thanks everyone, I will first try grouping in max and working with that in poser, didn't know this was possible..

I have a few more questions though,

how exactly do I group in max for poser? I can group polys with the material editor but I would like the reins to be all one material.. is it called something different in max?

how do I export PHI information from max? (wrong forum I know sorry, just wanted to keep this in one thread)

thanks again for all your help, will defiantly be trying the Maxpo in future.