picnic technicalities

[AmyHack]

So my dad is coming to visit on the bank holiday and I'd love to go on a long hack with him (him on foot as he won't ride, but he likes walking) I'd like to have a stop had way round and have something toeat\drink. My question is what to do with horse. We will only be about half hour max, and I'd like him to have a graze. Do I untack him and take a headcollar? Or take of saddle and graze him in bridle? Or just leave him tacked up? Obviously I wouldn't tie him up anywhere, I'd just hold onto him. Is it a completely impractical idea? Those with advice are invited to the picnic!!

 

[dogatemysalad]

We used to take ours out for the day, put a headcollar under your bridle and bring a lead rope. Sometimes we'd stop by a river and they'd graze and drink. Sometimes we'd have lunch at a pub or one of those country visitor centres with a café.
We always ask the landlord/owner first, but we've never been refused yet. Customers always come out for a chat. Forgot to say, don't untack, just loosen the girth.

 

[AmyHack]

Thanks, that's great advice, just gotta hope weather is good now!

 

[TandD]

id take a longish lead rope/lungeline....you dont wanted to be pulled about while eatting!!!!!

 

[AmyHack]

Good idea, probably won't be very long, I'm so paranoid about safety... Getting caught in tack/rope, eating too much after/before work, running away, eating something he shouldn't....the list goes on! He isn't my horse and I'm with a completely non horsey dad!

 

[RainbowDash]

I second headcollar and lunge line - oh and don't forget to pack horsey-snacks

 

[Auslander]

You don't need a lungeline! Just unbuckle one end of the reins, and thread it though the other bit ring - instant long line. You can also attach reins to headcollar if you're taing one, so don't even need a lead rope.