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Run with your horse: 5 Tips for a great and safe experience

Tina Bjerre Nielsen | december 6, 2024

Have you ever tried going for a run with your horse? With proper safety measures and a bit of practical thinking, it can be a truly rewarding experience. Photo: Malgré Tout.

Have you ever considered going for a run with your horse? Until quite recently, I was fairly skeptical about the concept. After all, a horse is both a fast and rather large running companion to bring along. However, after figuring out what it takes to make the experience more enjoyable, safer, and downright pleasant, it has actually become a weekly routine.

Here are the best tips for running with your horse

Attach a lunging delta to the bit

First and foremost, a lunging delta with a lead rope is an excellent tool. If you’re running with a bridle on your horse—which is definitely preferable unless your horse is accustomed to bitless riding—the delta strap ensures you don’t pull unevenly on the bit. Additionally, as the runner, you only need to hold a single lead rope instead of a set of reins. This makes it much easier to manage your horse while running and allows you to guide them away from you if they get too close.

use a delta strap for lunging when running with your horse. this makes it easier to control the horse, and you won’t have to manage two reins. photo malgré tout. — *Use a delta strap for lunging when running with your horse. This makes it easier to control the horse, and you won’t have to manage two reins. Photo: Malgré Tout*

We recommend using a lunging connector that is as small as possible without being too small for your horse. This makes it easier to control them.

Hold the rope like bicycle handlebars

How you hold the lead rope attached to the connector strap is important. When running without a horse, it’s usually most comfortable to keep your arms bent along your sides. You can achieve the same position even with a horse beside you. Simply hold the rope as if it were bicycle handlebars, then rotate your hands upright.

This allows you to control your horse with your inner hand while still maintaining the running posture that’s most comfortable for you. Refer to the illustration at the top of the article for guidance.

by holding the rope with both hands as if it were bicycle handlebars, you can run with your arms in the same way as if you were running without your horse. photo malgré tout. — *By holding the rope with both hands as if it were bicycle handlebars, you can run with your arms in the same way as if you were running without your horse. Photo: Malgré Tout*

Use a boot

From bitter experience, we can tell you that as a runner, it’s essential to protect your ankle and heel on the outer side of your inner leg when running alongside a horse. Especially if your horse has large, sweeping movements, they can easily bump into their two-legged running partner in those particularly sensitive spots.

A neoprene brushing boot is perfect for this purpose. It provides excellent coverage for the ankle and is not at all uncomfortable to wear around your leg.

photo malgré tout. — *Place a brushing boot on the outside of the leg that faces the horse. Photo: Malgré Tout*

Run in intervals

Running, for example, 5 kilometers straight with your horse is rarely an option. Whether you’re running on roads, in the forest, or elsewhere in nature, there will be areas where it’s not safe to run with such a large animal—for both your safety and that of others.

at løbe med sin hest eller pony kan være en dejlig og sund adspredelse for begge parter. illustration malgré tout — *Running with your horse or pony can be a delightful and healthy activity for both parties. Illustration: Malgré Tout*

Instead, think of running with your horse as a form of interval training, where you alternate between running and walking sections. Additionally, having a horse by your side often makes you run faster than you otherwise would, making it an ideal way to incorporate interval training into your routine.

Slow down to a walk when:

You’re passing pedestrians or cyclists.
The path becomes too narrow for both you and your horse to pass comfortably.
You’re in close proximity to cars and other vehicles.
You’re in a densely populated area where people, dogs, or even cars might suddenly appear around a corner.

slow down to a walk if the space on the road or trail becomes narrow. photo malgré tout. (1) — *Slow down to a walk if the space on the road or trail becomes narrow. Photo: Malgré Tout*

Remember your riding helmet

Even though you’re not sitting on your horse’s back, a run with a half-ton animal can still go wrong. Your horse might accidentally step on you, and in the worst-case scenario, you could fall under them.

That’s why we strongly recommend running with a riding helmet. It not only keeps you safer but also makes the experience more enjoyable, as you’ll feel more secure.

remember to wear a riding helmet when running with your horse. photo malgré tout. (400 x 300 px) — *Remember to wear a riding helmet when running with your horse. Photo: Malgré Tout*

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Run with your horse: 5 Tips for a great and safe experience