Conference noted::equitation

    How about not using a bridle and attaching the reins to the halter?
    It would save the horses mouth. Using the neckstrap to hang on is
    a good idea.
    

    It might be a possibility to borrow a western saddle for the "ride".
    We in Colorado find the saddle horn a great little handle for
    balance.  A simple halter with lead chain over or under the nose
    from the opposite side also provides good ground control leading.

    
    I used to buckle a stirrup strap around the horse's neck when I
    was teaching beginning jumping classes.  At the "critical moment"
    I would have the rider take hold of the stirrup strap to avoid jabbing
    the horse in the mouth.
    
    It seems to me it would be a good alternative "handle", and leave
    the reins off totally.
    
    Diana

    When I've taught beginner riders, I've found that they feel more
    secure and "in control" if they have some kind of reins to hold.
    I agree with the idea of using a regular halter with reins attached.
     A lead line with chain is a good idea if you need the extra control
    from the ground.  I would also teach your beginner ahead of time,
    to quell those last minute nerves, how to stop the horse!
    
    Merrie

I'm really a beginner so you can count this as 1/2 a cent worth of idea!

Did you say you are walking (on foot) next to the horse? If so, I'd give 
them a western saddle and reins. Western, because everyone I've ever met
has an easier time sitting in a western saddle. Reins, because they
must be able to stop the horse if it bolts. Alot can happen in five miles. 
My first priority would be for the safety of the rider in the event the 
horse got away from me. If I was riding next to them, AND I had a solid mount,
AND I was an expert, I might risk leading them without reins because I
could catch them if the horse bolted.

If I decided to allow my horse on the ride, I'd talk to the rider and
explain to them that the reins were only for an emergency. (John Wayne
not withstanding.) I'd explain to them that if they kept pulling at his 
mouth, I'd get on and let them walk the rest of the way!!

I recently used one of my horses as a childs ride for a church picnic.
I rode him the 13 miles from my house to the church so that he'd be
good and tired. You might try a similar trick on yours if its a bit frisky.

Good Luck!

    
    Don't forget the basic saftey rules!  The rider needs to wear
    tie shoes with a heel and a safety helmet!  
    
    No one plans to fall off, but it's best to be a protected as possible
    in case that does happen.
    
    

Thank you everyone for your replies.  It would be difficult to reply 
individually so I hope you'll forgive me if I answer them all together.

Unfortunately being 'over the water' Western saddles aren't that common
so it's unlikely that a suitable one could be found in the time.
However I would like to try using one if the opportunity ever arose.
(Sorry I'm digressing - will have to carry on this discussion some other
time)

My husband's comment as a 'non rider' was that he prefered to have some 
reins to hang on to, even if they weren't on to the bit.  He said that
he could at least make some attempt at turning if attached to the head collar.

A further suggestion of using two sets of reins has been made.  The idea being
to attached one set on to the headcollar that the rider 'hangs onto' and a 
lower set attached to the bit but suitably knotted ,left lying on the neck  
as the 'emergency brake'.
My own feeling is that whilst I can see the sense of this it may be getting 
over complicated.

I rather like the idea of using the reins onto the headcollar.  
Looking at it from a different angle.  This will be a fairly big event for 
all concerned, not least the riders.  Many photo's are likely to be taken for 
the albums and to it would appear better if the tack looks as near normal as 
possible.

Unless someone is kind to me on my birthday we may not be able to use
the stirrup leather idea.  Certainly it's one to remember.

Can any one describe what a lead chain looks like and how it functions ?

The event is too far away to hack, so the gods willing I will be up at the
crack of dawn working of any of the excess energy she may have.
Transport is being arranged for both of us, but I suspect an early pickup!

We are trying to arrange a visit and trial run for the intended rider to quell
those nerves.  This isn't proving to be too easy - there are a few more days
yet.  Although I am qualified as a Pony Trek leader, I'm not a teacher, so
don't intend showing more than the rudimentary aids for safety and comfort.

Thank you for the timely reminders about Hats etc. having it in black
and white has reminded me to check them against my list.
Give the organisers their due, they have laid down the conditions regarding 
safety well and have also taken the precautions of arranging vets (yes plural), 
blacksmith and all the usual first-aid people, marshalls etc.  I've been very 
impressed so far.

Thank you again for all your help and support, it is appreciated.  

Judy.
    

    Judy, a belt will work as well as a stirrup leather and I'd
    definitely put something there for the rider to grab instead
    of the reins.  I know the reins will look nicer, but a beginner
    may grab for balance, not just in an emergency, so use both.
    
    You mentioned you're "over the water" so I assume you mean
    Europe.  I have a book at home that has the English equivalent
    to American terms, so I'll look up lead shank for you.
    Will hopefully find it before the big event.
    
    Good luck 
    
    Dawn

    Dawn,
    
    We may be at cross purposes here.  I wasn't intending to use the
    reins for support, but rather the neckstrap of the running martingale
    that we have.  That is unless some other better idea, for example
    using the strirrup leather, presented itself.  However I think your
    idea of employing a belt is superb - hubby can hold his own
    trousers up for one day !!
    
    This question of support is one of the reasons why I wondered
    whether I should leave the mane unplaited - to give something else
    to hang on to, yet it won't slip round if sideways movement is 
    involved.
    
    I am based at Reading, U.K. so the English equivalent name would
    be great.
    

    Dawn, 

	 The following  is  a  broad  'american'  description  of a lead
     shank. Maybe _you_ can tell _us_ what the English equivalent is:

	 Lead shank  -  a  leather or nylon strap with a short length of
     chain  (12-18  inches)  affixed to one end. The chain has a snap on
     the end not attached to the leather or nylon. (a lead _rope_ on the
     other  hand  does  not  have  the  chain, but has the snap attached
     directly  to  length  the leather/nylon/rope) It is attached by the
     snap to one of the rings on the the halter (head collar). The chain
     may  be  run through the ring on the near side of the horse (at the
     end  of the cavesson), looped over the horse's nose and fastened on
     the  off  side  of  the  halter to the ring at the other end of the
     cavesson.  This  affords  greater control to the individual leading
     the horse.       _____
                     /    /<---crownpiece of halter
	    _       /    /
cavesson-> / \     /    /
	  / __\___O    /       <== Crude approximation of halter
	 O-'   O------O
          \   /   \  /
           \0/_____\/

	       ^chain goes in this side, makes one twist over the cavesson
         ^snaps to this ring                     ^^^^^twist is optional
						      but keeps chain from
						      falling down the 
						      nose.
    

	 I agree  with  the  stirrup leather/belt around the neck of the
     horse.  You  may  want  to  use a lunge (sp) line instead of a lead
     shank as it may give you a better chance of holding on to Crunchie
     if he becomes frightened and tries to bolt.

	 Also, impress  upon  your  rider  that  this is not the time to
     want  to  try to go fast. Remember, you have to keep up and you are
     on  foot.  NO  SHOWING OFF FOR THE FAMILIES!!!!! The faster you go,
     the easier it is for the horse to cause damage if he spooks!

    Kathy,
    
    Maybe not for this occasion as time is running short, but could one 
    make a chain extension for a convential lead rope ?  The idea being 
    that you have a clip at one end of the chain and a ring at the other.  
    Your lead rope would then clip onto the ring.  
    Going on from this, would the chain have to be of a particular type, 
    or could one use any small, smooth link chain ?  
    Does it have to be a chain, would a thin piece of leather have a
    similar effect ?
    
    I'm sure such lead shanks must exist over here, but it's a question
    of knowing what to ask for and where.  It's not something that your
    average horse owner would look for in their local tack shop.
    What I have seen occasionaly are chains that clip onto the bit and
    lie under the nose in a 'V' shape with the lead rope coming off
    the low point of the 'V'.  Something like:

    						TOP	(Not to Scale).
        					===
    
    			O---o---O		-- The Bit
    
    			?	?		-- Hooks which attach
       			 \     /		   to the bit.
      			  \   /
           		   \ /
    			    o			-- Small ring
			    ?			-- Hook on lead rope
    			    !			   which is clipped
    			    !			   onto the small ring.
			    !    			    

    						BOTTOM	
						======
    
    I have a feeling that they are primarily used by stallion handlers,
    but I wouldn't like to guarantee that piece of information.
    
    Many thanks
    
    Judy

    
    Hi Kathy,
    
    Maybe I can clarify.  I positive I have seen what we call a lead
    shank, with chain, in a tack shop in London.  You are right, they
    are typically used by stallion handlers, but have gained a LOT of
    popularity here because of the added control they allow.
    
    The reason for the chain attachment to the "normal" lead line, rather
    than the attachment to the bit, is that frequently you may need
    the control when you either are not using the bridle, or don't want
    to damage the horse's mouth if a really hard yank on the lead is
    required.
    
    The chain across the nose can give the horse a sharp reprimand
    (depending on how hard you pull down) without hurting the mouth
    and possibly making him very "bit sensitive".
    
    I have made one up by (as you thought) attaching a length of smooth
    chain to a regular lead.
    
    Hope this helps!
    
    Diana
    

re: .11

I have occasionally wanted to use a lead chain when I did not have
one handy. You can fashion a makeshift one out of a rope lead, a dog's
chain choke collar, and a double-ended snap. Clip the lead to one
of the rings on the choke collar; run the collar through the harness,
and over the nose; clip one side of the snap to the collar, and
clip the other side to the harness.

           Halter
             ______
            /      \
  lead     /        \
--------o-O~~~~~~~o-oO
        ^     ^    ^
        |     |    |-- double snap
       snap  collar

There's only one gotcha: If you have a large dog, the rings on the choke 
collar may be too large to fit through the fitting on your harness.

    Well, I checked my book last night and found it interesting that
    no where did it reference "lead shank"; lead rope was referenced
    as both British/American.  However, pictures included did show
    a lead shank, and as mentioned in another note, they were only
    used on stallions.  I'm only putting this in as I said I would
    check my book -- certainly have nothing new to add.  A little
    p.s. though-- we weren't really at cross thinking Judy, I was
    trying to get away from using the running martingale strap 
    because there are a lot of thoughts on beginners using running
    martingales, and I'm of the thought that I don't agree with it.
    (But that's another issue.)  By the way, I checked the copyright
    of my book and it's 1970's which also goes along with the note
    that said lead shanks have just gained popularity in Europe.
    
    Have fun on your walk/ride and I wish you, Crunchie and your
    rider good luck.
    
    Dawn

    RE: .15  
    Glad to hear you had an enjoyable day & it went without much
    difficulty. Feel bad about Crunchie's misfortune with the barbed
    wire, hope it doesn't cause any complications, etc. . 
    
                      Steve-who's-ready-to-ride :^)