Headcollars/halters - light hearted thread.

[Meowy Catkin]

I have a friend who is very fussy about what she uses on her horse and it got me thinking.

Do you only use a certain design or material and do you have preferences when it comes to leadropes too? If so why?

Also - if you have one with a clip on the throatlash, do you adjust the buckles so it fits the horse and from then on undo the clip to remove/put on the headcollar without touching the buckles again?

 

[Spring Feather]

All my halters are beautiful quality leather halters. I don't like clips on the throatlatch on halters; none of mine have them. I have tons and tons of leather halters and many growing horses so they all get recycled on other youngsters for years.

Lead ropes; mine are leather shanks with dog leash clip and 100% cotton lead ropes with proper old traditional brass clip (like giant dog leash clip_

 

[Auslander]

I usually drag mine round by the forelock...

 

[Meowy Catkin]

I usually drag mine round by the forelock...

LOL

 

[MissMistletoe]

I like the headcollar to be leather, with a jaw clip for ease of putting on/off.

Ropes need to have clips rather then snap hooks.

If using nylon, I like the Cottage Craft fully adjustable ones with decent fittings (not those cheap pretend metal ones!)

I have also developed a disliking of those rings that the rope clips onto which are loose rather than fixed on.

 

[nikicb]

I usually drag mine round by the forelock...

Actually, I like winter as I can drag them around by their rugs. Failing that I just let them out in the morning and chase them back in at night.

ETA if I use headcollars, they are usually leather and I leave the buckle done up and clip/unclip the throat latch.

 

[TPO]

I'm surprisingly fussy about headcollars. They have to be the "right" colour.

I do love shopping for horse stuff but with headcollars I tend to find one that is theirs until it's done. They usually have halter a for "good" too; although good in my case is usually a vet visit!

When I've lost horses the only thing I've been sentimental about is their headcollars. I've unfortunately got a collection of them now but nowhere to keep them so drive around with them in the boot of my car!

When I bought my new youngster I couldn't find a headcollar that I liked and he has ended up using the headcollar of my mare that I lost back in feb 2008. I'd never have imagined it ending up on my own QH baby!

Getting back to your point I use halter a with throat clips, adjust the headcollar to fit then put it over their ears. I think it's good training as that's how you put a bridle on too

 

[WelshD]

I like the cushionweb two tone type headcollars, most of my headcollars have a clip at the throat but I put them on by the buckles only

I detest the flat cushionweb lead reins and also the shiny smooth ones and prefer a thin (usually two twist) rope as opposed to the chunky multi twist ropes

 

[Peregrine Falcon]

I too loathe the headcollars with the loose ring. My friend has one or two and April came with one. Yuck!

We have a collection of foal, small pony, pony, cob and horse ones.

We had someone else sharing the field once (it didn't last very long) and she had this awful habit of arranging the headcollars without the leadropes. What was the bl**dy point in that?!

 

[MissMistletoe]

Another bug bear!

On some headcollars, those stupid 'wobbly' tongues on the buckles that don't stay still when you are trying to put them through the holes on the straps!

Even worse, the straps that are too wide for the buckles - my goodness who designs these things?!!!

I always resort back to my old faithful leather headcollars with the jaw clips, and I always put headcollars up with ropes rolled up neatly.

 

[Shooting Star]

For everyday use it has to be synthetic and have a clip on the throat, fitted once then use the clip from there on in.
Way to much mud around to use leather plus we tend to leave the headcollars at the field gate as we only have 3 in the field so far easier if headcollars are to hand in case of going out to get one in then finding that you've got to bring another.

For best always leather and preferably with a clip throat but would always go for quality over a clip throat.

Always has to have a loose ring to attach the lead too, strongly dislike static rings as any panic movements when they're tied up before the string breaks tend to lead to a headcollar dangerously close to the eye IMO.

... And it has to be a cotton rope with a regular clip, not trigger or quick release!

I'm not fussy at all

 

[Ladyinred]

Love the Cottage Craft ones and they seem to last forever. However, the first thing we do is to turn round the flat clip on the nearside so there is no chance of it ever digging into the horse.. nasty things. Means all our headcollars have a permanent twist in them but it doesn't show and it's a small price to pay for safety.

Leather ones are great and we do have them for special occaisions but otherwise we stick to the CC and stick them in a bucket of soapy water very now and then. We have one that we have used several times a day for the last 12 years and it hasn't so much as frayed.

 

[Charmin]

Synthetic around the yard as they're left outside in all weathers and generally abused and I couldn't do that to a leather one. If turned out in a head collar it's always leather one in case of entanglement.

Always travelled and leather ones used out and about so they can snap when tied to the trailer.

Leadropes have to be cotton and clip you push down on to release. No big knots at the end. Detest webbing ropes.

I always flick over and buckle up. However hardly ever tuck the end through the buckle so it takes no more time than pulling over ears and clipping. I'd never seen unclipping and pulling off before moving to my yard now. Mare's used to both ways but I find flick over and buckle quicker and less faff if horse has muddy ears or is soggy - less contact!

 

[Alyth]

LOL I only use rope halters nowadays.....light so they are not annoying and don't rub, thin so signals are precise and in an emergency (not happened yet) very easy to cut off....

 

[photo_jo]

The best ones are from www.englishbridles.co.uk - superb leather, beautifully made and incredibly good value. I've bought three, one for me and two as presents!! :smile3::smile3::smile3:

 

[Dry Rot]

LOL I only use rope halters nowadays.....light so they are not annoying and don't rub, thin so signals are precise and in an emergency (not happened yet) very easy to cut off....

…and they can be scrumpled up and shoved into a pocket, home made so cost no more than the rope to make them. I don't really understand why people buy the fancy NH designs.

IF I buy nylon head collars, I get the cheap ones with white metal buckles that break! I don't believe the leather ones are safer.

 

[HollyWoozle]

My mare came with a nice John Whitaker synthetic head collar which fits her nicely and seems to be comfortable, though I would love to have a nice leather one for her.

I bought a pretty colour one with faux sheepskin over the nose... the second it touched her nose she took off up the field not to be seen again for sometime. Then I thought "OK, well, my Mum's horse can have it instead" and he was freaked out by it too. Oh to have horses that are not muppets!

 

[Nudibranch]

I'm another who keeps the oldies' headcollars when they're gone, they hang up in a neat row in the barn.
Currently using halters in a sort of cotton material as the youngster is approaching elephant size but still likes to play, and the new boy naps occasionally if removed from his pal. Always a cotton leadrope with the old fashioned dog lead clips as well. Though I have a lovely long soft training rope from the chandlers which is great for unruly babies who like to show off their soles now and again.
I have leather ones but rarely use them so they are invariably a source of extra work keeping the mould off.

 

[catkin]

All my horses have/had leather headcollars except Sheltie who has a neat little driving underhalter as it's neater and lighter on her wee head. No jaw clips. Our leadropes are always long, 10-12 foot, and with the smallest, lightest clip that will do the job - I absolutely hate heavy clips.

We've also always got a few Welsh-halters/market-halters around the place - great for catching up in a hurry as they are easily adjustable, they've doubled up as dog leads too.

We've got a family tradition of spending each horse's first winnings on a brass nameplate for their headcollars - they are also lovely keepsakes when the horse is no more.

 

[Auslander]

I have a dog slip lead hanging in my field shelter. It makes a fantastic emergency catching device - it's basically a headcollar with a handle.

 

[Cinnamontoast]

Leather headcollar here, don't care too much about the leadrope as long as it unties easily.

 

[Feival]

Not really fussed, but I do like throatlash clips. As long as the fit correctly so they don't rub, I'm happy. Lead ropes anything not to long with a trigger clip.

 

[cobgoblin]

Leather head collars and long thick cotton lead ropes. Not bothered about throat lash clips as I undo the neck strap and all mine are taught to put their heads into the head collar.

 

[The Fuzzy Furry]

Leather for going out in anywhere, with good qual leadrope.

Home I use webbing headcollars, pref with no throat clip (less clips the better) but mostly I either have a handful of mane (Tiny Fuzzy) or just a rope round CF's neck as he has no mane or forelock to grab.
They are adjusted to size when brought new.
My 2 prob only have headcollars on once a week, despite being handled twice daily going in & out :redface3: That said, I DO take them home to shove in the washing machine 3 or 4 times a year

Poor TF didn't have her 'own' headcollar for nearly a year after she came, as had arrived with a perfectly servicable webbing mini one

 

[Auslander]

My emergency headcollar was called into service this morning...
It is slightly too short to fit round Alfs big fat common head, but he doesn't seem to mind it like this.

 

[Kadastorm]

pony has to have a brown head collar, currently a brown leather one with cheek clips which helps for easy catch and release! Lead rope has to be matchy matchy, so I have the Rambo brown and beige one to match his stable rugs and sheet haha.

 

[milliepops]

We've got a family tradition of spending each horse's first winnings on a brass nameplate for their headcollars - they are also lovely keepsakes when the horse is no more.

My mare bought her own leather headcollar with her first winnings We use that for anything that involves travelling as I won't travel a horse in a nylon headcollar.

I like the ones with throatlash clips. Horsewear would be my choice for everyday. I had to buy Kira a cheapy headcollar with a nose that unbuckles easily though, as she developed a habit of bogging off while I put the bridle on/off otherwise.

Trigger clips only, I hate the leadropes with walsall clips and I prefer synthetic braided ropes over cotton twist, they seem to stay looking smart for longer!

Good job we are all different, it means there's such a lot of choice

 

[Slave2Magic]

Arab mare has a cottage craft nylon one as they seem to fit her well. 17h youngster has a rope halter as that is what he has done all his groundwork in since a yearling.

 

[twiggy2]

halter for ground work not daily use.

leather head collar for daily use,in fact she has three (one has a muzzle attached to it),they are used everyday,left on the gate in all weathers and are fine as long as they get treated every now and then-I hate nylon head collars.

 

[Lammy]

I don't think I'm too fussy with head collars really - I like the quick release clips as long as they can lay flat against the horses cheek. They're very handy when you have a youngster who continually tries to hang himself on fencing when he's tied up as I can just slip the thing off his head rather than trying to undo the buckle. Ella has had her head collar since I got her, no idea what make it is now, think it's Shires. But whenever I try to replace it with a new one, I end up using the new one for a few days and then revert back to her old one. I love it even if it is now slightly frayed and battered. Can't for the life of me think of what kind of material it is, webbed of some description. And for travelling/shows she has a lovely leather head collar with a name plate on it, which the poor man at Burghley had to try and squish on and spell.