Halter with a top closure

[MaaikeH]

Hello,

I joined here with a very specific question. Or actually with a specific search.

My little bit sensitive and head shy horse has always had the Mark Todd safety halter. Easy because it has a top closure and she doesn't like anyone to touch her ears. In addition, she wears it in the pasture and therefore also on the way there. So I am looking for a replacement (the Mark Todd's are no longer made). But I can't find a comparable safety halter with a top closure. Are there people here with tips for a halter?

(I know, the horse has to learn it. But she has scars on her ears and every time people are clumsy with putting it on, she is upset for days.)

Thanks

 

[DressageCob]

What do you mean by top closure?

 

[lynz88]

Do you mean like a clip at the side?

 

[MaaikeH]

Sorry I wasn't clear.
The throatlatch is closed and the closure goes over the head. When you put the headcollar on, you put the headpiece behind the ears before you close it.

This photo shows the headcollar: https://www.wychanger.com/images/products/large/8714.jpg
The snap to close the headcollar is on the right under the slide buckle.

 

[Equi]

So basically any halter ever made?

 

[lynz88]

I think all halters are made like that. Mine has a clip though and I use the clip as is easier (I also only ever buy leather halters)

 

[Jenko109]

I'm so confused how this is different to any other headcollar?

My brain just cannot compute.

 

[FieldOrnaments]

They're all like this, if we're picturing what you mean as you mean it.

As an aside one of my pet hates is people who don't undo headcollars but leave them done up and just push/pull them over the ears.

 

[Equi]

They're all like this, if we're picturing what you mean as you mean it.

As an aside one of my pet hates is people who don't undo headcollars but leave them done up and just push/pull them over the ears.

I’m the opposite when doing up 14 head collars a day to turn out/bring in an over the head one is very welcome especially in the rain and wind! My absolute mega pet peeve is people having head collars that are too small meaning you struggle to get even the first hole on the thing.

 

[DressageCob]

I was confused because I was thinking that every head collar is built like that!

I use a field safe head collar like this one https://www.horseware.com/en-gb/field-safe-headcollar

this is similar from a different brand https://www.viovet.co.uk/Hy-Fieldsa...efe8xt4Z_7dVqzdNZjOlD2RQ2H6YHCjkaAr3ZEALw_wcB

Here's another option https://www.viovet.co.uk/Safety-hal...6IlmPlpS6txGn1Uldes0AX7J19VSc_XQaAiS_EALw_wcB

 

[FieldOrnaments]

I’m the opposite when doing up 14 head collars a day to turn out/bring in an over the head one is very welcome especially in the rain and wind! My absolute mega pet peeve is people having head collars that are too small meaning you struggle to get even the first hole on the thing.

i use the same headcollar for each horse (despite having enough for about 3 per horse because pretty colours lol) and always prefer too big than too small. too small ones must be SO uncomfortable for the pony

 

[Jambarissa]

If you don't mind synthetic pioneer endurance do lots of different closures or would probably make one to order.

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

So basically any halter ever made?

That photo is of a headcollar not a halter. No wonder no-one knows what OP means.

 

[MaaikeH]

I was confused because I was thinking that every head collar is built like that!

I use a field safe head collar like this one https://www.horseware.com/en-gb/field-safe-headcollar

this is similar from a different brand https://www.viovet.co.uk/Hy-Fieldsa...efe8xt4Z_7dVqzdNZjOlD2RQ2H6YHCjkaAr3ZEALw_wcB

Here's another option https://www.viovet.co.uk/Safety-hal...6IlmPlpS6txGn1Uldes0AX7J19VSc_XQaAiS_EALw_wcB

The first one and last one are normal closures. So that was not what I was looking for. I know you can unbuckle them. But if one person does not, she will be hell for the next person in the morning. For her I want the no-mistake-option. The second one I am going to google a bit more. It looks like a good one. The closing is good, looks like there is velcro on the headband. Not sure about the noseband. But maybe I can do something with that. Thank you

If you don't mind synthetic pioneer endurance do lots of different closures or would probably make one to order.

Going to send them a email. On the site is no safety option... But maybe the can make it. Thank you to.

 

[Skib]

Head collars puzzle me too. As an adult beginner I was taught to undo the side clip, take the long head strap, pass it under the horse's neck and reach over to take hold of it . The dangling nose band was then clear to see and most horses put their nose in and allow one to lift it into place. Then you fasten the buckle on the head strap so the head collar lies on the bone of the nose .
At my present yard staff leave the headstrap buckled and you have to lift it over the ears . They must find this quicker but it mystifies me . I still need to do it the way I was taught .

 

[teacups]

That photo is of a headcollar not a halter. No wonder no-one knows what OP means.

The OP's username MaaikeH suggests she or her horse are not based in or from the UK, maybe explains use of 'halter'.

Apart from that, the picture shown by her looks like a normal headcollar to me, with extra side clip so you have both options of buckle, or to lift over the head and fasten at side with clip.

 

[criso]

It possibly depends on the horse but I find the side clip much easier than the overhead strap and buckle.

If the horse is being difficult, it's quite easy to let go of the strap which then slips back over and you have to start again. Buckles and the straps that go into them can get stiff especially the nylon ones,. It's less faff to clip onto the ring than do up a buckle.

However if as the OP, the horse doesn't like things going over the ears, then you have to use the strap. Have to undo bridles too.

A quick Google suggests that the mark Todd one is still available but maybe not where the op is however lots of fieldsafe optiona have the same design so maybe search for fieldsafe head collar.

 

[Tiddlypom]

I always buckle up the headpiece safely behind the ears. I can’t work the side clip thing on the throat lash on some some head collars at all - I ignore that.

The below from Bristol uni using a basic standard headcollar is pretty much what I do.

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

I always buckle up the headpiece safely behind the ears. I can’t work the side clip thing on the throat lash on some some head collars at all - I ignore that.

The below from Bristol uni using a basic standard headcollar is pretty much what I do.

View attachment 145582

So much easier to use an actual halter.

 

[Tiddlypom]

So much easier to use an actual halter.

That’s in your opinion . I don’t think so - I hate rope halters. Give me a headcollar every time. I’ve never had a horse tricky to catch or to put a traditional headcollar on and off including the RSPCA fosters.

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

That’s in your opinion . I don’t think so - I hate rope halters. Give me a headcollar every time. I’ve never had a horse tricky to catch or to put a traditional headcollar on and off including the RSPCA fosters.

Interesting!
I've never had one tricky to catch with a rope halter, including the Appaloosa mare who we were told was difficult to catch. On the 2nd day here she jumped over the wall into the farm next door to spend time with their pony, our hearts sank but a bucket with a few nuts in and a rope halter soon had her back home (after we had taken the wall down). We think she just objects to the jangling noise that a headcollar makes.

 

[criso]

If a horse doesn't like something going over the ears then a halter or using a side clip on the head collar will be an issue so you'd have to unbuckle the head strap every time.

If I've got an unproblematic horse then a side clip (or halter ) is so much easier than doing up a buckle.

.

 

[TPO]

I think OP possible means a headcollar with the only option yo be a buckle ie can't unclip throat and remove/attempt to put on over ears?

 

[criso]

I think OP possible means a headcollar with the only option yo be a buckle ie can't unclip throat and remove/attempt to put on over ears?

I assumed they wanted one with a buckle that was also field safe.

 

[TPO]

I assumed they wanted one with a buckle that was also field safe.

Sorry, forgot the field safe bit.

 

[criso]

Here's one that does up over the head but velcro not a buckle

Rhinegold Field Safe Head Collar - Adjustable Velcro Turnout Metal-Free

Rhinegold Field Safe Head Collar – A must-have for horse owners prioritizing safety during turnout. This adjustable, velcro-released head collar ensures your horse is protected without compromising comfort. Ideal for sensitive horses, it features a metal-free design, making it perfect for those...

www.justhorseriders.co.uk

 

[criso]

The Thinline one as well but expensive

ThinLine Flexible Breakaway Field Safe Headcollar

The ThinLine Flexible Breakaway Halter is designed for a very comfortable and secure fit. Know your horse is safe on the field with the leather break-away piece which is adjustable at the crown. The halter intentionally does not have an adjustable noseband and you might feel the noseband is a...

gsequestrian.co.uk

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

If a horse doesn't like something going over the ears then a halter or using a side clip on the head collar will be an issue so you'd have to unbuckle the head strap every time.

If I've got an unproblematic horse then a side clip (or halter ) is so much easier than doing up a buckle.

.

The beauty of a proper old-fashioned rope halter, not a NH type, is that you can make the head stall so big that the horse doesn't realise that it's going over its ears. However that wouldn't fit the field-safe criterion that I had missed.

 

[criso]

The beauty of a proper old-fashioned rope halter, not a NH type, is that you can make the head stall so big that the horse doesn't realise that it's going over its ears. However that wouldn't fit the field-safe criterion that I had missed.

True but when you have great big horses with their heads up, it's difficult not to touch the ears even if you're tallish like me. Luckily they are used to a bridle so don't mind.

 

[Pippity]

Here's one that does up over the head but velcro not a buckle

Rhinegold Field Safe Head Collar - Adjustable Velcro Turnout Metal-Free

Rhinegold Field Safe Head Collar – A must-have for horse owners prioritizing safety during turnout. This adjustable, velcro-released head collar ensures your horse is protected without compromising comfort. Ideal for sensitive horses, it features a metal-free design, making it perfect for those...

www.justhorseriders.co.uk

I had the Rhinegold one for when I was trying a muzzle. Unfortunately, it's much TOO field safe! One rub and it was off.

On the bright side, I got it in neon pink so it was very easy to find.