Controller Headcollar

[kal40]

We are having a problem leading our mare (14.2). She is trying to tank off and find some grass as obviously her little paddock doesn't have enough grass for her liking!

OH is new to horses and he does the morning turnout so we need an easy to use controller type headcollar. We have tried the Shires one and it doesn't work and we thought about the dually one but just had a quick look and they are about £40.

Has anyone seen them anywhere any cheaper than that or seen another version. I know you can't put a price on safety but if we can find a cheaper one it would be a bonus.

Thank you!

 

[Pearlsasinger]

We use old-fashioned white rope halters, which are thicker than 'controller' halters but are very effective, you can usually get them from farm suppliers for about £5, . The secret is to hold the halter (or anything that you use to lead) close to the horse's mouth, this way it doesn't have the opportunity to get its head down and pull. If you still need a bit of re-inforcement then a schooling whip held in front of the face or chest can give the horse something to focus on and follow. Of course if you hold it in front of the chest, you can tap the horse to remind it of its manners, if necessary.

 

[wilsha]

i have seen them alot cheaper i think it might have been in shires but im tempted to get one for my pony asi have a similar problem especailly when loading

 

[Half-Halt]

Believe me, it's worth the money. Don't have to use it as a controller all the time either, can be used as just a normal headcollar so it's not just got one use. They're very very hardy headcollars.

 

[horsecrazy25]

I use this with my boy as he can become very strong. Works Great, he has now got great manners.

http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?imgu...l=en&biw=1280&bih=683&gbv=2&tbs=isch:1&itbs=1

You might be able to find a cheaper one in EBAY. x

 

[Lotty]

I haven't seen the Dually any cheaper. I have a Dually and it has just come out the closet My mare has been on box rest for nearly 5 months and I can now start taking her out for a short walk and 5 minutes of grass. Well, the last couple of days she has been full of it - squealing and full vertical rears. All I can say is thank goodness for my Dually.

 

[kal40]

I appreciate the prompt replies. We need to get something today - she really is being naughty. Even carrying a small whip she tends to drag us off.

I'm off to study both the dually and the rope halter closer.

Hopefully this will save us being pulled around the farm and tempers fraying.

 

[poodle20]

I got a 'second hand' dually off e-bay for £15. When it arrived it was like brand new, couldn't even tell it had been used. Might be worth a look on there.

 

[iconique]

I've not used a dually but we have used a controller lead rope that attaches to a normal headcollar. It is a leadrope with a loop at the end and has 2 clips, one attaches to either side and the pressure tightens against the chin and the poll as you pull - no its not cruel and you can lead normally but if the horse pulls it tightens.

You might be able to make one??

 

[Pearlsasinger]

I appreciate the prompt replies. We need to get something today - she really is being naughty. Even carrying a small whip she tends to drag us off.

I'm off to study both the dually and the rope halter closer.

Hopefully this will save us being pulled around the farm and tempers fraying.

If you can't get anything before tomorrow, put her out in her bridle. This will give much more control, and remember to hold her close to her mouth. Unfortunately horses can soon suss out a novice. I had an otherwise brilliant exRC Clydesdale mare, who I shared with sister's novice rugby-playing OH. He tried to lead her in at feed-time and she was a nightmare, she slammed him against the door frame, up against the door when we tried closing it. 9-stone very experienced sister took over and she never put a foot wrong!

 

[Storminateacup]

I find the western "pressure Headcollar" is best for control you can get them on ebay for about £9

 

[Brandy]

Ditto the comments re the Dually. Worth the money but can be found cheaper on ebay. You will probably need the black one (the colour denotes the size, my black one fits a chunky headed welsh sec C) Also, as said they can be used normally, and also be ridden in.

You have to be careful with any 'controlling' halter though as they can be quite sharp. Make sure whichever one you get releases the pressure too. Some rope halters don't.

 

[ElphabaFae]

Maybe try one of these http://www.robinsons-uk.com/products/ProductDetail.asp?ProductCode=56806&campaign=Basefeed

 

[narkymare]

I've not used a dually but we have used a controller lead rope that attaches to a normal headcollar. It is a leadrope with a loop at the end and has 2 clips, one attaches to either side and the pressure tightens against the chin and the poll as you pull - no its not cruel and you can lead normally but if the horse pulls it tightens.

You might be able to make one??

i bought one of these for my strong cob - £8 from robinsons - brilliant (called a kemp collar)

 

[Adina]

Any type of controller headcollar needs to be used by someone who understands how to do the pressure and release correctly. Even my OH can use a chifney correctly. My boy just takes the p... with a novice. He (the horse)has a sense of humour, doesn't go anywhere, just - "now you've got me, now you haven't".

 

[SusieT]

I have a lovely blue rope headcollar, good in that it isn't one that has slip knots in and you just tie a knot in it as you would buckle a normal headcollar.
Cost all of £7 and yet to have a horse who refuses to obey it!

 

[abbieandfiona]

i have the dullay however it doesnt work on my mare she still took off etc (she was used at a kelly marks demo so not me using it wrong) the only thing that works for me is the richard maxwell one which is the same price.

 

[FleabittenT]

Ditto Pearlsasinger, I would try leading her out in her bridle before buying a headcollar. Might just give you the bit more control your OH needs without having to spend anything

 

[hannah69]

Try the kemp controller, I have used it many times, the clips are a little weak but I spoke to inventor who was lovely and very helpful who says there is a new one coming on market in Spring 2011 with stronger clips but will still have a breaking point as all products have and need that go on a horses head.
Well Worth it.

 

[AndySpooner]

We use old-fashioned white rope halters, which are thicker than 'controller' halters but are very effective, you can usually get them from farm suppliers for about £5, . The secret is to hold the halter (or anything that you use to lead) close to the horse's mouth, this way it doesn't have the opportunity to get its head down and pull. If you still need a bit of re-inforcement then a schooling whip held in front of the face or chest can give the horse something to focus on and follow. Of course if you hold it in front of the chest, you can tap the horse to remind it of its manners, if necessary.

Oh!!

 

[Snoozinsusan]

Maybe try one of these http://www.robinsons-uk.com/products/ProductDetail.asp?ProductCode=56806&campaign=Basefeed

I normally use a dually on the bigger ponies and it has been great. Bought from ebay but still around £40.

My little mule had no manners when she arrived and she was so strong that I could not stop her, even in her bridle. Only about 10hh! Unfortunately the dually was too big for her but I bought one of these locally and it worked a treat. She quickly learned to lead and now only needs a normal headcollar but I will use this again when necessary. It can be used on headcollar or bridle and is suitable for all sizes so very versatile.