HOW TO LEAD YOUR HORSE

Leading a horse is a basic groundwork component every horse owner uses... here are Joseph's thoughts on leading your horses. Finding a system that works for you and adjusting to fit each horse is the best.

[@alfie8953]

Thank you. i hope a few riding instructors are watching your channel!

[@dawnaustin4556]

Having been in both worlds, Western and English, I agree with you 💯. It takes a little practice but the horses do learn it. I got tired of getting injured(stepped on, pushed on). So I lead my horses now. They seem happier following which is natural to them anyway. I do have to adjust to each personality. My horse was gelded later retained stallion traits so he’s not a follow behind guy but he’s given in to me a lot. Work in progress.

[@elizabethdaffron8440]

You're the best Joseph! Love watching and learning from you!!

[@theoldhorseladylejeune3662]

Love at the end of the video when you say: its not what you do it,s how you do it.

[@JosephNewcomb]

It’s so true. :)

[@ZingaroXIV]

I typically default to how I was taught, the English way of walking from a position next to the horse's head. BUT ... My horse, for example, is a sweet, affectionate gelding. I don't mind displays of affection, but generally they will evolve to play if unchecked. And the play behaviors will evolve to leadership/dominance challenges if unchecked. When this occurs, I'll go back to some kindergarten ground work as remedial exercises, including changing the way we walk in hand. I have him follow me when we're in these corrective phases. Not all horses, but many, are said to interpret walking next to you as a sign of equality, while walking behind is a sign of being lower in the herd hierarchy. My horse generally responds to me leading from 2-3 feet in front of him as a clear signal that I lead, he follows, and that's the natural order. When we're back to normal, I'll invite him to walk with me. So - it even varies with the same horse. I've used this technique with some horses but it really doesn't communicate the same way to all horses. Thanks for the video! You remind us that even just walking in hand is part of horse world and relationships.

[@ambertaylor1387]

Beautifully said, to many people try to fit into a certain type. Better to find what works best for you and that individual horse rather then adapting someone else’s complete style of doing something.

[@lucybridgwater7301]

This is just like being a good parent ! Love them and leave them, adjust to the individual, so get you ! X

[@kippen64]

Thanks for this video. There is no room for must, should and always when dealing with horses. It was such a thrill to hear you say that there isn't one set way to do things with horses. As someone who has been belittled for suggesting that this is so, I was relieved to have a public person of good repute also say it.

[@Moppel9014]

Hey Joseph, I hope you and your family and horses are all safe from the fires. Take care.

[@seasands9644]

Amen!!!🌷"Don't try cramming them into YOUR box!" Love it...They will too.😘 So glad your safe from the fires...

[@Moppel9014]

That’s horsemanship ‘what works for your horse’ sometimes I feel that relates to a horse and rider combo too 😄

[@libbylynett1923]

Thank you for taking the time to make this video on a seemingly easy topic...but there is no definitive rule book with horses and these basics are so important.

[@smug8567]

That first one, the "heliographic engraving" of the man leading the horse, that comes from a time when Beethoven was still alive.

[@donnashort9634]

I'm an RN and I have been for over 30 years. I've worked with the live human all of that time. I'm not altogether sure I've been appreciated. Right now I'm not even sure it has made me happy. It has paid the bills. I fear my ship has sailed as far as horses is concerned. But....an experience I wish I had.

[@keldel7114]

I need eyes in the back of my head with my very playful 5 yr old stock horse gelding... play soon leads to dominance if i dont watch him, so i switch between methods with how i lead to keep him thinking... Hope you are all safe from the wildfires, thinking of you here in Australia... we have our hot dry summer approaching fast. 😩 Love your vids and im subscribed!! 😘

[@JulietteJeantyPressler]

For my horse and I, I like being able to lead in both ways. My horses from the very start learn to respect my space, and are easily “in tune” with me and my body language so that I can define what I need them to do in any given time. I’ve learned that this level of communication definitely takes daily attention and handling in order to develop, because I’m not able to lead other people’s horses in the same way at all. It’s definitely a pet peeve of mine when I’m leading someone else’s horse, and they either try to spook into me or want to be in my space all of the time...

[@boomama72]

What works for every individual horse! Yes! I love the way you are able to fuse natural horsemanship and the English tradition too. It's fantastic and inspiring instruction. Many thanks from Australia :)

[@lindav3747]

Good and informative. Not cheesy at all.

[@boomama72]

Have to say I’m surprised about the low hits on this video compared to your others. It’s one of my favourites and so important! I’d like to see more of your natural horsemanship skills Joseph :)

[@sandrawheeler1521]

Joseph I love watching your vidio's. I can't ride at the mo as unwell. But I love to watch and have learn't so much about horseman ship from your approach. I love your natural way with your horses. Its all about understanding how a horse thinks, learns and processes information. When I backed schooled my first horse at 3 years. Aged 21. I knew little compared to what i know now. But with a huge bond, trust, common sense and gentle but firmness. My beautiful boy . Trusted me to teach him...I think trust and respect are key..from chilly UK.. So sunny in California..well Jel. Ha ha..You have some extreemly beautiful horses Joseph. Xx

[@JosephNewcomb]

Thank you so much Sandra. This is so cool to hear.

[@elianalancaster8081]

Thank you! This video has given me a lot to think about with my own horse. Thank you for offering your perspective in such a clear and graceful way. I find your channel so uplifting, and it inspires me to become a better horsewoman--one who listens to her horses' needs.

[@JosephNewcomb]

Thank you so much. I’m glad that you like the videos and they are helpful.

[@ingridblohm-hyde805]

This video was instrumental for me. My horsemanship instructor is mainly western and she likes to walk ahead of the horse. My riding teacher is mainly english focused and insists that walking at the shoulder is the safe way to go. Now I get it that both ways are correct, we need to see what the horse prefers. Thank you so much for this information, a real eye opener for me.

[@vasilikiharvey8543]

Timely for me! I have a 2.5 yr old Lusitano filly and have been working her in hand as you have suggested via your channel. So far, so GREAT! Keep the young horse training suggestions coming! I'm all ears. :)

[@Pferdecoach]

hey i do it also in both ways naturally and in addition to that sometimes i lead a horse by going next to horses right shoulder ...yes you are right people even here in internet struggle about "theirs is the true one"..or they create new names for "their " new horsemanship......ha ha...today i saw a crazy video in youtube : a woman rollin with her horse in the sand when the horse was rollin and then trainer copied the trot as a human and the breathing of the horse and they called it motiva training for horses - maybe horsemanship by esoteric people .....ha ha...but thats too much for me, so i am glad that you, Joseph, are still normal in your videos ! ......*smile*......didnt expect thats such a long way to your barn but nice to see how it is in California

[@brandonsszumski4229]

Thanks Joseph Newcomb for making great videos. I love being subscribe to your channel.🐎

[@the_rivers_fam250]

Just thank you for that!

[@maryannwettstein-stoothoff1154]

Joseph, my horse is 17.3 and I'm only 5'5"...his strides are so much longer than mine and it's tough to get him to walk slow enough to keep up with him. He will stop when I stop if I do a slight lean back as a cue for him and lean forward slightly to walk again. I find myself having to stop him frequently just to keep our pace. I guess it just takes more repetition to make him understand what I need for him. He's such a big boy.

[@annieshattuck8171]

Love your attitude towards horses...If you ever come to vegas Id love you to do a class or work with me and my horse...awesome

[@MrTjs1972]

love your content

[@Zaegel74]

Hope you are safe with all the fires we hear about in CA. A positive shout out for you and your family would be appreciated. I enjoy your films and horses, but get concerned as well.

[@rebeccaferguson7734]

haha, I also found the cowboy way improved the "at the shoulder" response/safety......schooling that all out became essential for the OTTBs

[@yesterdayfarm5273]

Good video, nicely done! 👍👍👍 @2:33: Why the correction?

[@gerrycoleman7290]

It depends. I am the fair and trusted leader. There are times when I want the horse to be behind me. There are times for us to be shoulder to shoulder. He wants to be where I ask. He will look for the subtle cue that lets him know which.

[@trina3548]

Do what’s best for the horse ❤️👍🏻

[@naunettemartin7450]

I like it

[@jameswoodard6271]

Very insightful, thanks.

[@rd8322]

Hi Joseph It's René. Nice flogs thnxs 😄Yes we want to lead our horse. Yes we want to communicate. It is obvious we Ask things from ourselves and from our horse. The Thing Is do we want to learn from our horse? Or do we just want a good time, for ourselves and Our Horse has to ' give ' it? I do hope so much it is both. Greetings from the Netherlands

[@cindynoble2037]

Not cheesy at all!!! 🐴🐴🐴👍👍👍

[@leealexander3507]

I prefer Sweetheart next to me because when he becomes bored he playfully leaps on my heels. It's not really a big deal. Just kind of annoying. If he's next to me I can keep one eye on him and know a moment in advance what to expect. How I lead depends on the individual horse.

[@charlottebindslev132]

👍🌞🐎

[@dawnmcmenamin6192]

Question for the dressage world.. Do trainer's allow riders not in training with them, watch lessons?

[@bryanlund9098]

You’re only a leader if someone’s following. Haha.