Choke chains

[benrolo]

I can't find the post now, but I want to say a big thank you to the person who suggested threading a dog's choke chain through the lead rein rings to add control when leading. I had a large ring choke chain in the house that I didn't use and it has worked a treat on my Shire cross who doesn't seem to know his own strength!

 

[spaniel]

Can I ask how you threaded it so I can try it too please!

 

[Enfys]

Hi Spaniel,

I use choke chains when I have to, prefer them to those horrid flat lead ropes with a foot of chain attached. You can either clip one end to the off side nose band ring and thread it under the chin and through the near side ring, or, from the "throatlash" ring on the off side, through the noseband ring, over the nose and through the near side noseband ring. Does that make sense? I use double ended clips to fasten the chain to the ring (of course,good old baler twine does the job but isn't quite as secure)

My daft old arab only had to hear the chain rattling and he'd boing along beside me with no pulling at all, he knew that the chain over his nose meant "behave yourself" ,he hated the chain under his chin though.

 

[miller]

I put a showing chain on the end of my standard rope and wrap it over monsters nose and through the loop - he respects it and never tries to charge off when it's one but he knows when it isn't!

 

[spaniel]

Enfys and Miller...thank you!! Irish Draught on a mission

 

[miller]

Mine has ID and Welsh D - I know exactly what you mean

 

[Nari]

Spaniel as a fellow ID victim I find Dually's brilliant. Jim will fight a rope or chain over his nose because it doesn't release quickly enough but is fine in a Dually. Try the chain first though - it's lots cheaper!

 

[spaniel]

Thanks nari....its not that he is naughty.....he just wants to go faster than I walk and its like trying to stop a small building!!!

 

[Theresa_F]

Might have been me - I did suggest it in a post a few weeks back.

I find them cheap and very useful threaded under the jaw and attached to a long lead rope - Stinker currently has one just in case as a couple of weeks ago he dragged my YO. One session with a couple of jerks and he has been an angel again.

For £2.75 you can't beat them.

Personally I don't like over the nose or bits unless it is a last resort - in my experience it can make them fight more but they don't seem to mind the chain under the jaw and do respect it.

 

[Theresa_F]

When I thread them they go through the left ring on the headcollar and then through the right ring and then both ends are attached to the leadrope looking like an upside down triangle. When you pull down the chain tightens - when they stay beside you it is loose. You can use a chain lead but the choke chain is cheaper and you have the option of not having it attached all the time.

Often the weight and sound of the chain is all that is required once they have had a couple of hard tugs and know what it is about. Stopped Fleur rearing up in hand and being a devil horse in under a week. Within 2 months just carried in my pocket so if I thought I needed it I could attach it before leading.

 

[Jemayni]

Thanks guys, Im going to try this I am at wits end with my 15hh over grown native on a mission; found dually hopeless, and I dont like using chifneys on a daily basis

*Sets off to pet shop to buy choke chain*

 

[TequilaMist]

Oooh this brings back memories!my sister used to use dogs choke chain on her horse about 20 yrs ago.Used it under chin.Funny how some ideas last!