Best Leather Horse Leads of 2025

Jason Kiser Avatar
Jason Kiser
Last Updated: Jan 8, 2025

* We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation.

Leather horse leads are a popular choice among equestrians due to their durability and classic appearance. Made from high-quality leather, these leads are designed to withstand daily wear and tear while providing a secure grip for the handler. They come in various colors and lengths to suit different needs and preferences. Leather horse leads also offer a comfortable feel for the horse, allowing for better control and communication between the rider and the horse. Whether for everyday use or for special occasions, leather horse leads are a reliable and stylish option for any horse enthusiast.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

Weaver Leather Single-Ply Horse Lead with Chain Cover #TOP 1
Weaver Leather Single-Ply Horse Lead with Chain
ftb score rating icon 9.9
Royal King Leather Lead by Tough 1 Cover #TOP 2
Royal King Leather Lead by Tough 1
ftb score rating icon 9.8
Equinavia Valkyrie Leather Lead Shank Cover #TOP 3
Equinavia Valkyrie Leather Lead Shank
ftb score rating icon 9.6

Top 10 Leather Horse Leads

#TOP 1

Weaver Leather Single-Ply Horse Lead with Chain

30-0607-MH-6
Mahogany
1" x 6' w/24" Cha"
Weaver Leather Single-Ply Horse Lead with Chain Cover
Weaver Leather Single-Ply Horse Lead with Chain Mahogany, 1" x 6' w/24" Chain

This horse lead with chain features smoothed and darkened edges for comfort, a 24" brass plated chain for control, and matches mahogany bridle leather halters for style. Made by Weaver Leather in Mt. Hope, Ohio, this lead is perfect for horse owners who want a durable and stylish lead for their horse.

What We Like
Durable
Stylish
Comfortable for horse
#TOP 2

Royal King Leather Lead by Tough 1

18-100-32-0
Dark Oil
Royal King Leather Lead by Tough 1 Cover
Royal King Leather Lead with Nickel Chain - 1"

The Tough 1 Leather Lead is designed for durability and ease of use. Its flat leather construction ensures a comfortable grip, making it perfect for long periods of handling. The smoothed and finished edges add to your comfort and prevent any irritation during use. The nickel-plated chain not only enhances the lead’s strength but also adds a stylish touch when showing your horse. The convenient snap end allows for quick and easy attachment, making your experience smoother and hassle-free. This lead is an excellent choice for both everyday use and special occasions.

What We Like
Durable flat leather
Smooth, comfortable edges
Stylish nickel chain
Quick snap attachment
#TOP 3

Equinavia Valkyrie Leather Lead Shank

Equinavia
E22002-CBR
Chocolate Brown
One Size
Equinavia Valkyrie Leather Lead Shank Cover
Equinavia Valkyrie Leather Lead Shank with Brass Plated Chain | 65" Leather, 24" Shank - Chocolate Brown - One Size

Equinavia Leather Lead is a high-quality lead shank designed to complement the Valkyrie Triple Stitched halter. With a length of 65 inches (excluding shank) and a 24-inch BP shank with a trigger snap, this lead provides durability and ease of use. The matching design ensures a coordinated look for your horse. The trigger snap allows for quick and secure attachment, while the sturdy construction guarantees reliability during handling. This lead is a practical and stylish choice for your equine companion.

What We Like
High-quality materials
Trigger snap for easy attachment
Coordinated look with matching halter
#TOP 4

Weaver Leather Horse Lead with Chain

30-0609-MH-7
Mahogany
Weaver Leather Horse Lead with Chain Cover
Weaver Leather Single-Ply Horse Lead with Chain , Mahogany, 7'

The Weaver Leather Lead with Chain is a high-quality 7' horse lead designed by Weaver Leather. Crafted from rich mahogany bridle leather, this lead is tailored to complement the Weaver Leather halters. The smoothed and darkened edges enhance durability and style. Equipped with a 30-inch brass plated chain and snap, it provides secure handling. Its 7' length offers ample room for comfortable control during training or leading your horse. This lead ensures a strong grip, matches perfectly with Weaver Leather halters, and adds a touch of elegance to your equestrian gear.

What We Like
Durable Mahogany Leather
Matches Weaver Leather Halters
Secure Brass Plated Chain
#TOP 5

Derby Originals Leather Lead

30-3065-BLK-1.0
Black
Derby Originals Leather Lead Cover
Derby Originals Multipurpose Fancy Stitch Black Leather Lead for Cattle, Horses, or Dogs with Chain and Swivel Snap and One-Year Limited Warranty

The Derby Leather Lead is a versatile tool designed for handling cattle, horses, and dogs. It measures a total of 72 inches, providing ample length for safe and comfortable control of your animals. The 20-inch chain lead offers added durability and strength, making it ideal for training or managing more energetic pets. With a 52-inch leather portion, this lead ensures a firm grip while remaining comfortable in your hand. Available in classic black or rich Havana colors, this lead not only meets functional needs but also adds a touch of style to your gear.

What We Like
Versatile for multiple animals
Durable chain for strength
Comfortable leather grip
Stylish color options
#TOP 6

AJ Tack Nylon Lead Rope

248273
Brown
AJ Tack Nylon Lead Rope Cover
AJ Tack 9 Foot Nylon Lead Rope with Leather Popper Brown

The AJ Tack Rope Brown is a 9-foot nylon lead rope designed for horses. It features a leather popper at the end, a removable brass plated quick release bolt snap, and is colored in brown. The leather popper end adds durability and control, while the quick release bolt snap provides easy attachment and detachment. With a length of 9 feet, this lead rope offers ample space for handling your horse comfortably and securely.

What We Like
Durable leather popper
Quick release bolt snap
9-foot length for control
#TOP 7

Derby Originals Leather Lead

30-3064
Havana
1 Width
Derby Originals Leather Lead Cover
Derby Originals Multipurpose Flat Leather Lead for Cattle, Horses, or Dogs with Chain and Swivel Snap and One-Year Limited Warranty

The Derby Leather Lead is a versatile option for handling cattle, horses, or dogs. With a total length of 72 inches, you can manage your animals comfortably from a distance. The 20-inch chain lead provides added security, preventing any sudden escapes during walks or training. Crafted from durable leather, the 52-inch long lead ensures strength and longevity, making it ideal for everyday use. Available in classic colors, Havana and Black, this lead not only performs well but also looks great while doing so. Enjoy peace of mind with a one-year limited warranty that backs your purchase.

What We Like
Versatile for multiple animals
Durable leather material
Secure chain lead
Stylish color options
One-year warranty
#TOP 8

Leaders Leather Lead with Solid Brass Snap

Generic
Leaders Leather Lead with Solid Brass Snap Cover
Generic Leaders Leather Lead with Solid Brass Snap for Horse (Brown/Brass NO Nameplate)

Generic Leather Lead is crafted from superb quality, thick and soft leather that can be easily oiled and waxed. The leather is vegetable-tanned without harsh chemicals, ensuring safety for your horse. It features a heavy-duty solid brass snap for durability and a nickel-coated option. With a 1" width and 6ft total length, this lead offers masterful craftsmanship with over 25 years of experience, providing you with a reliable tool for handling your horse.

What We Like
Thick and soft leather
Vegetable-tanned without harsh chemicals
Durable solid brass snap
#TOP 9

Weaver Leather Poly Cowboy Lead with Snap

35-2096-C1
Black
5/8" x 10'
Weaver Leather Poly Cowboy Lead with Snap Cover
Weaver Leather Poly Cowboy Lead with Snap, 5/8" x 10', Black

The Weaver Leather Cowboy Lead is a durable and versatile horse lead designed to meet all your equestrian needs. Made from UV-resistant polyester rope, this lead is built to withstand the harsh outdoor elements and provide long-lasting performance. With a brass plated swivel snap on one end and a leather popper with bleeding heart knot on the other, this lead offers easy attachment and secure control of your horse. Measuring 5/8" x 10', it provides ample length for comfortable handling. Whether you're training, riding, or simply leading your horse, the Weaver Leather Cowboy Lead ensures reliable performance and convenience.

What We Like
Durable
Easy attachment
Secure control
#TOP 10

Weaver Leather Poly Lead Rope

35-2100-S1
Black
One Size
Weaver Leather Poly Lead Rope Cover
Weaver Leather Poly Lead Rope , Black

The Weaver Leather Poly Lead Rope is a premium quality polypropylene horse lead that measures 10 feet long, with a soft, broken-in feel that is comfortable in your hands. It features a non-rust solid brass snap hook and the ends of the rope are heat-sealed to ensure long-lasting dependability and performance. Made by Weaver Leather in Mt. Hope, Ohio, this lead is perfect for horse owners who want a durable, comfortable, and high-quality lead for their animals.

What We Like
Durable polypropylene material
Comfortable and soft in your hands
Non-rust solid brass snap hook
Buying Guide Image

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the best material for a lead rope?

In general, polyester and nylon fibers have excellent strength, MFP good, and cotton poor. Some ropes/rope fibers are heavier than others. For example, a double braid MFP rope will be lighter weight than a double braid polyester or nylon rope. Rope halters, leads and reins are favored by many natural horse trainers.

2. How long should a horse lead be?

Choose a lead rope that is about 8 to 10 feet (2 to 3 m) long. A rope halter with a rope crown snap is useful when teaching a horse to yield to pressure. Pressure is sometimes needed when leading a horse.

3. What is a horse's lead called?

A lead, lead line, lead rope (US) or head collar rope (UK), is used to lead an animal such as a horse. Usually, it is attached to a halter. The lead may be integral to the halter or, more often, separate. When separate, it is attached to the halter with a heavy clip or snap so that it can be added or removed as needed.

4. What is the safest way to hold the horse's lead strap?

Never wrap the lead strap around yo r fingers, hand, wrist, or any part of your body. A knot at the end of the lead can help you keep a grip on the lead if the horse pulls back. Walk with the horse, at its shoulder, not ahead or behind.

Editor's Notes

During our leather horse lead research, we found 24 leather horse lead products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 12,132 customer reviews through our big data system to write the leather horse leads list. We found that most customers choose leather horse leads with an average price of $16.60.

The leather horse leads are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of leather horse leads, including Weaver Leather, Tough 1, Equinavia, Derby Originals, AJ Tack. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 385 consumers with an average rating of 4.7.

Written by
Jason Kiser Avatar

Jason Kiser is an editor who lives in California, he previously worked in a travel agency for ten years, which enabled him to travel a number of interesting countries and experience several different cultures along the way. His range of job and travel experiences grant him expertise in hiking, camping, outdoors and fitness.