Best halter for strong horse

[Katelouise]

I have a 7 year year old irish cob that's so easy in every way and so laid back but so food orientated and a sod to lead.

I've done loads of groundwork with him, he's lovely to clip, load etc but leading he is just a thug to lead. I've tried a regular rope halter but it makes no difference...he couldn't care less, he's going for the grass etc and that's that..he drags livery staff, my vet, he's dragged me into other horses stables for Haynets etc.

I'm looking at the Monty Roberts dually headcollar but seen other options eg Le Mieux safe headcollar etc and just want to buy the once so opinions on what works best for you would be great

Please no negative comments about no manners etc, he's just a typical stubborn cob and has EMS so food is life and he's on a restricted diet, soaked hay etc and under vet and Saracens guidance. It's his one vice and I just want to be able to a-b without him stealing someone's dinner orme going skiing

Thank you

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Pl

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

I like simple cow halters and doubt if a fancy one will be any more effective tbh. Do you carry a schooling whip in front of him to block forward movement? Do you stop frequently and give him a treat when heis being mannerly? If you do those things and he is still dragging you, I would lead him in a bridle to give you more control

 

[TPO]

Honestly there is no halter [or bit] that will make the handler stronger than the horse.

You could use a chain or chifney bit, they will cause a pain, and that might stop him but if he's determined he'll keep on.

I know it's not what you want to hear but it is a training issue. My mum owns Fat Cob who arrived bargy, bad mannered and worst of all scared because a "trainer" tried to fix him by using violence and fear. A scared and nervous bargy horse was even stronger and determined. He'd just fix his neck and go where he pleased - usually towards something to eat- and turn his back end given half a chance.

He can still be strong to lead when the verges are so tempting but he's easy to bring back and remind of his manners.

I can't stand him but his stuff is free, might be worth looking at the Warwick Schiller stuff on YouTube as a starter for ten.

 

[welshcobabe]

I have the dually for my shire x cob most of the time it is not needed but it is affective when you do need it. It just gives you that bit of safety if needed.

 

[Barton Bounty]

How about a pro safe heacollar , my friend uses this for her boy.

Pardon our interruption...

 

[Gloi]

How about a pro safe heacollar , my friend uses this for her boy.

Pardon our interruption...

These work. I have one. If anything is thuggish a time or two using it reminding not to drag to the grass etc. and can go back to something less drastic again.

 

[Barton Bounty]

These work. I have one. If anything is thuggish a time or two reminding not to drag to the grass etc. and can go back to something less drastic again.

Yeah she finds that too, only needs to use it for a day or two and back to a regular one

 

[Alibear]

Alternate option but what about a bucket muzzle for leading so you remove the food option?

 

[SlinkyMinxy]

I used Richard Maxwell's pressure and release training halter for my very rude two year old, as she was totally ignoring everything else. It took about two sessions for her to understand it to the point where it went so slack it actually fell off!

 

[Ali27]

My Irish cob x Connie was very strong to lead when we got her as a 6 year old! I then got a Richard Maxwell pressure halter and she is a complete angel to lead now! At the age of 22, she still has it on! It also helped massively with loading as she used to bog off or high speed reverse out! The pressure halter transformed her and she self loaded with it on

 

[lamlyn2012]

I use a Stubben LK controller which attaches to the usual headcollar. Have used it effectively on all three of ours.

 

[SussexbytheXmasTree]

I used Richard Maxwell's pressure and release training halter for my very rude two year old, as she was totally ignoring everything else. It took about two sessions for her to understand it to the point where it went so slack it actually fell off!

I’ve had a lot of issues with pulling away with my gelding and the Richard Maxwell training halter with a 12ft rope is the only thing (touch wood) he has not got away in. Bridle, dually, normal string halter absolutely useless. I’m too worried about breaking a jaw or severing a tongue to use a chifney.

Just to add I’m doing training on connection with a local trainer to try to stop this. I’ve previously used unsuccessfully Tristan Tucker training, traditional/ NH mix, Australian NH Jason Webb.

 

[sollimum]

So I use a dually and actually never have to use the dually setting anymore but lead him as a normal headcollar but he does know it is there and respects it but knows if I swop for a standard headcollar.

 

[Equi]

I used the one liked above twice. It absolutely worked. I didn’t need it anymore and another horse on the yard started needing it and again he is a total lamb with it on. Just never ever eveeeer tie up with the clip on the rings (only on the chin ring as with a normal halter) or leave it on the horse when it’s in the field/arena.

 

[blitznbobs]

The tied rope ones work better than anything else but you do need to use them - I find them more effective than a dually or even a chifney… but you need to train the horse to respect it … train horse to go forwards and backwards with it and then when they are naughty they walk backwards a long way (not a couple of steps ) they soon learn not to be ignorant

 

[fredflop]

Lemieux headcollar with chain is effective.

I bought a thug of a horse who got a nasty shock first time he wore it

 

[silv]

The tied rope ones work better than anything else but you do need to use them - I find them more effective than a dually or even a chifney… but you need to train the horse to respect it … train horse to go forwards and backwards with it and then when they are naughty they walk backwards a long way (not a couple of steps ) they soon learn not to be ignorant

This and use a 12ft heavy rope, work him in it every day even for just 5 minutes to remind him what it is all about. My pet hate is those horses who think they can just pull you about when being led, plus they are dangerous.

 

[saddlesore]

a dually is good