[drivingpairs] Questions on pair harness...

Hello, everyone-
  I am still learning, learning, learning....about this multiples stuff(and 
loving it, BTW!)
  A few basic questions: what are 'full hames'? What other kind are there? What 
kind/type of harness-and for that matter, type/build of horse-is considered 
'correct' put to a vis a vis? I have seen plenty of photos/TV footage of the 
city carriage horses, as in NYC-seems most are single drafts/draft crosses, and 
lots of the vehicles are vis a vis, or maybe, victorias? Seems these are sort 
of 'limited purpose', albeit elegant in appearance, vehicles, used mostly for 
occasions of slow, sedate progression along fairly level surfaces?  I do not 
have, nor do I plan to have, either kind of vehicle myself; however, I do know 
a couple of people who have asked me for advice on what kind of harness/and 
what body type of horse, is best for such vehicles(parades and such-and these 
ARE miniature horses,and the vehicles are miniature-sized.) One of these folks 
just bought a pair of little red duns-pretty drafty-built fellows-and she 
showed me the harness that she got with them. It was black leather, with brass 
spots(boy, would I NOT want to have to clean it!), and chains on the 
carriage-end of the traces(tugs). It also has neck collars, with those hames 
that have two 'upward extensions' that are topped with little round brass 
knobs. I didn't think this was a suitable harness to be used with her white vis 
a vis-but, what do I know?? So, I came here to ask those who would! 
  If, indeed, this harness is not suitable for the vehicles I mention, then 
what type WOULD be proper? Is there a synthetic that would be OK, or does 
either tradition and/or the demands of usage require leather?(I have pair 
harness in both materials, and frankly, I am VERY partial to the beta, for its 
ease of care/clean-up.) I don't think either of these people will ever be in an 
ADS show ring, though one might try the mini breed show ring in future-if that 
should be a factor.
  I will be grateful for your responses; my thanks in advance!
  Regards,
  Margo Cox-Townsend-in unusually warm and pitifully dry, New Mexico

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