Yes I noticed the knots too. First thing I was taught when I volunteered at RDA was how to tie up a pony so we could release it quickly if necessary but it couldn't get away. Except one, Murphy, the one I sponsor, who has discovered how to pull the loop.
And leading the pony it's a
folded end in one hand, a loop, then a hand on top, then another loop to the head collar. Why don't they know these things? They are safety matters