Using a dog choke chain on a headcollar for control

[mattilda]

Some one posted on here about using a choke chain on the noseband of a headcollar to give extra control. As my 16.3 substantial wb bogged off before I could take his headcollar off this morning ( he tends to this in the summer for some reason) I have decided enough is enough. Last year when I had this problem I considered a chifney (it's still not out of the question) but thought I would give the choke chain idea a go first.
I have the choke chain but how do you attach it? Sorry am being a bit thick.

 

[CBAnglo]

Theresa_F used this on her big WB mare - not sure how she attached it but you could ask her?

 

[mattilda]

Thanks will ask her.

 

[ihatework]

The horse ones come with a clip, but I'm sur a bit of baler twine would work just as well!

The chain should run through ring under jaw (attach leadrope to end), through ring on one nose part, over nose, through ring on other nose, and then attach to the cheek ring

 

[hellspells]

I do - its basically the same as a stallion chain (but cheaper

)

I use a chain lead though rather than a choke as it already has a clip on it.

 

[kellyeaton]

try a dually head collar or chiffney bit or a controller head collar!

 

[mattilda]

Don't really want to jump straight to a chifney as they can be so dangerous in the wrong hands and I have never used one before. My problem is that he buggers off as I am opening the gate and I have no chance of hanging on to him. With a chifney I am concerned he will damage his jaw. I have noone around to open gates or help out as I am on my own yard.
Just trying less aggressive alternatives first.
I have tried a BeNice halter which had no effect whatsoever!!
Man I so love my horse.

 

[ladyt25]

I use an eskadron chain headcollar on mine whihc is basically a headcollar with 'choke chain' built in.

This basically

http://www.eskadron.org.uk/index.php?ite...cture_id=6&

 

[CrazyMare]

Either use a chain, or else the Dually halter is very good - I lead my OH's horse in one - he doesn't put a foot out of line with it on, but will try and walk all over me without it. At 17.1h ish he is too big to do that.

 

[Theresa_F]

For me, it has been a great and cheap aid - I never use it over the nose, always under the jaw.

Simply thread it through the sides of the head collar via the side rings, then under the jaw and then attach the two ends to a long lead rope - an old set of draw reins are also excellent - plenty of length but not as unwieldly as a lunge rein.

Basically it looks like an upside down triangle. It should go tight when pulled but give when pressure is off.

You may have to give a good hard tug to get the message through. I give them a gentle pull first, and then a hard one. With a puller, I stick my heels in and really give them a pull back with my weight planted - you can also shake it if they start to drag and again this often stops them as they know life is really uncomfortable if they continue to go in front.

I have used this on many horses with very good results - I have as much control with the chain as I would with a bit and I find it makes them less stressed than a bit - my WB would have fought all the way on a bridle or a rope over her nose, ditto one of the TBs, but the chain gave control and respect. With youngsters you have control but not on soft mouths.

With my cob who on occasion does not like to get on the trailer to come home, the fact that his chain is on, gets him straight onboard. Without it he takes the pee on occasion.

I keep one by my stables just in case the weather is very bad, or they are very fresh - mine are normally very good to lead, but if the chain is on (1) makes them think twice about playing up - they don't if it is on and (2) I have the control ready should they decide to play drag me. You can also pop it in your pocket ready if you need it.

 

[emma69]

Have you tried just the lead rope wrapped around the nose?

 

[Enfys]

I tried a dually and actually was completely unimpressed with it, the horse in question was a 'tanker' head down and away he went. Pressure over the nose was totally ineffective in his case, and he knew he had you.

There are several ways you can use a chain.

Some rings are too large to put through headcollar rings, put the choke chain ring in a vice and squish it a bit (or bash it with a hammer) so that it is more of an oval shape, it will fit then.

Either:

a) attached to the cheek ring on the off side (use a clip or tie it on) then through the noseband ring, over the nose (you can loop it around the noseband if you like, less severe) and through the near side noseband ring and onto a lead rope. I have found that this method can pull the halter over the eyes. I don't use it.

b) through off side nose band ring, over the nose and through nearside ring then attach BOTH rings to the lead rope under the chin. You have a loop then, it doesn't come into action unless the horse pulls. better over the nose for a horse that rears or puts his head UP.

c) as above but put the chain UNDER the chin. This works best for horses that put their heads DOWN and plows off with you or snatches grass.

I have a couple of horses that never go anywhere without a chain over their noses, butter wouldn't melt in their mouths and I never need to even use it. No chain and they are sods. They know!

 

[mattilda]

Right guys huge thanks for all your suggestions. As mine is a "right I'm off whether you are ready or not" type of a guy I'm going to use the under the chin method. Hopefully the big lump will learn some respect for me!!

 

[Laafet]

My boy acts like butter wouldn't melt with his chain on and it is the only way to trot him up in hand without a bit, I have to use it over the nose as he can go up if he gets annoyed. Most of the time I don't use it but it is handy to have.