Halters / Leashes: handling safely

Nylon, leather or rope headcollar: three materials, three uses

The nylon headcollar, like the Horka Drew, the Harry's Horse Soft or the HV Polo Nena, is sturdy, easy to wash and comes in all colours. The leather headcollar, like the Harry's Horse Supreme, has a safety advantage: it breaks if the horse gets caught or panics, whereas the nylon holds firm. The rope headcollar, like the LeMieux Rope Control, which is finer, applies precise pressure on the nose and the nape, ideal for groundwork and training.

The presentation leather headcollar from Star, being finer and more elegant, is used for model and gait competitions, and the small headcollar HKM Kids Maui fits the heads of Shetland ponies. The extra-strong headcollar from QHP is suitable for horses that pull.

The lead rope, made of cotton or synthetic fibres, is usually around two metres long and ends with a snap hook. The classic spring-loaded snap hook is great for everyday use; the panic snap hook opens with a simple motion even under tension, allowing you to release a pulling horse. Matching headcollar and lead rope sets, like those from Premiere, Horka Angel or Harry's Horse Love, make it easier to equip a new horse.

You should always tie with a quick releasing knot that comes undone with a quick pull, using a breakable string rather than a fixed point, and at withers height, keeping the lead rope short enough so that the horse can't put a foreleg over it.

Lunge work: lunge line and cavesson

Lunging a horse means working it in a circle around you, using a lunge line that is much longer than a tying lead, often between seven to ten metres, made of cotton or flat webbing that won’t burn your hands. Hold it in flat loops, never coiled around your hand, so you can drop it in case of a sudden take-off.

The cavesson, a reinforced headpiece with a noseband that has one or three rings, allows you to attach the lunge line without acting on the horse's mouth, usually at the central ring. It should be tight enough so it doesn’t slip towards the outside eye, and you should work with both hands to build the horse's muscles symmetrically.

Horse equipment

The horse's equipment is completed with blankets, pads and risers, saddles and girths, bits and bridles, protection gear, on the horse page. Headcollars for Shetlands, like the HKM Kids Maui, fit the smallest ponies.

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FAQs

Can you leave a headcollar on a horse in the field?

A nylon headcollar should never be left on a horse in the field without supervision: it can get caught on a fence or branch without breaking. If a headcollar is necessary, opt for a leather model or one with a safety attachment that breaks under pressure.

How do I know if a headcollar is properly adjusted?

Headcollars come in sizes for Shetland, pony, cob, and full depending on the size of the head. When correctly adjusted, it should allow two fingers under the noseband, sit halfway between the eye and the nostril, and not rub under the cheekbones.

How do I clean a headcollar and a lead rope?

Nylon and cotton can go in the washing machine at thirty degrees, in a bag to protect the loops and snap hook. Leather should be cleaned with glycerine soap and then conditioned with balm, to keep it supple and prevent cracking.

How do I get a foal used to wearing a headcollar?

First, get them used to having hands on their head, then put the headcollar on for a few minutes each day, always under supervision and rewarding them. A lightweight and well-fitted model, removed after each session, helps prevent them from associating the headcollar with discomfort.

How many headcollars should I have for each horse?

One everyday headcollar is sufficient, but a second one, stored in the trailer or tack room, can be handy in case of breakage. Competition riders often add a presentation headcollar or one in the stable colours for transport.