To tie or not to Tie

> To tie or not to tie is a subject that most people have strong opinions about...

I too drive solo most of the time. (I know I ought not to, but that's just how it is. If it were no helper, no driving, I probably would only drive three times a year, other than at shows, which I then wouldn't go to because the mare would not be fit. Anyway, I like driving solo, just me and the pony. I don't always want human company!)

At home and when working alone I too always tie while hitching. I leave the halter on under the bridle and take a lead rope with me in case I need to tie up to deal with anything while out. This can range from adjusting harness to rescuing a sheep or lamb from a wire fence. My mare is good about not pulling on her halter rope - my little granddaughter aged not quite 3 can lead her about safely. I won't claim she's perfect - that would be tempting fate! - but she's pretty trustworthy.

At a show I will tie while harnessing, with the nose-buckle halter under the bridle, then have my helper/groom hold the mare by the lead rope while I hitch. (She actually fidgets less if she's tied up as she is at home, but I go by our Club rule book when at a show: http://www.northwest.f9.co.uk/safety.htm) When we're ready to mount the cart, we release the nose buckle and the crown buckle of the halter and it comes off from under the bridle. I do not undo ANY parts of the bridle to achieve this. I carry a spare halter and lead rope in the show spares box.

I know hitching while tied is really only practicable with a single, but then, driving a pair/tandem or upwards with no help is foolish if not impossible. (That's why I drive single. I'd love to put Mr T in the lead of Ruby and drive them tandem, but I don't have the help.)

I sometimes attend clinics given by George Bowman. His common-sense advice for harnessing AND hitching: "train it to stand still, but if it won't stand still, tie it up!"