Dually Halter

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Trakehner92

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Hi all!

I just wondered if anyone has any experience with the Monty Roberts Dually Halters?

Now before everyone jumps on me about them being horrible ect ect here is my issue.

I have had my horse for 8 years and we compete regularly. He travels like a donkey in absolutely anything you put him in and is generally a superstar to load. The last 3 months he has been completely stubborn and is refusing to load ( no there is nothing wrong with him he has just got a bee in his bonnet!) and it's getting to the point where I'm dreading taking him anywhere in case we don't make it for the class or even worse ... He wont load to come home.

We went to a show a few weeks ago and it took us an hour and a half to load him to come back home. and then at the weekend I arrived an hour late to our ODE and very nearly missed my dressage because he took an hour to load Grrrr!!

Now we have done the whole practicing loading every evening and he is very smart. He will go on and off numerous times like a good little horse and then as soon as he realises we are actually going somewhere he plants his feet and spins his bum so we cant get him up the ramp.

We have tried ... food, a rope around his bum, a good general telling off, standing for an hour and being calm and patient and trying time and time again and he is just getting worse.

Has anyone tried the Halters for loading and did they work?

Also if anyone else has any other idea's that would be great. :)
 
Check the trailer. Are the tyre pressures correct?

We used rope halters for everything, except tying up or leaving in the field. (We also make them ourselves as I'm a converted Highlander and don't like spending money!).

Whatever type of force head collar you use, it is essential to fully understand pressure-and-release. Sorry if I am preaching to the converted!
 
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I used a dually to help load my stubborn boy. He did the same and just planted. And then he started rearing. Took 2hrs to get him home one day. Couple of nights practising with the dually and he now walks on in his head collar. I always have the dually with me just in case but he is totally over his loadibg aversion
 
Dry Rot said:
Check the trailer. Are the tyre pressures correct?

We used rope halters for everything, except tying up or leaving in the field. (We also make them ourselves as I'm a converted Highlander and don't like spending money!).

Whatever type of force head collar you use, it is essential to fully understand pressure-and-release. Sorry if I am preaching to the converted!
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Thank you for your reply! Well we mainly travel in a 4.5 tonne wagon but we have done all of the checks.

I've never been one for pressure head collars in all fairness but my horse is getting dangerous now after he reared up on the ramp yesterday and pulled me straight over. I wouldn't mind if he was unhappy when he was on or he didn't want to work when we got places but he travels like a rocking horse and loves being out competing. Just don't get it!

Dressagediva86 said:
I used a dually to help load my stubborn boy. He did the same and just planted. And then he started rearing. Took 2hrs to get him home one day. Couple of nights practising with the dually and he now walks on in his head collar. I always have the dually with me just in case but he is totally over his loadibg aversion
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Oh I'm so glad I'm not the only one. My horse has been with my for years and we have never had a problem. He's usually the horse we travel with the nervous horses to give them confidence and keep the company but now he gets to the bottom of the ramp ... Plants his feet and spins his bum out so its impossible to get him in the wagon! If you manage to stop him spinning he rears up and pulls you off of your feet! So frustrating. He pulled me off of my feet yesterday and cantered backwards down the drive.

I think I will invest in one. Just didn't want to spend all of that money if it wasn't going to make a difference but it's starting to frustrate me now.

E
 
Dry Rot said:
Check the trailer. Are the tyre pressures correct?

We used rope halters for everything, except tying up or leaving in the field. (We also make them ourselves as I'm a converted Highlander and don't like spending money!).

Whatever type of force head collar you use, it is essential to fully understand pressure-and-release. Sorry if I am preaching to the converted!
Click to expand...

Pressue halters can help, but make sure that you do some in-hand work in the halter first so that the horse understands what the pressure-and-release is. If you just put the halter on and load the horse without him knowing what the pressue is it could make things more confusing!
 
Damnation said:
Pressue halters can help, but make sure that you do some in-hand work in the halter first so that the horse understands what the pressure-and-release is. If you just put the halter on and load the horse without him knowing what the pressue is it could make things more confusing!
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Thank you. I will do. I don't want to force him on I just want him to learn to load again. I'm more than happy to put the ground work in. As long as there is some light at the end of the tunnel :)
 
Mines a clever git as well! Loads first time every time in his Dually. Wont set foot on the ramp in a normal headcollar. When I first started him using it I did a couple of sessions of ground work first. Never had an issue loading him since :)
 
Trakehner92 said:
Thank you. I will do. I don't want to force him on I just want him to learn to load again. I'm more than happy to put the ground work in. As long as there is some light at the end of the tunnel :)
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I do know someone who did "cure" a bad loader through a mixture of groundwork, patience and a pressure halter! They loaded the horse a few times in the halter then swapped to a normal headcollar to tie up once in the box.

After a few times the horse just loaded without. Good luck :)
 
FrankieCob said:
Mines a clever git as well! Loads first time every time in his Dually. Wont set foot on the ramp in a normal headcollar. When I first started him using it I did a couple of sessions of ground work first. Never had an issue loading him since :)
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Right .... I'm going to order one now. He's such a clever horse! Why are they so naughty lol! I was stood yesterday looking at him in despair thinking .... All this time and money I put in to you and you wont even load on the box to go to a show!! Stubborn Creature... He loves it when he's there. Prancing around the dressage or galloping across the xc.

I've got 2 weeks until out next comp so if I spend a couple of weeks doing the ground work and the practicing and then fingers crossed ... We will be on the box lol!
 
Damnation said:
I do know someone who did "cure" a bad loader through a mixture of groundwork, patience and a pressure halter! They loaded the horse a few times in the halter then swapped to a normal headcollar to tie up once in the box.

After a few times the horse just loaded without. Good luck :)
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Thank you ... We will have a go :)
 
It is worth bearing in mind that a reluctance to load can be a sign of a physical issue.

Has he been looked at by a vet/physio?
 
wench said:
It is worth bearing in mind that a reluctance to load can be a sign of a physical issue.

Has he been looked at by a vet/physio?
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Yep. He has been vet checked just 2 weeks ago and also receives regular physio treatments every 12 weeks. His teeth are completely up to date as is his saddle fit. He has had no change to his feed or routine and is on no medication other than piriton from the vets as he suffers from sweet itch.

There is nothing physically wrong with him. He is fit sound and healthy. He is just being generally stubborn. He isn't scared either and believe me I have had him long enough to recognise when he is generally having a strop.
 
Damnation said:
I'm sure you already know this but don't tie up attached to the pressure bit, always make sure you swap to the normal headcollar ring under the chin ti tie up in :)
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I must admit I was a bit puzzled on how to tie them up with it on but I had literally just seen that there is a normal head collar attachment that you can tie up with. The one I plan on ordering comes with the DVD so I think I will spend an evening studying the ins and outs of it and watching the DVD before I put it on the little terror!

Thank you :)
 
Trakehner92 said:
I must admit I was a bit puzzled on how to tie them up with it on but I had literally just seen that there is a normal head collar attachment that you can tie up with. The one I plan on ordering comes with the DVD so I think I will spend an evening studying the ins and outs of it and watching the DVD before I put it on the little terror!

Thank you :)
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There's a ring at the back in the normal place which you tie them up from. I've known really shocking loaders be converted by these. My girl's great in one. As said above, just make sure you study the video. Only problem I've found is that my girl knows immediately if I've put a normal headcollar on and takes the pee ;)
 
Bojingles said:
There's a ring at the back in the normal place which you tie them up from. I've known really shocking loaders be converted by these. My girl's great in one. As said above, just make sure you study the video. Only problem I've found is that my girl knows immediately if I've put a normal headcollar on and takes the pee ;)
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Oh fabulous!! I'm converted! Just need to figure out what size to buy as I've heard they come up big!

Hmm ... if he starts to take the pee in a normal head collar I may have to deal with this as a separate issue lol.

I'm generally loosing the will to live with the loading issue right now :(
 
I bought one for a bought in horse (big maxi cob). She was so rude it was a joke, I doubt she had ever been halter broken in her life. She took me into the chicken pen, the feed shed and I absailed behind her across the fields.

Bought a dually, watched the video and started ground work with her. Timing on the pressure and release is crucial but not rocket science. She changed into the most mannerly and polite cob very quickly, but she knows if she does not have it on so I do use it fairly regularly, especially when I am loading or if her turn out is in the far fields.

Once you have schooled them in it they take no pull on the lead rope, they do not get in front of you and life is so much easier. The only thing I would say is you may have to get tough and mean what you are saying to him for a moment or two.
 
AdorableAlice said:
I bought one for a bought in horse (big maxi cob). She was so rude it was a joke, I doubt she had ever been halter broken in her life. She took me into the chicken pen, the feed shed and I absailed behind her across the fields.

Bought a dually, watched the video and started ground work with her. Timing on the pressure and release is crucial but not rocket science. She changed into the most mannerly and polite cob very quickly, but she knows if she does not have it on so I do use it fairly regularly, especially when I am loading or if her turn out is in the far fields.

Once you have schooled them in it they take no pull on the lead rope, they do not get in front of you and life is so much easier. The only thing I would say is you may have to get tough and mean what you are saying to him for a moment or two.
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Great stuff. Thank you :) Sounds like a good investment.

He's so polite to lead or do anything else with so hopefully it wont take much with the dually on!
 
I find them cumbersome, and the pressure is applied in the wrong place as far as I can work out. A normal rope halter is much easier and clearer - you don't need any clever additions. You can put a normal headcollar over the top to tie up to. That said, I know a lot of horses respond well to them, so for me it's personal preference.
 
Yep, good results with me too. I used it on a sticky loader (he wouldn't go on alone but was fine in company). I got an IH person to come show me how to use it. We did some groundwork first, learning about the pressure and release, and then moved onto the movement needed to load (using poles on the ground set out in the same size). Worked a treat, although I did need to keep up the practice if we hadn't gone out solo for a while.

If you're not that experienced, I would get experienced help before you use it, but I've found it easy to use and effective.
 
Trakehner92 said:
Hi all!

I just wondered if anyone has any experience with the Monty Roberts Dually Halters?

Now before everyone jumps on me about them being horrible ect ect here is my issue.

I have had my horse for 8 years and we compete regularly. He travels like a donkey in absolutely anything you put him in and is generally a superstar to load. The last 3 months he has been completely stubborn and is refusing to load ( no there is nothing wrong with him he has just got a bee in his bonnet!) and it's getting to the point where I'm dreading taking him anywhere in case we don't make it for the class or even worse ... He wont load to come home.

We went to a show a few weeks ago and it took us an hour and a half to load him to come back home. and then at the weekend I arrived an hour late to our ODE and very nearly missed my dressage because he took an hour to load Grrrr!!

Now we have done the whole practicing loading every evening and he is very smart. He will go on and off numerous times like a good little horse and then as soon as he realises we are actually going somewhere he plants his feet and spins his bum so we cant get him up the ramp.

We have tried ... food, a rope around his bum, a good general telling off, standing for an hour and being calm and patient and trying time and time again and he is just getting worse.

Has anyone tried the Halters for loading and did they work?

Also if anyone else has any other idea's that would be great. :)
Click to expand...
Yes my horse ended up going to a Monty Roberts demo at our local riding club and was the demo horse in front of a crowd of 850 people, didn't phase him one little bit, bless him and we had a lesson in its use. The dually definitely is a useful tool. I also changed the trailer - added more ventilation, took off his travel boots and gave him a little radio to listen to whilst travelling. Gradually he got better with the help of the dually as well as the additions to the trailer, I'd say the last twenty times he's been on the trailer he had loaded without the need for the dually and within a split second, a couple of times he has practically gone in before me!

The dually was good for the start when he would just stand on the ramp and not move forwards. I would use it to 'reverse him off' and then move him forwards, and then he would load, usually after one rein back. Now he gets excited about going out in the trailer, and never refuses to load in either direction.

It was very disconcerting when he first refused to load, after seven plus years of going in like a saint he had a nasty experience at a show centre, with a pet pig introduction and it made him funny about loading for some strange reason.

I also lunge (have lunged about twice in twelve months - very rarely lunge anymore) and have also hacked out and cantered, and jumped in it too! He goes very well in it, and its very useful to have.
 
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Landcruiser said:
I find them cumbersome, and the pressure is applied in the wrong place as far as I can work out. A normal rope halter is much easier and clearer - you don't need any clever additions. You can put a normal headcollar over the top to tie up to. That said, I know a lot of horses respond well to them, so for me it's personal preference.
Click to expand...

I suppose they aren't for everyone but I'm willing to give it a go :)

Bernster said:
Yep, good results with me too. I used it on a sticky loader (he wouldn't go on alone but was fine in company). I got an IH person to come show me how to use it. We did some groundwork first, learning about the pressure and release, and then moved onto the movement needed to load (using poles on the ground set out in the same size). Worked a treat, although I did need to keep up the practice if we hadn't gone out solo for a while.

If you're not that experienced, I would get experienced help before you use it, but I've found it easy to use and effective.
Click to expand...

Perfect! Thank you :) I think I will.
 
applecart14 said:
Yes my horse ended up going to a Monty Roberts demo at our local riding club and was the demo horse in front of a crowd of 850 people, didn't phase him one little bit, bless him and we had a lesson in its use. The dually definitely is a useful tool. I also changed the trailer - added more ventilation, took off his travel boots and gave him a little radio to listen to whilst travelling. Gradually he got better with the help of the dually as well as the additions to the trailer, I'd say the last twenty times he's been on the trailer he had loaded without the need for the dually and within a split second, a couple of times he has practically gone in before me!

The dually was good for the start when he would just stand on the ramp and not move forwards. I would use it to 'reverse him off' and then move him forwards, and then he would load, usually after one rein back. Now he gets excited about going out in the trailer, and never refuses to load in either direction.

It was very disconcerting when he first refused to load, after seven plus years of going in like a saint he had a nasty experience at a show centre, with a pet pig introduction and it made him funny about loading for some strange reason.

I also lunge (have lunged about twice in twelve months - very rarely lunge anymore) and have also hacked out and cantered, and jumped in it too! He goes very well in it, and its very useful to have.
Click to expand...

Thank you for your reply.

We have no problem when we are actually in and he never comes off stressed or sweaty.

Horses are silly aren't they. The worst thing is he isn't scared and I know he isn't. He is just generally testing the water but it's becoming a big issue as we compete quite regular.

Thank you very much and I will give it a go.
 
Landcruiser said:
I find them cumbersome, and the pressure is applied in the wrong place as far as I can work out. A normal rope halter is much easier and clearer - you don't need any clever additions. You can put a normal headcollar over the top to tie up to. That said, I know a lot of horses respond well to them, so for me it's personal preference.
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^^^ This. A dually doesn't release the pressure swiftly enough, you just have to watch Monty Roberts to see how many times he walks back to a horse and adjusts the dually. I never realised this until I bought one and resulted in my horse rearing when it was used. Sold it and bought a horsemans halter (pressure halter) and 20ft line. Worked an absolute treat. Would never use or recommend a dually and have watched other people have issues with them.
 
I have never had issues with mine not realising.

I use mine for everyday use now, just switch between the rings as and when I need it.
 
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