If you own, or ride a horse, knowing how to lead one is very important! In this article I will outline the the basics of leading a calm, experienced horse.
Put the head collar on, and ask the horse to stand. Clip the leadrope to the metal ring under the horse’s chin. Stand on the horses left side, and grasp the rope near the horses head in your right hand. The left hand backs up the right by holding the end of the rope. You may make loose coils with the rope, and hold it, however, never wrap the leadrope round your hand, as the horse may get a fright and pull, and your fingers and hand can be badly injured, or you may be pulled over and trodden on.
To ask the horse to move forward move your right hand forward slightly, say ”walk on” and start walking decisively and confidently, and the horse should follow you.
If you want to slow the horse down, say ”steady” and slow down yourself. If the horse does not slow down, put pressure on the rope. If the horse continues to pull forward, give the horse a sharp jerk down the leadrope. This should have an immediate effect.
The same principle can be used to make the horse stop, however you should say ”stop”, ”halt” or ”whoa”.
