He that hires the horse must ride before.

The saying places the person who hires the horse at the front of the ride. The act of hiring identifies the rider, and “before” describes that rider’s position.

The wording presents this as the expected order: the horse’s hirer rides in front. Its focus is the connection between hiring the horse and taking the forward place.

Use it as a remark when someone who hired or paid for something takes the leading position. It draws attention to who goes first, rather than to the details of the arrangement.