Walking Your Horse
Veteran
Posts: 201 Location: Lincoln, NE
Thank you Acy for the info on the Prix St. Georges being dressage. I have heard of Grand Prix jumping but didn't know if that was the same.
Last year I watched a world competition on TV where the dressage was performed with music. I was very impressed that many of those horses seemed to time their footfalls to the tempo of the music.. Beautiful stuff.
Posted 2010-01-26 8:39 AM (#115716 - in reply to #115336) Subject: RE: Hand Walking Your Horse
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 330 Location: northeast Texas
I have been competing in NATRC since 2003 and yes the way they ask you to lead has to do with safety only. They dont want you to get run over, stepped on, kicked, ar drug with a rope wrapped around your leg or wrist. NATRC is an educational competitive venue. Horsemanship judging in NATRC events shouldnt be like being judged in other showing venues. They explain what they like to see and why its beneficial. They will take off points in the spirit of being safe. Not just because its "wrong". But they will make comments (or they should) on your score card explaining why they like to see it done a different way. Or at ride briefings they will expand on things they have seen and why.
Hand Walking Your Horse
Anyway, lead your horse however you feel safe. Mine are about 4-5 ft behind me on a loose lead. But that's because they're busy pushing peanuts across the ground. I know where they are at just by the feel of the rope. A friend of ours used to lead with her arm straight out to the side, hand at the snap. It bothered the heck outta me. Her shoulder has never been the same since that horse spooked. Another friend (shorter lady) tucks herself up under her horse's neck and she wonders why she gets stepped on all the time.
They carry a long stick.