'control' halters

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dragonflys

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Please could someone explain to me the difference, if any, between the various control/training halters, ie dually, Richard Maxwell, the knotted ones etc?
Thanks :)
 
You can get a reasonable idea from google images...

e.g. Dually
- lead rope can be clipped onto usually ring underneath => works like ordinary head collar but with two sections over the nose
- lead rop can be clipped onto ring at side of nose => tightens over (around) nose when pulled

Anything made of knotted rope will tend to dig in more.

Richard Maxwell sells a couple of types, not all tighten I think but some do.

Most 'control' head collars basically mean something digging in and/or tightening when horse or handler pulls. Therefore you should never tie up in any of them and if you should be very careful if you think your horse is likely to get away from you because if they stood on a lead rope it could be a lot worse than a normal head collar unless you get something with break points in (in which case it will probably break when you do the digging in/tightening anyway).
 
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One of mine had a dually halter used on him (as he's a sod for leading, rears up and goes and he's built like a brick s***house so not nice!!) by his previous owner. Supposedly it's made him worse! I'v tried in a heacollar a few times and he nearly killed me so won't lead him in anything but a chiffney now! He obviously doesn't like nose pressure!!!
 
I like the Eskadron headcollar with a chain - like having a built in stallion chain. Worked a treat on my horse although he has since broken it when my mum (stupidly) tied him up with the leadrope still attached to the tightening chain bit (I was not amused!) Horse was none the worse but he successfully broke the ring on the chain - I imagine he was very pleased with himself as I've still not got around to having it fix so am back to the old rope around the nose tactic!
 
I just use a oridinary rope halter now.

I have a mare how has a habit of stopping and running in reverse. Its really helped as she comes forwards again. I can also tie her up in it (another small issue she has).

I use a dually as well for in hand work and loading. I also ride in my dually.
 
I use an Eskadron too. I tried the Dually on my mare but she tanked off with it wrecking a car in the progress. She never tries anything with the Eskadron (chain around the nose) and is very respectful of it.

We've managed to get to the stage where she'll lead in or out quite happily staying behind my shoulder.

If I used a normal headcollar on her, I would be that person on the end of a tow rope :rolleyes:
 
There are such things as "pressure " halters which have strategically placed knots that are supposed to apply pressure to sensitive spots, but a bog standard rope halter that fits properly should be adequet control for any horse.
 
I also use the Eskadron. He knows as soon as its on not to misbehave. Can sometimes be good in normal head collar but when he goes on one he can drag you all over - not good when he once managed to pull free & gallop off down to a train line. Luckily stopped just before, but i bought the Eskadron the next day & always load him with this now xx
 
I definitely rate the eskadron. My horse has always been a sod - he'd never go anywhere as such just knew his strength and would take it upon himself to run off and have a bit of a laugh i think! He actually loves people and loves attention so maybe this was just part of his attention seeking. The only problem i had with the eskadron was he knew when that was the headcollar I had and, if i wasn't quick enough he'd throw his head up before i could get it on. Guess he'd worked out pretty quickly that once I got that on i had control!!! Lol.

hmm, i really should get it fixed!
 
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