What does it mean to "work a horse in hand"?

Working a horse in hand refers to training or exercising the horse while walking alongside it. This method allows a handler to communicate and establish a relationship with the horse without the added weight and dynamic of riding. It helps develop the horse’s responsiveness to commands and encourages better ground manners. Additionally, this practice can be beneficial for training specific movements and behaviors, as the handler can use the movement of their own body and voice to guide the horse.

The other options describe different aspects of horse management and training but do not capture the essence of working in hand. For example, exercising while riding involves a different dynamic that prioritizes the rider's instructions, while leading in a show ring is a specific situation typically related to presentation rather than training. Keeping a horse stabled does not involve any action related to training or exercising the horse.