walking fast on turns

Question

walking fast   hello ma'am, i believe that this horse is walking faster than the handler during the turn while being led. am i correct? when i led horses, most of them walked quickly on the turn while in the straight they walked evenly with me. may i know what magic there in the turn?

Answer
Rohit,

It is part of a horse's training to teach them to lead correctly and at the proper position. The correct position is generally thought to be opposite the horse's throatlatch. (approximately where their head ends and their neck stops, i.e. the area where the throatlatch of a bridle is positioned.

If the horse  starts to pull ahead of his leader, there are several methods to use. A pull and release on the lead rope or reins may suffice. You can also teach them to lead using a dressage whip in front of the horse held in the handler's left hand. The purpose is not to ever hit the horse...just to use the whip as a kind of barrier in front of him. You can wave the whip in front of the horse to back him off and make him aware of his correct "space".

The horse pictured is close to being in a position that would make it hard to control him. He is on the point of swinging his haunches to the outside, but as long as the handler can keep control of his head he should be able to keep the horse under control.

If the horse turns away, he will push his shoulder into the leader and may will be able to get away from him. This picture looks fairly mild. The horse does not look very excited or upset.

Mitzi