Opinons on this halter/gadget...no pull

Enfys

Enfys

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Sierra Horse halter

http://pflus.com/Sierra-Horse-Halter

(photo taken from product site)

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Your thoughts?
 
My initial response is horrible!!! Another gadget to try and force the horse. If the horse hasn't learned to respond to a feel he cannot respond to this gadget....being completely unpc!! The South American/Mexicans need to learn a lot to come into the 21st century in horse handling....!!!
 
Yeah I can see why they would need it. Definitely better than tying the horse up without teaching it HOW to tie up...
 
Omg it looks awful!! Surely if a frightened horse is pulling back in panic the worse thing to do is strap something to its neck so it can't do that?!??
 
Well no, I disagree, if it keeps the horse calmer than it would be with a conventional halter then it's an improvement.

Most horses when they learn about halter pressure, dislike poll pressure and will fight against it, we use nose pressure all the time in this country with normal headcollars and poll pressure has to be introduced.

I just watched the whole video again and even though I still would prefer it of they taught the horse to tie, there are occasions when a horse will try to get away if scared and this design actually stops them from causing themselves harm. So, actually, it does a good job.
 
Perhaps in an emergency situation where there is no other option. But forcing a horse to comply by the application of this sort of device is no better than bearing reins or the old fashioned way of "breaking" a horse.

These are flight animals. To seek to prevent that instinct without addressing why the horse needs to flee will result in a shut down uncooperative frightened animal.

I'm not fan of Parelli etc - but I do believe in good sensible horsemanship. Horses need to learn that we are not a predator and we will not harm them. (Well most of us won't). You don't teach that by strapping bits of them down to they can't respond.

But - in an emergency situation where safety is threatened - yes I can see the point.
 
Whatever happened to working slowly through the issue in a calm and stress free manner?

I can see how this could be useful.in.certain situations, but for me personally, I would rather help a horse figure things out with time than force the issue. I don't want submission...I want partnership.
 
I wouldn't buy it at that price and have no need for one but it looks good in principle. I would agree with above poster about some South American/Mexican techniques but would also say that polo ponies made over there are usually happy to tie up on pony lines or to lorry for ages without fussing or pulling off and are very easy to handle in general whereas I have seen numerous 'English' horses who refuse to tie up without breaking the twine every 2 minutes which is a bloomin PITA.
 
I have a picture of something very similar in an old book somewhere in my attic. It is up there as the book is written in french and I could not read it.
 
Haven't watched but from the pic, It's a very old fashioned way of control which has been around for years by nagsmen/gypsies all over although this one's got clips, the usual way is just with one continuous rope and a bit thicker then this halter is. I've used the method myself, very useful for those young horses that need getting onto a lorry/trailer which haven't been handled much; they seem to respect it and relax in it. Nagsmen used it (mostly) to gain respect without force so you don't get a horse which has learnt to pit its weight and wits against you.
 
Maesfen said:
Haven't watched but from the pic, It's a very old fashioned way of control which has been around for years by nagsmen/gypsies all over although this one's got clips, the usual way is just with one continuous rope and a bit thicker then this halter is. I've used the method myself, very useful for those young horses that need getting onto a lorry/trailer which haven't been handled much; they seem to respect it and relax in it. Nagsmen used it (mostly) to gain respect without force so you don't get a horse which has learnt to pit its weight and wits against you.[/QU
OTE]

:)

I first saw a version of this about 25 years ago when I was working for someone who used to buy ponies from the drifts, he used it as a matter of course, when as you say, controlling unhandled ponies was vital. We never broke a single neck, or spirit. I still use it.

We probably used methods that had been passed down through generations and because they aren't pink, fluffy and don't involve sitting in a field for 3 days being patient we'd be condemned nowadays. I use them too, they work as well today as they did back then.
Click to expand...
 
Shay said:
Perhaps in an emergency situation where there is no other option. But forcing a horse to comply by the application of this sort of device is no better than bearing reins or the old fashioned way of "breaking" a horse.

These are flight animals. To seek to prevent that instinct without addressing why the horse needs to flee will result in a shut down uncooperative frightened animal.

I'm not fan of Parelli etc - but I do believe in good sensible horsemanship. Horses need to learn that we are not a predator and we will not harm them. (Well most of us won't). You don't teach that by strapping bits of them down to they can't respond.
But - in an emergency situation where safety is threatened - yes I can see the point.
Click to expand...

But they can respond. If they give in to the pressure (oh this sounds familiar) then everything loosens. The principle is absolutely no different from MR's dually - just on a different part of the body.

It is like the lead line on the floor thing. Let them figure it out for themselves - step on the rope, put your head down and move your foot, there you go. Life lesson # 10
 
Ah, so it's nothing new then! Great respect to those above who have the experience to know about this. Thank you!

What raised my suspicions was....

Alberto Sierra, a third generation professional Paso Fino Trainer and Breeder spent many years experimenting and perfecting his halter. He now has a patent pending and is releasing it to the public.

I am always suspicious of the latest gadget "invented" in the USA for training dogs or horses. That rather confirms my belief that there's nothing much new in training, only things that have been long forgotten and rediscovered.

Can they really patent something that has been around that long?
 
Exactly the same effect can be achieved by running a light rope through the bottom ring on a head collar, round/over the horse's neck and back through the ring. Both ends of the rope are held in the hand.

Maybe the guy's design is different, but the idea is nothing new.
 
Very interesting! This is enlightening indeed. Bridging of the reins is not far off this technique I guess...
 
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