Q&A for How to Lead a Horse

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Question

Why do you need to know how to lead a horse?

Kate Jutagir
Equestrian Specialist & Trainer
Kate Jutagir is an Equestrian Specialist, Hunter/Jumper Trainer, and the Owner of Blackhound Equestrian, a premier training barn located on 65 acres in Castro Valley, California. Originally designed to be a riding school used as a springboard for dedicated students into careers in the sport, Blackhound Equestrian has grown into a hunter/jumper training program for all levels focusing on providing a solid foundation needed for personal advancement in the sport. Kate has over 25 years of equestrian instruction and training experience. Her focus on developing horse and rider partnerships provides a complete equestrian education for both beginners and advanced riders alike.

Kate Jutagir

Equestrian Specialist & Trainer

Expert Answer

It's a foundational skill for anything else you're going to teach your horse to do. It's also essential if you're going to bond with your horse and keep them calm when you're getting on and off.

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Question

When can I start leading a horse?

Kate Jutagir
Equestrian Specialist & Trainer
Kate Jutagir is an Equestrian Specialist, Hunter/Jumper Trainer, and the Owner of Blackhound Equestrian, a premier training barn located on 65 acres in Castro Valley, California. Originally designed to be a riding school used as a springboard for dedicated students into careers in the sport, Blackhound Equestrian has grown into a hunter/jumper training program for all levels focusing on providing a solid foundation needed for personal advancement in the sport. Kate has over 25 years of equestrian instruction and training experience. Her focus on developing horse and rider partnerships provides a complete equestrian education for both beginners and advanced riders alike.

Kate Jutagir

Equestrian Specialist & Trainer

Expert Answer

The earlier the better! Leading is a pretty basic skill in the grand scheme of things so it shouldn't take long for your horse to pick up on it.

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Question

How quickly can a horse learn how to be led?

Kate Jutagir
Equestrian Specialist & Trainer
Kate Jutagir is an Equestrian Specialist, Hunter/Jumper Trainer, and the Owner of Blackhound Equestrian, a premier training barn located on 65 acres in Castro Valley, California. Originally designed to be a riding school used as a springboard for dedicated students into careers in the sport, Blackhound Equestrian has grown into a hunter/jumper training program for all levels focusing on providing a solid foundation needed for personal advancement in the sport. Kate has over 25 years of equestrian instruction and training experience. Her focus on developing horse and rider partnerships provides a complete equestrian education for both beginners and advanced riders alike.

Kate Jutagir

Equestrian Specialist & Trainer

Expert Answer

It's all up to the horse and what they're comfortable with. If they aren't resistant and they're comfortable, it may only take them a few training sessions. Just take it slow and don't rush things.

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Question

Why do you always walk on the left side of a horse?

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
Veterinarian
Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS

Veterinarian

Expert Answer

This is purely a matter of convention and a hangover from when people wore swords on their left hip. Because mounting was easier standing on the horse's near or left side, this became the convention for leading a horse.

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Question

I have a mini horse that tries to bite my hand when I lead him standing still. How can I get him to stop?

Community Answer

Whenever my horse would try to bite my hand when I was leading, I would take the end of the lead rope and gently slap the horse's muzzle (just like someone would tap a dog on the nose for biting as a way of discipline). This seemed to work. You can also check out wikiHow's article on training your horse not to bite for some tips.

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Question

Should I always remove the halter from my horse after walking them?

Community Answer

Yes, if you're putting the horse in pasture, because the harness can get caught on a fence and your horse could be hurt. If you're putting them in the stall, it's probably not necessary.

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Question

What if the horse will not move after tapping the left ankle? Is it okay to use treats?

Community Answer

Yes.

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Question

I tried walking my pony for the first time and she would not move. What can I do?

Community Answer

Have her follow you. Get a bucket of grain or a treat and make her walk to it. Ponies are stubborn, but don't give up!

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Question

Can a draft animal be lead durning work rather than driven?

Crystal

Community Answer

Yes, sometimes in parades you'll see draft horses being led then driven! it helps to keep control of the horses.

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Question

Can I halter-train my horse if he is 2 months old?

Community Answer

Yes! You can start halter training as soon as possible. The younger you start, the better.

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Question

How do I make a draft horse step down onto another floor that is lower than his stall floor?

Leopard star

Community Answer

Encourage him with a strongly scented treat, and reward and pet him for every step.

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Question

How can I stop my horse going down for the grass all the time when I am leading her?

Equestriangoose

Top Answerer

Walk smartly and firmly say "No!" when she tries to stop for a snack. Try to hold up her head and keep walking.

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Question

How long does it take for the horse to learn? My buckskin saddle-bred red roan mix isn't following my commands? What do I do?

Equestriangoose

Top Answerer

From my experience, horses usually learn how to be led at the walk in about 1-3 weeks. Look into clicker training where goals are broken up into small, easy, achievable steps.

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Question

I have a horse that will not get close to a whip; how can I help her understand it won't hurt her?

Equestriangoose

Top Answerer

Use a short whip and talk to her soothingly as you run the whip over her shoulders and haunches. Allow her to smell it first and give her a treat when she bumps it with her nose.

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Question

We are working with a rescue horse. He was stolen, bush raced, starved and abused. He has food aggression and bites. It's difficult to get him to even walk. What should we do?

Community Answer

He needs groundwork. Round penning is a great start, making him face you and respect you. Move those feet! Lunging will get him to respect you also.

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Question

Why is it advised to only have 15 cm or a foot of slack in the lead rope? Would it matter if there was 2 feet of rope between the horse's head and my hand?

Community Answer

It depends on the horse and his/her training. With most experienced horses, I don't even hold the rope. They just follow me. It is better to have enough rope so you can easily guide them, which is different for everybody because of arm length and height. Too little rope and too much rope won't give you enough leverage if you have to correct them.

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Question

What if a horse moves their head away from the halter so I can't put it on?

Community Answer

Take your lead rope and wrap it once around the horse's neck. Gently give little tugs with the rope until the horse brings his head back to you.

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