Control headcollars/Dually Halters. Opinions!

just out of interest why is a longer lead rope important ? I can understand that it is important with a rearer for obvious reasons (as someone said so not stood underneath them) but for general use dont understand as I have always found that if my chap is going to do the classic turn head and bugger off (doesnt do it anymore) I need to be quick and close to him to stop him - once he has turned and started to go its no use me being at the end of a 10 or 12 ft line as he would just pull it out of my hand !
 
meesha said:
just out of interest why is a longer lead rope important ? I can understand that it is important with a rearer for obvious reasons (as someone said so not stood underneath them) but for general use dont understand as I have always found that if my chap is going to do the classic turn head and bugger off (doesnt do it anymore) I need to be quick and close to him to stop him - once he has turned and started to go its no use me being at the end of a 10 or 12 ft line as he would just pull it out of my hand !
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Well, with mine he goes so quickly that you can't catch him before he does it but once he's cantered a stride, with a long line, I still have hold of his head and can pull it round and get him to stop. Normal rope is through my hands by that point and so he's got away with it!
 
jesstickle said:
Well, with mine he goes so quickly that you can't catch him before he does it but once he's cantered a stride, with a long line, I still have hold of his head and can pull it round and get him to stop. Normal rope is through my hands by that point and so he's got away with it!
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This. With 12ft I have enough time to lean back on my heels and give a yank.

I also don't like to hold a horse close, their feet are far too near to mine for comfort.
 
tallyho! said:
Those old rope halters i think are the best. Old fashioned, but it works if you need to assert yourself and ground training isn't an option.
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meesha said:
just out of interest why is a longer lead rope important ? I can understand that it is important with a rearer for obvious reasons (as someone said so not stood underneath them) but for general use dont understand as I have always found that if my chap is going to do the classic turn head and bugger off (doesnt do it anymore) I need to be quick and close to him to stop him - once he has turned and started to go its no use me being at the end of a 10 or 12 ft line as he would just pull it out of my hand !
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We never use anything other than an old-fashioned rope cow halters for leading horses from the field - and I have dealt with some difficult horses over the years. IME a rope halter and a schooling whip are the most effective 'gadgets' you can get. I don't agree with the idea of using a long rope - that just puts the user into more danger. The best place to be when leading a horse is close to its shoulder, keeping a very close eye on its behaviour, if it tries to stop, flick it with the schooling whip behind you, if it threatens to go up flick the whip across its knees. Keep the horse moving, don't EVER get in front of it, wear gloves and a hat at all times and remember that your own body language is the most effective tool you have.
 
Another for rope halters, which I make myself (being a cheap skate!). Rope halters can be more or less severe, according to the diameter of the rope used. For fancy lead ropes, or ropes of any description, try a ship's chandlers or yachting centre.
 
I use a Dually/lunge line with Ned when I take him for walks in-hand. It works wonders! Before I got his Dually, he wouldn't leave the yard with me (I'm sure it's down to bonding and working on our relationship) but I know the Dually helps too!
I find the technique Monty uses on his DVDs don't work with Ned as he just gets upset, so I just goes with what works for us.
 
another vote for dually and long line ( i just use a normal lunge line, looped as you would leading to or from lunging session)

i DO understand some of the 'contrary' opinions, but i would question whether people who can damage horses with a dually, wouldn't just damage them equally, or worse, with something else

before i got one i used to use a chifney, which is generally v effective, but potentially more dangerous
if someone's damaged a horse's nose badly with a dually, imagine what state it would be in if they'd used a chifney:eek:

as with most things, there are risks using any method, but i've rarely had a horse get away from a dually, longline and gloves
i have previously had bolshy project horses get away using a normal lead rope, and if they're being bast**ds on a line, catching them back up can be a v hairy process
at least if they're on a long line you can get some control at a distance initially by standing on the trailling line
(yes i appreciate they could get legs tangled in theory, but as i said, its a balance of risks)

the ONE thing that bugs me with the Dually is that the 'long' side of the headpiece isn't long enough (the one you put into the TOP of the buckle)
- absolutely fine if you've got a well behaved and calm horse, but once mine are like that i put them in normal headcollars anyway
SO mine sports an attractive length of baling twine as an extension so i can grab it if horse playing up and then work fingers up to 'real' section for securing
(tempted to patent this enhancement - would make my fortune!!)
 
I use a cheapy rope halter - he is happy with it...sticks his nose straight in it. I also use a 12ft parelli rope (only because I'm borrowing it and the rope is good quality). I wounldn't buy a parelli rope as I dont agree with the clip on it.

I have tried the Dually - i do like them but I borrowed one and didn't have the DVD to watch...my boy just ignored it.....I felt like I was hurting his nose because he was ignoring it and putting pressure on it....Would try again if I had the DVD or advice on how to use it correctly.

My boy is very good in the cheap halter.....My mare would rear if put in a rope halter so pls tread carefully.

I would introduce it carefully...my mare was NOT a rearer normally, she just hated the pressure and reacted badly.

Good luck and be careful
 
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