Leading a horse (basic question)

[Nimbus65]

This is a very basic question, I know, but I'm confused by something that happened over the summer.

I've always been taught that you lead a horse from the left and that if a horse is tacked up (and doesn't have a contraption like a martingale on), you pass the reins over the head to lead.

When the girls and I rode at a friend's yard over the summer, were all told to lead with the rains still on the horse's neck to mitigate the risk of the horse treading on them if it ran off.

Which is right?

N

[LindaAd]

This is a very basic question, I know, but I'm confused by something that happened over the summer.

I've always been taught that you lead a horse from the left and that if a horse is tacked up (and doesn't have a contraption like a martingale on), you pass the reins over the head to lead.

When the girls and I rode at a friend's yard over the summer, were all told to lead with the rains still on the horse's neck to mitigate the risk of the horse treading on them if it ran off.

Which is right?

N

I was always taught like you, Nimbus - take the reins over the head.

I can't see how leaving the reins on the neck would make it less likely for the horse to tread on you - I'd have thought it made it more likely, unless the plan was that you let go, when the reins on the neck would make it less likely that the horse would tread on the reins and break them ...

But if I'm only leading the horse a short distance, say a few steps to the mounting block, or to the gate to untack, then I don't bother to take the reins over the head.

[Ginger Thing]

I can't see how leaving the reins on the neck would make it less likely for the horse to tread on you

I think she meant for the horse to tread on the reins, not the person leading him.

I was also taught to take the reins over the head, but I don't - I only lead to the school or field so if horse got free he would only be on the yard and would at least not break his reins. We can let them go and they'll go back to the stable by themselves!

If I had to lead on the road I would take the reins over the head as it does give more control.

[nicolaj]

It is right to lead with the reins over the head. If he snatched his head away if you have the reins over the head at least you would be able to keep hold of them.

If I only have to lead to mounting block or school then I just lead with reins over his head.

[Wobblydeb]

I think it is similar to leading a horse just using his headcollar, versus leading one with a leadrope attached.

The reins over the head give you more control, and is certainly how the BHS teach leading. However for short distances e.g. to the mounting block there's little need... :)

[Nimbus65]

Thanks all - I thought I was going crazy. You've all described what I do - lead properly if I'm walking down main yard to one of the schools (it's through two busy yards and/or a car park so the control is a good idea) but not bother if I'm just heading for the mounting block.

The instructor at the other yard was actually telling us we should ALWAYS lead w/ the reins on the horse's neck (riding position) so that the horse didn't step on them if it got away from us . . . I thought that was odd and it confused my girls as none of us had heard it before.

N

[cazrider]

Out of interest, I was taught that you DON'T take the reins over the horse's head when you're leading, as if you or the horse pulls, you would cause pain from the bit (if it's a snaffle) hitting the roof of the horse's mouth. Whereas if the reins are not over the horse's head the angle is different so wouldn't have the same effect..