Your new horse is gorgeous. you proudly start to bring her out of the stall for your friends to admire, but she takes one look at the great, wide world through the stall door and refuses to budge. First you tug. Then you lean hard on the lead rope, your body making a 45-degree angle to the ground like Captain Jack Sparrow trying to drag the black pearl through an ocean of sand. "Ima Diva" cooperatively stretches her neck to the fullest possible reach without budging her feet. Come to think of it, the trainer you bought her from always presented her ready to ride.
Or maybe you're helping a bunch of 4-H kids. Little Joey's family doesn't have much money, but they managed to get him a horse at a good price that's said to be bombproof. And he certainly seems to be that. The poor kid doesn't so much lead "Ol' Molasses" around the pattern as drag him. Oh, and he takes about half an hour to get into a trailer.
Or maybe you're helping out at a barn, just getting to know the horses. That sharp little "Sparky" seems a trifle eager as you bring him in from the field. As you approach the gate, whomp! He charges past and slams his shoulder into you, knocking you into the fence. That hurt… and Sparky shows a clean pair of heels as he disappears down the road.
Follow the Leader
- Poor leading behavior isn't a respect issue; it's the result of insufficient training.
- Solid leading manners are essential for safety.
- When you lead, your horse should match your speed on a slack line.
- By being consistent, your horse will learn to pick up on your body language.
- It's easiest to start with the horse bridled, but good manners soon transfer to a halter and lead rope.
None of these horses is a pleasure to handle on the ground. Perhaps whoever did their initial training was rushed. Or maybe the horses were raised by owners who just didn't know there is more to teaching a horse to lead than dragging him along or holding him back. But the fact is, none of these horses knows how to lead properly-and they are a long road from being unique. In fact, so many horses do not lead well, that a lot of people have never handled a horse that really does "know the ropes." This is not good. And while Ima Diva and Ol' Molasses are frustrating, Sparky is dangerous.
You Ride the Horse You Lead
Some people don't think getting leading right is as important as getting the right lead. They seem to think that it's okay for their horse to have lousy ground manners because he's "fine" when they're in the saddle. These are the folks who tell a prospective buyer, "Well, yeah, he's a bit touchy on the ground, but wait until you see him over fences!" Or heading a cow! Or rounding a barrel!
Leading, however, is the basis for nearly all horse training. We teach it for our safety, for the horse's safety, and for control. If there are holes in a horse's leading manners, there are holes in his training. Period. And "touchy" on the ground usually translates into at least unpleasant and often downright unsafe behavior. Your goal is to have a safe, wonderful experience when you are riding. There is no reason to expect anything less on the ground.
