How to Leg up Your Horse
Legging up simply means muscling up your horse, but doing it from the lead line. Legging up your horse is an easy to get them back into shape after a long season off, or recovering from sickness or injury. It's easy on their joints and you get your exercise as well. This exercise is perfect for young horses before training under saddle starts. It also helps with the horse's mind, giving them a purpose and a change of pace from pasture stall life.
Here are some tips for successful walks in hand:
1. Make it quiet
Don't expect your cooped up horse to be polite when everyone else at the barn is being fed. Go after the feeding. If the horse does not want to go alone, go with a friend. If you are confident, you can walk two horses in hand.
2. Good footing
Make sure that where you are walking is easy for you to lead the horse and the horse can get through easily as well without reinjuring themselves. Save the water or deep snow for later. Make sure you wear good shoes that protect your toes and have good soles for grip.
3. Focus
This is not a time to be on your phone or wear ear buds. Focus on your horse and surroundings.
4. No grazing
This is a time for exercise and not eating. Don't let your horse put his head down to eat.
5. No bossing
Never let the horse boss you around. Make sure you are in control.
6. Wear gloves
Just in case your horse pulls make sure you have gloves on to prevent your hands from getting burn blisters. This will help with your confidence and your strength.
7. Plan it out
If you don't have a different plan as to how long, how far, how fast, how often, talk it out with your coach, trainer, or veterinarian. You don't want to over do it.
For more information on horsemanship and conditioning, refer to the Rider levels.
Here are some tips for successful walks in hand:
1. Make it quiet
Don't expect your cooped up horse to be polite when everyone else at the barn is being fed. Go after the feeding. If the horse does not want to go alone, go with a friend. If you are confident, you can walk two horses in hand.
2. Good footing
Make sure that where you are walking is easy for you to lead the horse and the horse can get through easily as well without reinjuring themselves. Save the water or deep snow for later. Make sure you wear good shoes that protect your toes and have good soles for grip.
3. Focus
This is not a time to be on your phone or wear ear buds. Focus on your horse and surroundings.
4. No grazing
This is a time for exercise and not eating. Don't let your horse put his head down to eat.
5. No bossing
Never let the horse boss you around. Make sure you are in control.
6. Wear gloves
Just in case your horse pulls make sure you have gloves on to prevent your hands from getting burn blisters. This will help with your confidence and your strength.
7. Plan it out
If you don't have a different plan as to how long, how far, how fast, how often, talk it out with your coach, trainer, or veterinarian. You don't want to over do it.
For more information on horsemanship and conditioning, refer to the Rider levels.
