Mary Allen
One rider, two horses – there are good reasons to go for a ride with a hand horse: saving time, gently moving injured or old horses, or getting young horses used to the terrain. With the right training, riders and horses are safe on the road.
Riding with hand horses has a long tradition: where large distances had to be covered with the horse, the riders usually had a second four-legged friend with them, either as a reserve riding horse that stayed strong longer without the rider’s weight or as a pack animal that transported belongings. Even in our latitudes, you come across riders who are out and about with two horses. Especially now, in the holiday season, riding with “hand luggage” is high season. If you take care of one or more horses while their owners are enjoying their holiday, you quickly come under time pressure because you have to move more horses.
This is everyday life for owners of several horses. If there are no horse walkers, treadmills, or reliable riding participation available, a ride with a hand horse is a good alternative to give two horses a run at the same time. The method is also excellent for training convalescent horses without the additional burden of a rider’s weight, as well as gently moving old or unrideable horses in the fresh air.
Young horses get used to different environments by being led next to an experienced riding horse, are prepared for training under the rider, and strengthen their muscles and stamina.
If a riding horse is also trained as a hand horse, it is ideal for giving beginners without terrain experience their first rides. Carried along on a “safety line”, they can concentrate entirely on themselves. During this time, the guide is always at the side of the newcomer to explain and support them and has both animals under control.
With a Halter or Bridle
In order for a ride with a hand horse to be relaxed and safe, a number of requirements have to be met. The rider leading two horses must have a firm seat independent of the reins and be able to ride with one hand, concentrate on two four-legged friends at the same time and be able to influence the hand horse at any time.
The riding horse should have good basic training, be able to be steered with seat and weight aids, and have a stable character so that it remains calm when the lead horse demands more attention. It must be socially acceptable and readily accept other horses that walk closely alongside or behind it.
Even the hand horse must not have any problems with the proximity to other horses. Ideally, the two animals know and like each other. If the hand horse is still young, it must be trained so far that it is absolutely manageable. This means that during groundwork it has learned to let itself be led in different positions, to give way, to stop on command, and to start again. It must also be able to be sent backward without any problems, which is important if there is a bottleneck to be traversed later in the terrain.
What Equipment Does It Need?
Opinions differ about the equipment of the hand horse: some swear by a halter, others use a bridle with a snaffle. If the halter is used, make sure that it fits well and is not too big, otherwise, the horse’s head can slip through. A rope halter appears sharper due to the thin cords and can cause pain to the horse if you have to exert a stronger force.
A good alternative is cavessons, like those used for lunging. The hand horse can be influenced most
effectively when it is wearing a bridle with a snaffle. To do this, the reins are removed so that the lead rope does not get tangled in it. Unless you take a beginner with you, who can then practice guiding the reins independently. The lead rope must never be hooked into one of the snaffle rings: if the horse pulls on it, the metal can cause painful injuries in the mouth. Lunging goggles are best, which you hook into both snaffle rings and attach the rope to the ring provided. So parades like riding are possible.
The leash is a strong cord made of cotton or plastic. It must be long enough for the hand horse to be able to walk behind the riding horse in narrow passages – a good two meters should be sufficient. If the rope is longer, you have more leeway, but the risk of tangling is correspondingly greater. At one end there should be light but strong carabiner, definitely not a panic hook that opens when pulled. A knot at the other end of the leash prevents slipping.
The rider wears gloves, otherwise, it can hurt when the horse pulls. Under no circumstances should the rope be wrapped around your hand or attached to the riding horse, both of which can end badly if the lead horse tries to break free. In an emergency, the rider must be able to let go so as not to be pulled out of the saddle and injured by the hand horse. An agitated horse running loose is also a safety risk, but it will not usually stray too far from the lead horse and can be caught again.
Practice in a Safe Environment First
In areas where there are many pedestrians and cyclists on the paths or roads that occasionally have to be crossed, the lead horse should walk on the right side so that it cannot turn into traffic approaching from behind. The rider holds the reins of his riding horse in his left hand, as well as the end of the lead rope, his right-hand takes over the leading of the hand horse, but can also take the reins of the riding horse if necessary.
The rider has the best influence and the best view of the hand horse when it walks at a small distance next to the riding horse, with his head level with the rider’s leg. The hand horse must not rush forward and have its head in front of that of the saddle horse, otherwise, it may push the saddle horse off. The horse on the leash should be able to walk behind the riding horse for a short time, for example, to make room for pedestrians or to ride through a narrow space, but it must not permanently fall behind and crawl behind the riding horse.
Before the three of you go into the woods and across the fields, you should try and practice in a riding hall or a fenced riding arena. Appropriately trained, hand horses can be ridden at any gait. However, care should be taken when cantering so that an uncontrolled race does not develop between the two horses.
However, once a trio has worked together well, riding with a hand horse not only enables two horses to be exercised in nature at once but is also fun and promotes good cooperation and communication between the two- and four-legged friends involved.