is it OK to lead by halter alone?

SweetIron · 05-11-2005, 09:37 AM

Once in awhile, to bring Emily in from the pasture, my BF will grab her by the halter. He says that she seems resistant when he does this. I say, it is because he's applying constant pressure (by grabbing the ring on the bottom of the halter) and Emily is thinking "OK, I am stepping forward for this guy, and he is not releasing the pressure!) I have led her in with a leadrope many times and she has never shown any indication of balking.
I am going to have to train the boyfriend, I think. He is still a pretty green horseman, hehe.

CowGirlUp1833 · 05-11-2005, 09:38 AM

I agree, its safer to use a lead rope too...just in case; it gives you more control.

Cool Time 84 · 05-11-2005, 09:49 AM

It's definately SAFER to lead with a LEAD ROPE, that is after all why they were made.

It's OKAY if you have NO CHOICE, to just grab the halter and go, but if there is a lead rope, you're best to use it.

SweetIron · 05-11-2005, 09:52 AM

Yeah, I told him that if she decided to suddenly rear up or even startle, he would be in trouble! But he did it anyway; it was more of an "in a pinch" thing since the leadropes were all the way in the barn. But next time I am grabbing one just for plain safety when we go out in the field.

Cool Time 84 · 05-11-2005, 09:55 AM

My dad got hurt really bad leading his horse without a lead. So we make it a practice to always try to have leads handy.

HooDoo · 05-11-2005, 09:57 AM

You should never lead by the halter. You are correct in thinking about the pressure.
Also, what would your boyfriend do if out of the blue a big black dog came bounding out around the corner or a car backfires? He has no control with no lead line.
Now take your BF back to the roundpen for some more groundwork!

Shotgun93 · 05-11-2005, 09:58 AM

I would train him to not use the halter! It's dangerous not to use a lead rope, it's the same as holding on the the lead rope at the snap and dragging your horse around.

steph2005 · 05-11-2005, 09:59 AM

i don't know i've lead cinnamon, and oreo without a lead plenty of times.

oreo actually did better without the rope, she didn't seem so confused.

aBreeze · 05-11-2005, 10:05 AM

It really shouldnt be that big a deal... as long as your not constantly pulling. I am always leading by halters, manes, or necks to go from one place to another. I grab my horse pull them a couple feet they realise I want them to come with me and from there they just follow me to the pasture, paddock, tie post

horse_luvr83 · 05-11-2005, 10:05 AM

i sometimes lead by the halter, and i use the side by the cheek, no underneath, and they lead fine. it's safer to lead with a lead rope though,more control, and if something spooks them, you're not right under their hooves, and have enough room to keep a hold, and calm them down.JMO though

05-11-2005, 09:37 AM	#1
SweetIron Senior Member+ Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: ARCADE, NY Posts: 1,991 Images: 147	is it OK to lead by halter alone? Once in awhile, to bring Emily in from the pasture, my BF will grab her by the halter. He says that she seems resistant when he does this. I say, it is because he's applying constant pressure (by grabbing the ring on the bottom of the halter) and Emily is thinking "OK, I am stepping forward for this guy, and he is not releasing the pressure!) I have led her in with a leadrope many times and she has never shown any indication of balking. I am going to have to train the boyfriend, I think. He is still a pretty green horseman, hehe. __________________ -Jen- and.. Cuesta 1999 solid APHA.. gotta register her.. a DocBar granddaughter.. Emma 1999 Tovero mare; as misunderstood as me..

05-11-2005, 09:49 AM	#3
Cool Time 84 Senior Member+ Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Posts: 6,027 Images: 883 Blog Entries: 2	It's definately SAFER to lead with a LEAD ROPE, that is after all why they were made. It's OKAY if you have NO CHOICE, to just grab the halter and go, but if there is a lead rope, you're best to use it. __________________ *STOP = Spin Tires On Pavement!* *Proud Owner of Sonnys Vegasshowgirl* *And proud mommy of 3*

05-11-2005, 09:52 AM	#4
SweetIron Senior Member+ Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: ARCADE, NY Posts: 1,991 Images: 147	Yeah, I told him that if she decided to suddenly rear up or even startle, he would be in trouble! But he did it anyway; it was more of an "in a pinch" thing since the leadropes were all the way in the barn. But next time I am grabbing one just for plain safety when we go out in the field. __________________ -Jen- and.. Cuesta 1999 solid APHA.. gotta register her.. a DocBar granddaughter.. Emma 1999 Tovero mare; as misunderstood as me..

05-11-2005, 09:55 AM	#5
Cool Time 84 Senior Member+ Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Posts: 6,027 Images: 883 Blog Entries: 2	My dad got hurt really bad leading his horse without a lead. So we make it a practice to always try to have leads handy. __________________ *STOP = Spin Tires On Pavement!* *Proud Owner of Sonnys Vegasshowgirl* *And proud mommy of 3*

05-11-2005, 09:57 AM	#6
HooDoo Full Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: New Hampshire Posts: 115 Images: 1	You should never lead by the halter. You are correct in thinking about the pressure. Also, what would your boyfriend do if out of the blue a big black dog came bounding out around the corner or a car backfires? He has no control with no lead line. Now take your BF back to the roundpen for some more groundwork! __________________ http://www.horsegroomingsupplies.com...ture_thumb.gif

05-11-2005, 09:38 AM	#2
CowGirlUp1833 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: On the Lake Michigan Shoreline Posts: 17,367 Images: 438 Blog Entries: 41	I agree, its safer to use a lead rope too...just in case; it gives you more control.

05-11-2005, 09:58 AM	#7
Shotgun93 Senior Moderator Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Southwest SD Posts: 14,941 Images: 133	I would train him to not use the halter! It's dangerous not to use a lead rope, it's the same as holding on the the lead rope at the snap and dragging your horse around. __________________ In the quiet light of the stable, you hear a muffled snort, the stamp of a hoof, a friendly nicker. Gentle eyes inquire, "How was your day old friend?" and suddenly, all your troubles fade away. -Author Unknown

05-11-2005, 09:59 AM	#8
steph2005 Senior Member+ Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: michigan Posts: 1,411 Images: 54	i don't know i've lead cinnamon, and oreo without a lead plenty of times. oreo actually did better without the rope, she didn't seem so confused. __________________ DOLLY- RAT TERRIER, RUSTY- RAT TERRIER, DOODLE- CHINESE CRESTED, MAC- ENGLISH BULLDOG, SPROCKET- TOY FOX TERRIER, OLGA- PUGGLE, 3 SAVANAH MONITERS, 13 GARTER SNAKES.

05-11-2005, 10:05 AM	#9
aBreeze Senior Member+ Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 5,802 Images: 135 Blog Entries: 1	It really shouldnt be that big a deal... as long as your not constantly pulling. I am always leading by halters, manes, or necks to go from one place to another. I grab my horse pull them a couple feet they realise I want them to come with me and from there they just follow me to the pasture, paddock, tie post __________________ Some say our national pastime is baseball. Not me. It's gossip. Erma Bombeck I was on HGS when we made 3 million posts!

05-11-2005, 10:05 AM	#10
horse_luvr83 Senior Member+ Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Huntsville,Tx Posts: 4,821 Images: 218	i sometimes lead by the halter, and i use the side by the cheek, no underneath, and they lead fine. it's safer to lead with a lead rope though,more control, and if something spooks them, you're not right under their hooves, and have enough room to keep a hold, and calm them down.JMO though __________________ "If my horse doesn't like you, what makes you think i will?" My video http://media.putfile.com/Toby_Crook

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