Breakaway Headcollar question

[Spangles]

Is there such a thing as a safety/ breakaway headcollar that’s safe to use leading ?

I use an Equilibrium Stellar safety headcollar but the poppers snapped off and when using today, horse nearly got free !

 

[Peglo]

I have a horseware Velcro head collar. The Velcro is really strong and I had no issues using it as normal. I’m sure it would breakaway if caught as it’s designed but I still worried the Velcro might hold strong.

 

[MidChristmasCrisis]

I use Velcro field safe headcollars and “touches wood” they have never given way …and my girls can get very forward when leaving field in wind and rain to get to sheltered stables.

 

[Widgeon]

I have the Le Meuix breakaway headcollar - leather strap with a screw pin through the middle - and the only time that's snapped was in the field when I think he got a back foot through it (facepalm, I wonder how long he spent thinking that one up). It's strong enough for me to stop him snacking while leading so it seems like a fairly robust design.

I know some people (sure I've seen stories on previous threads, have a search on here) dislike the Velcro ones because they've experienced them failing to break in field incidents. If you think about the direction of the force on a headcollar (probably downwards or backwards) I suppose it makes sense, as to undo Velcro you would usually rip it sideways.

 

[Marigold4]

I've got a Cottage Craft one with two different fastenings: one fixed metal one for leading and underneath is a velcro one for turning out in. You just change it over depending on what you are doing. Got it secondhand so not sure how old or if they still do this one but it's great. I know the velcro works as I have found it on the ground in the field on occasion.

 

[lynz88]

I only use leather halters as they do tend to break if needed. Will never use nylon.

 

[Squeak]

I only use leather halters as they do tend to break if needed. Will never use nylon.

I was also going to suggest a leather headcollar. They're plenty strong enough for leading but will also break if needed.

 

[Polos Mum]

A third suggestion for cheap / foreign leather even second hand is ideal. They are cheap, definitely break when needed but not so fragile you can't lead in them.

If they are on in the field I think they are softer on the skin too and hold water less if rained on