Lunging in a dually head collar

[Keira 8888]

Hi guys,

hope you are all well. I’m after some advice please.

I was getting Prince ready to lunge this morning and just as I was about to pop his bridle on (Ive always lunged him in his bridle) the lady in the stable next to us says that her horse was about to have shock wave therapy and it was very loud - so prob best for me to take P out.

Because I get clumsy with the bridle if I have to put it on quickly I decided to just pop his dually head collar on instead and use that (without side reins)

We pottered out to the field (we have a lovely flat area for lunging when the ground is suitable) and he went very well in it. The only thing I’m now worried about is I used the schooling ring rather than the ring under the chin.....

He seemed to learn quite quickly that if he pulled too far out of our circle he could release the pressure himself by coming back to me - but I looked it up as soon as I got home and found some forum entries to suggest using the schooling ring for lunging is a big no no as it applies too much constant pressure.

What does everyone think? Like I say, he went very well and sussed out very quickly how to take the pressure away.

I’m going to return to using the bridle but should I decide to use the dually again I want to make sure I’m using the right ring! Surely by lunging with the ring under the chin it would be no different that just a normal head collar?

Thanks guys!
Keira x

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

I don't like the Dually, anyway but I would think that lunging in it is counter productive. You don't actually want the horse to learn to come in unless asked to do so. You don't have to lunge in a bridle if you prefer not to do so, many people use a traditional lunge cavesson.

 

[Keira 8888]

I don't like the Dually, anyway but I would think that lunging in it is counter productive. You don't actually want the horse to learn to come in unless asked to do so. You don't have to lunge in a bridle if you prefer not to do so, many people use a traditional lunge cavesson.

Aha! I have one of those - the head collar with lots of rings on it? Thanks! I will give that a whirl tomorrow. X

 

[Keira 8888]

Aha! I have one of those - the head collar with lots of rings on it? Thanks! I will give that a whirl tomorrow. X

What are your thoughts on the dually - why don’t you like it? X

 

[JackFrost]

If he's sussed out how to use the dually. I wouldn't see a problem using it on a side ring. There might be an issue if he hadn't learnt how to respond appropriately to it, as it could be a bit harsh, especially at speed. I have used a dually for lunging, riding, leading etc. I think some horses are maybe better with it than others. To me it seems like an expensive headcollar, and how effective it is has more to do with operator skill than the product itself.

 

[Keira 8888]

If he's sussed out how to use the dually. I wouldn't see a problem using it on a side ring. There might be an issue if he hadn't learnt how to respond appropriately to it, as it could be a bit harsh, especially at speed. I have used a dually for lunging, riding, leading etc. I think some horses are maybe better with it than others. To me it seems like an expensive headcollar, and how effective it is has more to do with operator skill than the product itself.

Fantastic, thank you so much ? Luckily we do a lot of ground work in the dually so he’s familiar with the pressure and release relationship. Maybe that’s why he seemed to click quite quickly with the lunging. But I think I will stick to my bridle or cavesson from now though as I don’t want to ruin our progress in others area - need to gain more “operator skill” first ? x

 

[TPO]

In PaS's camp. I absolutely hate them.

They dont release quickly enough and it's far too easy for them to be used incorrectly.

I have never been a fan of them but even more so when a "professional" trainer used one for a short time on my horse. He was brought straight home but already his nose was rubbed and bruised.

Not the fault of the halter but I've seem them purchased numerous times for bargey and bad mannered horses. The handler takes zero time to teach pressure/release and the end result is horse still barges but now with human applying maximum pressure hanging off the halter. Again that's not the fault of the product but monkey see, monkey do and pretty soon (albeit on my limited livery yard experience seeing them used) everyone is hanging off the halters as if that constant pressure is acceptable.

Personally if using a halter for groundwork or riding I prefer a rope halter. It's fine enough for communication and the release is instant. I recommend a healthy dose of watching Buck Brannaman to groundwork too for really pinpointing releases

 

[Keira 8888]

In PaS's camp. I absolutely hate them.

They dont release quickly enough and it's far too easy for them to be used incorrectly.

I have never been a fan of them but even more so when a "professional" trainer used one for a short time on my horse. He was brought straight home but already his nose was rubbed and bruised.

Not the fault of the halter but I've seem them purchased numerous times for bargey and bad mannered horses. The handler takes zero time to teach pressure/release and the end result is horse still barges but now with human applying maximum pressure hanging off the halter. Again that's not the fault of the product but monkey see, monkey do and pretty soon (albeit on my limited livery yard experience seeing them used) everyone is hanging off the halters as if that constant pressure is acceptable.

Personally if using a halter for groundwork or riding I prefer a rope halter. It's fine enough for communication and the release is instant. I recommend a healthy dose of watching Buck Brannaman to groundwork too for really pinpointing releases

Thanks TPO - will take that onboard about the release not being quick enough. I do have a rope halter too - I will dust it off and see how we go with that too. I need to practice putting it on so the knots are in the right places.

That can be my task for tomorrow!

thank you xx

 

[TPO]

Thanks TPO - will take that onboard about the release not being quick enough. I do have a rope halter too - I will dust it off and see how we go with that too. I need to practice putting it on so the knots are in the right places.

That can be my task for tomorrow!

thank you xx

That's just my opinion, others might love them.

This vid might help with the tying. That actual tying starts at 1:17

Under and up! Ha ha

 

[MidChristmasCrisis]

Definitely don’t lunge on the schooling/rope tightening ring...If Prince ran hard and fast away some real damage could be done. I do use the dually if necessary with a new horse if bargeyness and bad manners arise. Mine hasn’t been used for 4 years now.

 

[Keira 8888]

Fab

That's just my opinion, others might love them.

This vid might help with the tying. That actual tying starts at 1:17

Under and up! Ha ha

Fab!! Thank you! I will chant that to myself - under and up!

 

[Keira 8888]

Definitely don’t lunge on the schooling/rope tightening ring...If Prince ran hard and fast away some real damage could be done. I do use the dually if necessary with a new horse if bargeyness and bad manners arise. Mine hasn’t been used for 4 years now.

Ok - phew, so glad he didn’t do that. Lucky escape ?? Thank you ?

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

As TPO says, the release isn't fast enough for my liking. I use a traditional rope halter, which also has the benefit of being easy to put on and take off quickly with no fiddling. I also dislike the thin rope that Dually is made from and I have never seen one used well.

 

[Keira 8888]

As TPO says, the release isn't fast enough for my liking. I use a traditional rope halter, which also has the benefit of being easy to put on and take off quickly with no fiddling. I also dislike the thin rope that Dually is made from and I have never seen one used well.

Seems crazy that they are marketed as the “go to” tool for ill mannered horses. But I guess as it was pointed out - it’s all down to the skill of the handler. But if the handier were that skilled - surely a rope halter would suffice?! I’m curious to see how Prince will behave in his rope halter when I try it tomorrow. Funnily enough it was the first item I ever bought him! I just felt too intimidated to use it as I wasn’t sure that all the knots were currently positioned over his pressure points. There is a chap on my yard who is quiet but super knowledgable and he only uses a rope halter. I might ask him if he would mind taking a look at it once it’s on.

I have so many bloody head collars for when he’s impatient - the le mieux pro safe, the dually etc.. What a waste of money if I had the £9 solution to his (occasional) rudeness all along ??

I really enjoy working with him on the ground - and whatever option gives the quickest release if pressure is what I want. Thanks very much guys x

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

Seems crazy that they are marketed as the “go to” tool for ill mannered horses. But I guess as it was pointed out - it’s all down to the skill of the handler. But if the handier were that skilled - surely a rope halter would suffice?! I’m curious to see how Prince will behave in his rope halter when I try it tomorrow. Funnily enough it was the first item I ever bought him! I just felt too intimidated to use it as I wasn’t sure that all the knots were currently positioned over his pressure points. There is a chap on my yard who is quiet but super knowledgable and he only uses a rope halter. I might ask him if he would mind taking a look at it once it’s on.

I have so many bloody head collars for when he’s impatient - the le mieux pro safe, the dually etc.. What a waste of money if I had the £9 solution to his (occasional) rudeness all along ??

I really enjoy working with him on the ground - and whatever option gives the quickest release if pressure is what I want. Thanks very much guys x

That doesn't sound like what I mean by a traditional rope halter.


This is what I am thinking of:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/333625505129?hash=item4dada13569:g:kKMAAOSwzGhaps8k,

very simple, no more than 2 knots, either side of the nose

 

[Keira 8888]

That doesn't sound like what I mean by a traditional rope halter.


This is what I am thinking of:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/333625505129?hash=item4dada13569:g:kKMAAOSwzGhaps8k,

very simple, no more than 2 knots, either side of the nose

Aha!!! I have some completely different contraption sold to me at a country show - it has about 5 knots! Will send a pic! Will go and buy one like yours above - thank you did that ?? I thought it was bloody complicated when I first saw my one ??

 

[TPO]

I'm meaning this type just to confuse you further ?

I wouldn't use the type in PaS's post for groundwork (just my preference)

 

[Berpisc]

I would not use a rope headcollar in PAS's post to lunge with. They are very good basic headcollars and nothing wrong with them though as they are made with cotton rope they do not have a very nimble release of pressure.
I used to use a cavesson (headcollar with lots of rings on the nose) which some people hate, lots of people just lunge in a normal headcollar. Some people don't like this, the headcollar can slip round and be uncomfortable for the horse. Some horses need more control. I would also use the headcollar TPO has posted above IF the horse was comfortable with it. As it is finer rope it will have a keener effect on the horse. Some may need that, or some might find it too much and it would not be suitable for the horse.
I would go with what you and Prince feel most comfortable with, I don't have a dually, but try using the bottom ring and see how he goes with that? As you have said, the secret is in the release of the pressure, and the handler's ability to see that and get the timing right. One horse's response to pressure will be different to another's also.

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

I would not use a rope headcollar in PAS's post to lunge with. They are very good basic headcollars and nothing wrong with them though as they are made with cotton rope they do not have a very nimble release of pressure.
I used to use a cavesson (headcollar with lots of rings on the nose) which some people hate, lots of people just lunge in a normal headcollar. Some people don't like this, the headcollar can slip round and be uncomfortable for the horse. Some horses need more control. I would also use the headcollar TPO has posted above IF the horse was comfortable with it. As it is finer rope it will have a keener effect on the horse. Some may need that, or some might find it too much and it would not be suitable for the horse.
I would go with what you and Prince feel most comfortable with, I don't have a dually, but try using the bottom ring and see how he goes with that? As you have said, the secret is in the release of the pressure, and the handler's ability to see that and get the timing right. One horse's response to pressure will be different to another's also.

No, neither would I! I would use a lunge cavesson. But, for leading/other groundwork, the type of rope halter I linked to has very good release if you know how to use it - which really isn't difficult, you just have to be on the ball with your timing,

 

[Keira 8888]

Hi guys,

Thanks for all your advice.

I tried on his rope halter today but the dratted thing was too small. So popped his cavesson on and it worked brilliantly! Think I will use this instead of his bridle now while I work on my lunging technique. (Or lack of ?)

Thank you!

keira x

 

[marmalade76]

Unless I'm going to get on afterwards, I lunge in a regular headcollar, I just clip the line on the ring on the side. My horses are good to lunge, though.