What is the issue with Dually Halters?

The DVD is no longer supplied when you buy them.

i bought a new one last week and it came with a dvd

A friend bought one last week for her cheeky cob and the DVD came with it, direct from IH.

I used to use mine when the boy had been in for ages or was going back to the summer field after a long winter in the field. I'd far rather that than a chifney in inexperienced hands.
 
Just a thought... Why do we all rely on restraint rather than reminding horses of manners? I know it can be done but I seldom see it used.
 
Just a thought... Why do we all rely on restraint rather than reminding horses of manners? I know it can be done but I seldom see it used.

but the dually isnt restraint... that is exactly what it is for , reminding them of their manners using pressure and release.
 
Agree with Tallyho. And tbh, if I needed to use a dually or any other pressure system to remind a horse of its manners, I wouldn't consider it well mannered. I'd rather turn out a pair of highly strung, fit comp horses on a windy day, with good manners & just headcollars, than lead a laid back plod that needs reminding constantly via physical pressure.
 
Agree with Tallyho. And tbh, if I needed to use a dually or any other pressure system to remind a horse of its manners, I wouldn't consider it well mannered. I'd rather turn out a pair of highly strung, fit comp horses on a windy day, with good manners & just headcollars, than lead a laid back plod that needs reminding constantly via physical pressure.

Im not using mine as a restraint constantly, very occasionaly and usually when being led in from the field. Her manners are on the whole very good, but this is my first youngster, she is 3 in June, has had very little handling since she came to me at the end of October. I would far rather have her in the dually when walking her up the track on my own which is nearly 1/2 a mile from the stable when its starting to get dark and she gets a little jumpy/nervous as she is being bought in alone or asked to leave her field mate than end up having a fight or even loosing her all together.
 
Agree with Tallyho. And tbh, if I needed to use a dually or any other pressure system to remind a horse of its manners, I wouldn't consider it well mannered. I'd rather turn out a pair of highly strung, fit comp horses on a windy day, with good manners & just headcollars, than lead a laid back plod that needs reminding constantly via physical pressure.
This - in spades!
 
Agree with Tallyho. And tbh, if I needed to use a dually or any other pressure system to remind a horse of its manners, I wouldn't consider it well mannered. I'd rather turn out a pair of highly strung, fit comp horses on a windy day, with good manners & just headcollars, than lead a laid back plod that needs reminding constantly via physical pressure.

good for you

Im not using mine as a restraint constantly, very occasionaly and usually when being led in from the field. Her manners are on the whole very good, but this is my first youngster, she is 3 in June, has had very little handling since she came to me at the end of October. I would far rather have her in the dually when walking her up the track on my own which is nearly 1/2 a mile from the stable when its starting to get dark and she gets a little jumpy/nervous as she is being bought in alone or asked to leave her field mate than end up having a fight or even loosing her all together.

Exactly, you are being sensible and I see nothing wrong whatsoever in what you are doing. Good luck with your youngster:)
 
My comments weren't aimed at your horse specifically op, its just my general opinion. Impeccable manners don't appear overnight, but its just my opinion that impeccable manners should be the aim, rather than a way of physically preventing bad manners.
Not quite sure what is meant by that comment aceamara, but surely its common sense that a horse that behaves well by itself is a lot easier, pleasanter, & safer than one who does so because you are constantly reminding it?
 
My comments weren't aimed at your horse specifically op, its just my general opinion. Impeccable manners don't appear overnight, but its just my opinion that impeccable manners should be the aim, rather than a way of physically preventing bad manners.
Not quite sure what is meant by that comment aceamara, but surely its common sense that a horse that behaves well by itself is a lot easier, pleasanter, & safer than one who does so because you are constantly reminding it?

;) I didn't imagine they were Littlelegs, i agree manners don't appear overnight and this is my aim for her manners to be impeccable, she is improving every time i bring her in or turn her out, and im sure given time i won't feel the need for the dually.
 
Hello

I have used to dually a lot and various other control halters and none. I like it but what this thread has failed to point out (although very useful) is that although the dually halter is based on pressure and release the actual process of leading a horse anywhere is all down to us, our body language, eye contact and establishing trust, and boundaries not control. In the first instance it pays to look at how we are moving and acting or feeling around our horse before even thinking about what halter to use.

Leading anywhere can be established with an ordinary headcollar however the dually was designed to speed up the process and make the signals clearer for the horse to understand by using the use of pressure and very quick release from this pressure as a reward when it has done right it is the fact that it can be used very lightly (unlike other pressure halters) or in fact an ordinary halter that can be unclear in the signal it gives, this it what makes it so good to use. and where the misunderstandings come from.. is the attitude which it is used by not seeking clear communication with your horse that you both understand.
I hope that helps a bit to explain and you manage to get hold of a DVD. If not it would be well worth getting hold of someone for a session to help get the full benefits of it if you have one, as you can long line off them and ride. It is a very useful tool overall but dosen't and shouldn't have to be used long term as control when you have confidence with you and your horses communication skills are up to scratch and have learn't to give each other clear signals. Good luck x
 
Hear hear Potto - good advice :)

Another tip for leading when they don't want to go... quite often the horse will raise their head when stressed, teach them to lower their head just below wither level, then teach them to do it while walking - when their head is lowered they're more relaxed :)
Not sure if you know how to so apologies if you do, but... give little tugs on the headcollar underneath till they drop the head - even a cm, (or if they naturally pull the head upwards, release immediately they stop) praise lots, repeat until they get it and lower more quickly & definitely. You can also use hand pressure on the poll, though some don't like this very much so it's easier with a headcollar on :)
 
Hello

I have used to dually a lot and various other control halters and none. I like it but what this thread has failed to point out (although very useful) is that although the dually halter is based on pressure and release the actual process of leading a horse anywhere is all down to us, our body language, eye contact and establishing trust, and boundaries not control. In the first instance it pays to look at how we are moving and acting or feeling around our horse before even thinking about what halter to use.

Leading anywhere can be established with an ordinary headcollar however the dually was designed to speed up the process and make the signals clearer for the horse to understand by using the use of pressure and very quick release from this pressure as a reward when it has done right it is the fact that it can be used very lightly (unlike other pressure halters) or in fact an ordinary halter that can be unclear in the signal it gives, this it what makes it so good to use. and where the misunderstandings come from.. is the attitude which it is used by not seeking clear communication with your horse that you both understand.
I hope that helps a bit to explain and you manage to get hold of a DVD. If not it would be well worth getting hold of someone for a session to help get the full benefits of it if you have one, as you can long line off them and ride. It is a very useful tool overall but dosen't and shouldn't have to be used long term as control when you have confidence with you and your horses communication skills are up to scratch and have learn't to give each other clear signals. Good luck x


Thank you :) i am hoping to get a copy of the DVD soon which will be great, and was hoping to use it with her for longreining as well. I think we are beginning to understand each other every day.
 
Hear hear Potto - good advice :)

Another tip for leading when they don't want to go... quite often the horse will raise their head when stressed, teach them to lower their head just below wither level, then teach them to do it while walking - when their head is lowered they're more relaxed :)
Not sure if you know how to so apologies if you do, but... give little tugs on the headcollar underneath till they drop the head - even a cm, (or if they naturally pull the head upwards, release immediately they stop) praise lots, repeat until they get it and lower more quickly & definitely. You can also use hand pressure on the poll, though some don't like this very much so it's easier with a headcollar on :)

yes she does raise her head when stressed, does a very good impression of a giraffe, unfortunately when it goes right up im too short to reach her poll, but if i can she will drop if it put a little pressure on, i will try the gentle tug on the headcollar and see how we go. :)
 
Good advice from Redequus.

Try doing the head lowering trick and releasing the pressure when she is relaxed and not tense as well. It will be far easier for her to learn when she or you are not worried about anything. That way it will be easier to ask when you are in the 'giraffe' situation ;) Sounds like you are doing a good job so far, asking questions and thinking about what you are doing and developing great feel things will soon improve between you :)
 
Hello

I have used to dually a lot and various other control halters and none. I like it but what this thread has failed to point out (although very useful) is that although the dually halter is based on pressure and release the actual process of leading a horse anywhere is all down to us, our body language, eye contact and establishing trust, and boundaries not control. In the first instance it pays to look at how we are moving and acting or feeling around our horse before even thinking about what halter Good luck x

I think plenty of people have pointed this out, I don't think anyone has failed on that front :)

By the way OP, please don't think my posts are aimed at you, they are aimed in the general direction of users of duallys and I would just like to provide the other side of the story from the "normal headcollar" camp if you see what I mean. I'm just here to provide a counter-argument :)

Hey, if it works, carry on, but its healthy to have a debate and I can see that perhaps it may be a useful tool for some. For me, personally, I haven't needed anything more than a headcollar... Yet! :D
 
I think plenty of people have pointed this out, I don't think anyone has failed on that front :)

By the way OP, please don't think my posts are aimed at you, they are aimed in the general direction of users of duallys and I would just like to provide the other side of the story from the "normal headcollar" camp if you see what I mean. I'm just here to provide a counter-argument :)

Hey, if it works, carry on, but its healthy to have a debate and I can see that perhaps it may be a useful tool for some. For me, personally, I haven't needed anything more than a headcollar... Yet! :D

Tallyho - i didn't think that they were aimed at me :) I asked what the issue was with the dually and people have told me what they think of them for good or bad.

I have taken on board all the comments that have been made and i can appreciate that people dislike them as they see them being misused and therefore quite severe in the wrong hands. Im sure my girl would be good as gold now in just a standard leather headcollar, but for now its nice to have it to hand in an emergency as our relationship is still quite new and boundaries are still on occasion being put to the test. Im sure that with someone more experienced than me she would be a doddle in a standard headcollar, but with the dually it also gives me more confidence, even when its not in use, and for me having that extra confidence is important. :)
 
Hat and gloves for confidence, works for me and I bought a light weight 8 ft lead rope off eBay as was initially using a monty Roberts 10 ft one which great for schooling but too fiddly for just leading. Plus if I need to I can twirl the end of the rope at filly's shoulder to drive her forwards if needed! Do loads of halts and half halts to and from field, helps me keep on top of my filly's training when in this weather there's not time to do much, should stop with you when you do. Good tip about lowering the head, I taught this at 11 months when being tied up I'd do it, I just say 'head' and apply a downward pressure, a slight response and I release... They pick it up real quick!
 
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