Recommend a strong headcollar please!

Spyda

Spyda

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16.3 horse has suddenly discovered the joys of pulling back when tied. 3 broken items this week so far; x2 ropes and x1 headcollar. Will be using lunge line through the wall ring to retrain and then use the thick rubber tie I have, but since I'm now in the market for a new headcollar I want to invest in one that isn't going to snap or the metal parts break under anything but direst level of pressure. It will only be used whilst horse is being tied up and I'd rather the string broke before the headcollar did :mad:

Any suggestions of good ones to look at?

When I had a young TB stallion I had a really strong double thickness nylon headcollar with really thick brass rings and buckles, but cannot remember what make it was nor have seen similar for sale anywhere. One like that would be ideal.
 
I use a leather headcollar BUT then run the line through the ring on a Tether Collar before threading through the tie ring. This puts the pressure further down the neck and on the top of the nose, not on the poll. As the strain is on the front of the noseband there is a lot less risk of the headcollar breaking.
 
If you are using baler twine as your "string" you will be hard pressed to find a head collar that doesn't break before the string. Nowadays baler twine is made from nylon and is almost unbreakable. I believe there is a bungee type tie that you can get which simply keeps on stretching when under pressure, so the horse has nothing solid to pull against and break his headcollar/rope.
 
K M Elite are good strong headcollars. If I have one that pulls back, I attach 2 lead ropes of different lengths to two different bits of string. When they pull back on the first one and the string breaks and they think they've won, they're still connected by the longer one :-) Obviously only works on those that think it's a game and not the truly terrified as they just pull back twice :-(
 
You need thinner string not a better head collar.

I don't like the rubber type quick releases as mine broke before it released :mad: the equiping ones look better.
 
I wouldn't be putting my horse in a head collar that doesn't break under pressure tbh! Agree with FW, you want the tie to break not the lead rope/head collar.
 
Nope. Definitely don't want weaker string! Whole point is I don't want the horse breaking free. All this is doing is reinforcing that it can do this. This is not a youngster. It is not nervous. It's just being a PITA. It doesn't run off. It just stands there looking smug. Little *%@£ :mad:

It's just misbehaviour. I've got one of the strong tie bungies (and no, I don't think it will break. Trust me. It's industrial and made specifically for this job!) so I want the horse to be able to pull against it without the headcollar breaking before the horse gives up pulling against the 'give' and learns that it cannot break free by simply pulling back sharply.

jenni999 said:
K M Elite are good strong headcollars. If I have one that pulls back, I attach 2 lead ropes of different lengths to two different bits of string. When they pull back on the first one and the string breaks and they think they've won, they're still connected by the longer one :-) Obviously only works on those that think it's a game and not the truly terrified as they just pull back twice :-(
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Good idea! :)
 
I understand. You are obviously seeing this first hand and I guess he must not be panicking then? Just choosing to do it? Even so I think I would still go with the really weak string in the hope that the weaker pull would erase the novelty and let him do it as much as he likes until he gets fed up. Treating him and praising him to death every minute that he does stand tied. Can't bear the thought of a fence rail whacking him in the face at some point.....
 
BillieBlitzen said:
I understand. You are obviously seeing this first hand and I guess he must not be panicking then? Just choosing to do it? Even so I think I would still go with the really weak string in the hope that the weaker pull would erase the novelty and let him do it as much as he likes until he gets fed up. Treating him and praising him to death every minute that he does stand tied. Can't bear the thought of a fence rail whacking him in the face at some point.....
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Rest assured :) No chance of anything coming off and hitting anyone. The only tie ring I use is the one attached to the contrete wall on the inside of the horse's loose box, beside the Haybar :rolleyes: This is a homebred horse. Well trained to stand tied from very young. Never pulled back in its life. Now it's happening regularly. I suppose there could have been a genuine reason for the pull back the first time; then the string snapped and horse had a sudden light-bulb moment :(
 
As I read the OP, the horse has learnt to pull back and break the head collar/string/rope to escape.

I had some interesting correspondence with an American who broke bronchoes for a living. She referred me to this page. Haven't tried the method (no need as I've not encountered the problem) so just interested in the British perspective. So don't shoot the messenger!:D

I gather the Americans would never consider tying up with a piece of string either!

http://thinklikeahorse.org/index-6.html
 
It sounds to me as though he has learned that if he pulls back he gets free. So imo he needs to learn that pulling back doesn't mean he gets free!! I teach my horses to tie by wrapping the (12' or 20' if necessary) rope around a strong rail - if they pull back the rope exerts some pressure until they stop, when the pressure stops....so he learns to reward himself not to put pressure on the rope!! Incidentally this is a variation of the best way to teach a horse to lead....and that is a very good article....much of value in there!
 
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i never tie to the piece of baling string that seems to be a compulsory addition to every tie ring, i find it entangles the rope you tie to it meaning qiuck release i is impossible. my 5 yr old has always tied ok. but in the past when working with horses that dont tie i have used/seen used many differnent methods-from a swift broom up the arse as soon as they start to pull back, to allowing them to release themselves and then just stand there (?) to using stuff that wont break, i have seen minor incidents with all 3 but.
its a difficult one to solve, but i have seen horses panic when tied up and they cant release themselves and none of them have come to harm but all have learnt to tie-i dont agree with putting myself in a panicking horses space and feel its best to let them work stuff out and calm down, so if you are happy the area is safe and nothing will break i would suggest a natural horsemanship halter-the knots if fitted correctly create pressure points reducing the horses want to pull-i have found them great for this
 
My horse is exactly the same. He will break the string of the head collar for fun. He is not frightened and doesn't go any where once he has done it!
 
I remember seeing a pic on here of a young horse in Australia learning to stand tied.

It was wearing what looked like some sort of pessoa type thing. The idea being that any pressure pulling back is directly transferred to pressure to step forward by the device round it's bottom. Looked rather bondage like but I thought a good idea, certainly would save the horses poll.
 
I had a git of a pony who did this on purpose all the time and I had to replace two head collars and three ropes in the first week of owning him. I found using a long elastic hair band between the string and rope helped for a while as it didn't break when he expected it to. In the end though I had to resort to a rope cow halter which tightened as he pulled. I couldn't stand him by then (lots of other issues) so didn't care if he hurt himself.
 
Yes, it's bruising the poll area I'm worried about. Was wondering if maybe the first genuine pullback in panic resulted in some pain and soreness so that now whenever that area feels pressure the horse reacts violently. Maybe I should stop tying for a couple of weeks to give the area time to recover before adopting any preventative measures. It is out of character for this horse. *Scratches head*

I use these normally when I have this problem with youngsters (http://www.fieldguard.com/rubber_ties_rubber_leads.html) but still need a strong headcollar that wont break.
 
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Agree with you about giving a break from tieing outside, but does he do it when tied in a stable too?
When re-starting, I'd be trying std leadrope on 1 headcollar & pillar reins on another headcollar over the top, naughty stick and a good book when you return to tieing lessons....... totally understand your annoyance if this is horses latest hobby.

You'd need the std leadrope more loose than the pillar reins - they will take the brunt 1st - worked a treat for me on one enthusiastic soul a few years ago :)

Good luck :)
 
The Fuzzy Furry said:
Agree with you about giving a break from tieing outside, but does he do it when tied in a stable too?
When re-starting, I'd be trying std leadrope on 1 headcollar & pillar reins on another headcollar over the top, naughty stick and a good book when you return to tieing lessons....... totally understand your annoyance if this is horses latest hobby.

You'd need the std leadrope more loose than the pillar reins - they will take the brunt 1st - worked a treat for me on one enthusiastic soul a few years ago :)

Good luck :)
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The horse is only ever tied in the stable as we dont have space or tie rings around the yard. There's really no excuse for the pulling back and breaking equipment. Except to p*** me off, of course :rolleyes:

There's no where I could arrange to use the pillar rein system where I am ATM. But two headcollars might help.
 
I would be inclined to just put on a headcollar and rope but not tie him up for a few weeks, just put the rope over his neck or over your arm. Give him a chance to forget about his silliness and then try again.
As you say, it may still be a bit painful and he's reacting to the possibility of feeling that pain again.
 
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