Where to get mini sized lead with chain

[Cayuse]

Could anyone tell me where I can find a lead shank with a short, lighter weight chain than the ones sold for big horses? I have bad arthritis in my hands and sometimes just need a little "extra" help when working with my mini but don't want to us a "big horse" lead as it's just way too much. He KNOWS the days my hands hurt, lol! And yes, we are working on the manners..... !

As always, thanks in advance!

 

[Rocklone Miniature Horses]

Maybe rather than a chain you could use a dually halter? I think they make them in miniature sizes...that way you always have the help when needed, but a normal halter too.

 

[Cayuse]

That might be a very good idea. I will look into it as I'm not sure exactly what they are. Are they similar to a "be nice" halter where they get poll pressure? I just need the littlest bit more than a regular lead and not all the time. With my bad hands it's nice to "have it and not need it" rather than the other way around. I will do a search.

Thanks!

 

[Cayuse]

Just googled Dually halter and that might be just the thing! Not like the "be nice" halter at all. It's nice that you can use it either way.

Rocklone, have you used one?

 

[Rocklone Miniature Horses]

No i haven't but i am very much considering one for my 17hh cob, hes a bit strong but only because he is a mountain and his stride is like twice mine haha. I have only heard good things about them.

You can somewhat replicate it by having the lead rope hooked on as normal, but then the end put through the right "hoop" at the nose, over the nose and through the left hoop and lead that way.

 

[Cayuse]

Good to know, I'll try to replicate it and see how he responds. He is making progress, slow but sure.

 

[AngC]

Could anyone tell me where I can find a lead shank with a short, lighter weight chain than the ones sold for big horses?

I had never heard of a "dually." ('Course there's lots of things I've never heard of.)

Are you referring to a "stud chain?" I tried one on Nicky when I was told that because he's a stallion, I should use a "stud chain." I just bought a regular horse size and snipped out a few links of the chain to make it fit and then put it on his halter. I didn't use it very long; it didn't seem to do much. I can relate to what you're saying about your hands.... some days my hands don't want to get up in the morning.

 

[Cayuse]

AngC, I looked up the "Dually" and it looks like it has a soft rope attached across the nose peice of the halter with rings on each end so if you choose to you can use the halter regularly or with a little nose pressure. I might try one.

I was meaning a stud chain in my post. I really don't like to rely on one but use it occasionally if my hands a miserable as it is safer for us both.

My little guy came with a few issues regarding leading and with work he is improving a lot. Hopefully he will progress to the point we don't need it.

My hands do not like to get up in the morning either! I have RA and have "lost my grip" so to speak

 

[paintponylvr]

Here is one - Mini Stud Lead

Both a lead and a lounge line here - halters

Just a chain to use with your lead here - brass chain

There are several other stores that advertise here on LB, but I didn't list them since I didn't see what you are looking for. Something else that works is to go get a chain dog collar that is small enough to fit thru the halter rings, elongate the rings so that they will fit thru the halter rings, and put that over the nose w/ the snap of your lead rope in both rings - similar to a show halter but with a heavier chain.

For a rope like the halters mentioned - a piece of paracord works well. If you are into braiding or have a friend who is - if a single strand is not "thick enough" for you, you could braid it up a bit in one of the many braiding patterns for flat or round braids. That would still have more of a "bite" then the halter by itself, but not be the same as a chain.

Sometimes one of the stiffer rope halters works well, too. But they are hard to find in a proper mini size that fits.

 

[Margo_C-T]

I believe 2'(24") of chain to be TOO LONG for use on minis...and also, in the kind of chain pictured, too heavy. For one thing, it is considered 'undesirable' for the handler to 'hold' the horse on the chain, yet to have proper control, you would have to with that much chain. I bought about 12 to 14" of a smaller, flat linked chain, made my own 'stud chain' lead, attaching a suitable snap to one end and a leather lead to the other end, using Quick links. No, it isn't brass....but that was never any issue when showing...and you possibly could spray paint the entire assembly with 'gold' or brass-colored paint if you felt you must.

 

[Minimor]

Some of my big horse leads had less than 24" of chain and were lighter than those puctured--they were show leads and has nice small snaps on them. However--I would suggest a dog choker chain--they come in various lengths and you can choose one that is the right length--you can put a snap and lead on it as Margo described.

 

[Minimor]

Here is one with a 12" chain

http://www.minitack.com/ac4.htm

 

[Cayuse]

Thanks guys! My husband made me a lead with a shortened piece of light dog collar and nylon lead and it worked great. It has a very good release through the rings and does not get hung up and the little guy seemed happy with the arrangement. He was able to cut the chain and shorten it and add a small snap (nice to have a smaller snap too) and stitched it to some nylon line.

I may still try a Dually, or a homemade version of one too.

 

[AngC]

...

My hands do not like to get up in the morning either! I have RA and have "lost my grip" so to speak

I'm sorry for you. My friend has RA; she is miserable. often. very often. most of the time, actually.

Me? No RA here; just old age, creaky, creaky, creaky. If I do have something like that, I refuse. ;-}

 

[Yankee Doodle Dandy]

Star Lake Tack makes very nice leads with chain. I have two, the chains are very small and lightweight. The size you buy fits a B size mini, but you'd have to get some links taken out to fit an A size. I have one for my A size mini and B size.

 

[Cayuse]

I just came across Star Lake Tack this week. I will look into their leads. I think I will be placing an order with them for a browband for his driving headstall. That is a whole 'nother search....