There are a few easy steps to leading a horse safely through a gate, barn or stall door. This method avoids letting a horse go, and standing in a position where you can get kicked if the horse decides to run off when you've let him go.
Difficulty: Easy
Time Required: Very Little
Here's How:
- Stop your horse in front of the stall door or gate, whether the gate or door is opened or closed. Read How to Lead Your Horse to learn to safely lead your horse.
- If the gate or door is closed, use one hand to open it, and with the other (probably your right hand) hold onto the lead rope attached to your horse. If the opening is narrow, make your horse stand and wait until you go through and step to the side. Then ask your horse to walk through. Do not, at any time, loop the lead rope or reins around your hand.
- Once you are through the opening, turn your horse around so that it is facing you. Pull the door or gate closed to the point where the horse can't get out, but you can. If the horse tries to crowd you, ask it to back up a few steps.
- Unsnap the lead rope from the halter, freeing the horse and step back through the opening.
- Close and latch the gate or door.
Tips:
- Learn to lead your horse safely.
- Learn to lead with the reins with this tip filled video.
- Many people feel it is safer for a horse to be turned out without the halter. If this is the case, slip that halter off instead of detaching the lead rope
What You Need
- Your horse
- A halter on your horse.
- A lead rope.
