What does this chain do?

[The Trooper]

Just browsing HH articles at work and saw this photo of a police horse, I don't know what the chain that runs from the end of his reins to the shoulder area is or does. Can anyone shed some light on this?

 

[Otherwise]

I thought it was a back up in case someone cut the reins but no idea if that's true or not

 

[BOWS28]

Following with interest!

 

[BallyJ]

ALso wondering the answer - i've tried googling but couldn't find anything?

 

[The Trooper]

I thought it was a back up in case someone cut the reins but no idea if that's true or not

Can't see for sure but I am not sure it is connected on the otherside. Given how low it hangs on the visible side i'd expect it to be visible on the other.

Could be wrong though.

 

[cobgoblin]

I think it's a riot chain in case the officer has his reins grabbed... So he can still circle the horse quickly.

 

[The Trooper]

Seems to only go to the throat lash so that would indicate that it's not a control thing in the same sense as reins?

 

[HEM]

Also following with interest!

Pretty amazing/scary photo!

 

[flying_high]

Maybe it is a defence chain. If someone grabs the reins, hit hand with chain so they drop them?

 

[little_critter]

Lead rope attached to headcoller?

 

[cobgoblin]

Lead rope attached to headcoller?

I think you may be right.. So that they can be tied up in full tack.

.

 

[silv]

I thought it was a back up in case someone cut the reins but no idea if that's true or not

That’s exactly what it is,I remember that from visiting the Glasgow Police Stables a couple of times with the Pony Club many years ago.

 

[Shay]

Is it a rack chain? Old fashioned way of tying up a horse. (And they cant chew it!)

 

[Red-1]

When it is fitted bit to saddle (first post) it is a back up chain in case the reins are cut.

When fitted to the backstop (between the noseband and throat lash) it is usually for display only, on parade. We actually stopped that (for display) as it is fitted differently with them threaded through, and there was a risk of the horse getting caught up and it tightening. I believe it happend to a military horse on parade and it caused it to go over backwards, around 1998. We just used a white rope.

 

[The Trooper]

When it is fitted bit to saddle (first post) it is a back up chain in case the reins are cut.

When fitted to the backstop (between the noseband and throat lash) it is usually for display only, on parade. We actually stopped that (for display) as it is fitted differently with them threaded through, and there was a risk of the horse getting caught up and it tightening. I believe it happend to a military horse on parade and it caused it to go over backwards, around 1998. We just used a white rope.

Thank you Red! I thought we had a mounted/ex mounted officer on here, I would love to know more about the mounted police, there isn't enough documentaries etc on them I don't think. Big brave beasties

 

[Red-1]

Thank you Red! I thought we had a mounted/ex mounted officer on here, I would love to know more about the mounted police, there isn't enough documentaries etc on them I don't think. Big brave beasties

There was a documentary on Sky, called Mounted Branch. It was from about 10 years ago now, but still comes round now and again. I notice it because I was on it! It was about Manchester, and I was a visiting assessor when the basic course was assessed. A full day of several cameras in my face. Nice to look back on now though, I have been retired 5 years