leaving ropes on foals in pasture

My neighbor insists that it is a proven technique for halter and lead breaking foals to leave them in the pasture with not only their halters on but a very long (several feet on the ground) rope. The rope drags and the foal as well as the other horses often step on it jerking the foals head. I would like feedback to give the neighbors to stop this practice. Please repond.

I don't know much about horses but this appears to be a very dangerous practice that can end in injury or death for the foal and possibly one of the adults who may get tangled in it.