Dually - worth the money?

D

Daniel_Jack

Well-Known Member
Joined
18 August 2017
Messages
255
Visit site
My new horse (chunky cob) is a lovely girl but she sometimes takes the odd notion to barge/dive for the grass/run over the top of you - I'd say 75% of the time she is good though and we do ground work most days - working on getting her to back up, move her hind quarters etc - again she is very good at this and understands what I'm asking but it's as if sometimes, the temptation is too much and she forgets her manners.

I'd bought a rope halter - very similar the Richard Maxwell one but I don't like it - the bit you clip on to the lead rope doesn't sit in the centre under her jaw but is to one side. I find that when I have to use it to apply pressure, it slips and the knots end up in the wrong place and as a result, it doesn't have the desired affect.

I'm probably using it wrong but it just doesn't seem to sit correctly.

I was considering a dually as she does respond well to putting the rope round her nose and it looks like the Dually is using the same type of nose pressure. I also like the idea that you can use it as a normal head collar and just apply the pressure when needed. I think you can also long line in them?

They are quite ££££ thought and I wonder about the potential damage of putting pressure on that part of the nose - could it do long term damage? I guess the hope would be that it would be used little and often especially if I keep up the ground work .I'm sure I' also ready somewhere that it doesn't always release properly?

Would welcome any reviews - good or bad!
 
I bought one to help load my horse, but I like it. You really do have to pull hard to apply a lot of pressure, my boy knows when he is wearing it and a small bit of pressure is enough to check him...so I don't think there's any concern over long term damage.

I'd try pick one up second hand...they normally come up on FB sites every few weeks for around £30. And you could always re-sell for that money if you didn't like it.
 
It sounds to me that your rope halter may be the wrong size or you may not be fitting it correctly if it is slipping. I personally hate the Dually halters, incredibly expensive and I don't like the fact that you don't get immediate release from pressure with them like you do with the rope halter, just watch MR in action as he keeps adjusting the nose and releasing the thinner ropes as he works. The rope halters release pressure the moment you release the pressure yourself. Perhaps you could post a picture so it can be seen how you are fitting it and can see if it is the right size.
 
When we moved yards mine became a bit difficult to handle, I don't want to label him as bargy because he's very big and you can quickly feel on the edge of control when he is in a big 'head up, positive walk'. He would take advantage and dive for grass which could be quite dangerous with a horse his size. I have a dually and it has been really good but I'm not sure if the dually can take all the credit. Both times we moved I had some ground work sessions to remind him of his manners, the first time with the dually, the second with a regular headcoller.

The staff at the yard are much more comfortable leading him in a dually instead of a headcoller, I prefer the headcoller simply because its easier to put on a big horse. I'm glad I have the dually and I wouldn't be without it but I don't think you can expect it to make a difference unless the ground work is well established. If your horse is barging, diving for grass and pushing you around then maybe you need to be firmer with the groundwork and consistent handling.

Just to add, in case this is helpful for others, my gelding is low in the herd pecking order so if you led him in front of the shoulder he would take the opportunity to 'herd' you. If I lead him by standing just at or behind his shoulder, he is like a different horse (although it is an odd feeling when your horse is the size of mine). This will only make a difference to a very small number of horses but it made a difference to mine.
 
Worth every penny for our tricky loader! She would walk so far onto the ramp then quietly go on strike, any pressure on a normal headcollar and she would be straight off again. With the dually we just slightly put pressure on and slowly she walks up away from the pressure. You do need to re organize it a bit every now and again. I like that there is loads of size adjustment .
 
Definitely worth the money - my horse knows when it is on and walks straight into the box. In fact I hardly ever have to put it on now - but it is there if I need it.

Beware though - when it is first applied many horses go up having not felt that type of pressure before - but used properly this will only happen at the start and it will rarely happen thereafter.
 
Fab piece of kit. MY 17hh Irish draught is a thug when led in a normal headcollar. Put him in his Dually and hes like a labrador puppy and stays right by my side without pulling. He knows when hes got it on and ive never actually had to pull hard on it.
 
I think that they are much better than feeding a leadrope round a horse's nose on a normal headcollar as the piece of rope over the nose moves a lot more freely on a Dually so pressure can be released very quickly.
 
Another vote for Duallys. They are expensive but very well worth it. Far kinder than things like the "be nice" or Commanche head collars. We bought one for a tricky loader initially - but it has proved invaluable for many others. You do need a correct fit - but there are only three sizes to choose from!! If you buy new you get a DVD showing you how to use it - that is well worth it. (Although it is also probably on something like you tube). It doesn't fit quite the same as a traditional headcollar and if you don't fit correctly it won't work as well.
 
Ruby's Mum said:
It sounds to me that your rope halter may be the wrong size or you may not be fitting it correctly if it is slipping. I personally hate the Dually halters, incredibly expensive and I don't like the fact that you don't get immediate release from pressure with them like you do with the rope halter, just watch MR in action as he keeps adjusting the nose and releasing the thinner ropes as he works. The rope halters release pressure the moment you release the pressure yourself. Perhaps you could post a picture so it can be seen how you are fitting it and can see if it is the right size.
Click to expand...

Ruby's Mum - agree - I have a Richard Maxwell rope halter and its works really well so if OP has one already its worth checking before money is spent on a Dually
 
I had a bargy one myself, and dealt with other people's, and the Richard Maxwell one did the same as yours, would slip. Not what you need if all hell is breaking loose.

I actually found the Be Nice one was the strongest, but not as flexible as there was no way on earth to tie up with it. For a very naughty one I would use the Be Nice, but then remove it in the box, which is a faff. Also the Be Nice could look like a puzzle if you picked it up and it had turned itself inside out!

The Dually was great as it was simple to use and easy to fit, it was strong enough, but you could still use it was a general halter if you clipped to the underside instead of the pressure ring - so no faffing in a box if you were loading.

I would second Ebay, co-incidentally I have one up at the moment (not advertising as too big for a cob) and it looks as if it will see for around £30 as another poster said. So, if you get one and don't like it you can just sell again.

They tend to be good value second hand as they do work, so people generally only use them for a few weeks.
 
Last edited:
I get on really well with the Richard Maxwell halter - it's really helped with my pony's difficult loading behaviour compared to the Dually, which he came with when he bought him but just didn't seem to respect.

I have a rubber martingale stop on the nose side (the bit you lead from) to stop the noseband getting too big or slipping down (a recommendation from my loading trainer). You can slide this on by undo-ing the knot and re-doing it afterwards. It stops you having to lead with your hand higher than you would normally to keep the halter on, but doesn't tighten the halter too much and still allows the pressure and release method to work. It also helps you get the halter the right way round when putting it on! :D

I also usually pop the halter on over the headcollar for security and if I'm not anticipating any drama (!) clip the leading bit to the normal headcollar ring under his chin (sort of "de-activating" it temporarily). If he starts prancing about like a lemon then we stop, unclip and work off the rope halter only. Since using the halter (which to be fair he only requires when loading) and in conjunction with plenty of groundwork, his behaviour is 100% better and he loads first time.

Overall the halter seems more effective for him than the Dually, which he just seemed to barge through and left marks on his nose. We've had similar results with my friend's bargy cob who just ploughs through the Dually but is respectful in the RM one.

So in summary, a good halter but try the martingale stop before buying something else! I can send you a picture of it on my pony if that would help x
 
I have a RM rope halter and found it difficult to handle at first but with a bit of practice I now have the hang of it.

When he was showing me how to use it he advised using it with a normal headcollar to help use it as a guide to where the halter should be it also helps to keep it in the right place
 
i love love love LOOOVE my Dually! it is the best bit of kit I own!
My horse is a saint most of the time but the odd occasion he can be bargy, try to pull of and just be damn right rude.
I purchased a dually within a month of having him and had lessons on how to use it, it was great but It took me a while to learn to leave him alone and not keep a feel on the lead rope.
I had a refresher on how to use it a few months ago and I cant stress how amazing it is. My boy got one over on me and I started to lead him in a bridle and a lunge line which I hated, to me it was too extreme as he had been perfect for months but suddenly discovered his strength and was using it against me. I switched back to the Dually and a lunge line, he tried two more times and hasn't tried since (its been over 3 months now)

He now walks nicely, still with a lunge line for my own piece of mind. I have the line really lose and he knows to stay with me and be a respectful boy.

Since then I have used it for loading and stable manors and it works a treat :)
 
Daniel_Jack said:
Here is a link to the one that I have - sorry don't have any pictures of it on my horse but it's on size fits all apparently.


https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Natural-...050704?hash=item213bac07d0:g:qoMAAMXQDjhQ8yRD
Click to expand...

Ok now I see the type you mean, I would imagine it isn't a halter that is easy to use immediately and will take practice. I personally use just horseman rope halters and I find these are far more useful and offer up immediate pressure release. I would suggest you either practice or seek advice to show you how to use the one you have, rather than parting with more money thinking the Dually will immediately solve your issues. I have had a Dually many years ago when they first came over to the UK and like a previous poster my big lad became an even bigger issues as he reared using the Dually and even after getting an intelligent horsemanship associate out, we needed up ditching the Dually as it caused more issues and he hated that he couldn't find the release (would grow his head around until the nose ropes were released manually.
 
Horsekaren said:
i love love love LOOOVE my Dually! it is the best bit of kit I own!
My horse is a saint most of the time but the odd occasion he can be bargy, try to pull of and just be damn right rude.
I purchased a dually within a month of having him and had lessons on how to use it, it was great but It took me a while to learn to leave him alone and not keep a feel on the lead rope.
I had a refresher on how to use it a few months ago and I cant stress how amazing it is. My boy got one over on me and I started to lead him in a bridle and a lunge line which I hated, to me it was too extreme as he had been perfect for months but suddenly discovered his strength and was using it against me. I switched back to the Dually and a lunge line, he tried two more times and hasn't tried since (its been over 3 months now)

He now walks nicely, still with a lunge line for my own piece of mind. I have the line really lose and he knows to stay with me and be a respectful boy.

Since then I have used it for loading and stable manors and it works a treat :)
Click to expand...

Thank you. Any tips to share form your experience? I like mine and have not really been challenged by my horse. I am careful about when to apply and when to release.
 
I always have one handy when travelling. I have one horse who runs on when going anywhere but returning home sometimes will hesitate, he has 3 chances then the dually comes out , he is getting too smart for his own good now as as soon as he sees it he will run on the trailer !
 
I have a dually. I think its great - its well worth the money. Its well made - I have had mine for a number of years and its outlasted most head collars.
 
Hack4fun said:
Thank you. Any tips to share form your experience? I like mine and have not really been challenged by my horse. I am careful about when to apply and when to release.
Click to expand...

I suppose my biggest tip is to leave them alone, in order to be ready to use it at any moment the line must always be slack unless applying pressure to get the to move forward. My trainer came out on a day my horse was being particularly trying! Thank goodness!

Don't be afraid to use it! and firmly! a quick sharp tug on the rope soon gets their attention . For example i know when my boy is thinking about sodding off as he will speed up (literally for one stride then poof as soon as his head is in front of my shoulder he will cut me up and run. As soon as i feel that stride speed up i do a quick firm tug on the rope (some times two or three) he will stand, i back him out of my space then i wait for him to lower his head and we continue nicely. If i dont catch the first sign and he gets ahead i let the line go really loose, he takes about three - four strides of canter and i then pull the line and it breaks his stride. Sounds silly but when he has already got in front of me i have to let him take those 3 -4 strides as that is the magic moment where you can pull him back and unbalance him, but to do this you do need a longer line and you must let them go. The worst thing i can do is try and hold him with the tight rope, as soon as he is in front of me i will never win that way, that is how he realized his strength in the first place was with me skiing in the mud behind him lol

We have completely changed our leading style, as much as i want to sing in his ear and tickle his neck when i lead him i cant have him that close. I now lead from the front, there is about a meter between us, he must be behind me to the side! if he comes too close i wiggle the rope and flap my arm and he stops invading my space. Its a bit of a cow boy style of leading but its works a treat, he walks behind, at my speed with his head low :D
It only took 15 mins to train him to do this, i walked, i put my hand up to stop, if he was to close i wiggle the rope and keep my feet still, he goes back and we keep stopping and starting until he stops as soon as i put my hand up and doesnt invade my space.

My trainer explained to me to mirror his behavior with it. So if i am grooming in his stable and he takes a step into my space, i say back, he can feel me go to apply a tiny bit of pressure and he goes back willingly. If he is trying to run off then i really do a big tug, 2/3/4 times until he is focused on me. Same with when he decides to plant, i pull the rope, keeping the pressure constant and as soon as he stops resisting the pressure disappears completely.

Good luck! it really is a fantastic bit of kit!
 
I bought a Dually when I bought my mare - Id taken her on her 2nd day with me to a natural horseperson and she wouldnt load to go home so I was suckered into buying a dually - like the one the NH person used to get her loading. Obviously poor mare - stupid me - shouldnt have been taken out for NH schooling on day 2 but left to get on with finding out where she was etc etc.
Turned out to be the sweetest mare so Dually laid unused in tack locker for 2 years.
Then after colic surgery - another story and v long - she had to be hand walked 3x daily. Lots of people had to do this inc my very unhorsy hubby, The Dually was just the best thing for his confidence in controlling her in hand and lifting her back up once she'd had the prescribed minutes at grass. So was v chuffed to have it lingering there in the back of the locker
 
Thanks all - given the mostly positve reviews, I've ordered one :). It will be useful for long lining and I'm hoping i can even ride in it :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top