Essential Tools for Horse Care: Halters and Headcollars
Halters and headcollars are everyday necessities in just about every stable. Their pivotal role in daily horse management makes their design and material crucial. Catering to a diverse array of needs, different styles are manufactured.
Varieties Suited to Specific Requirements
Specific variations are tailored to cater to the needs of the foal, the yearling, and the in-hand show horse, as well as the horse that tends to pull back. They are also designed differently based on their intended use, such as leading, tying up or even turning out.
Material choice: A Key Factor
Halters and headcollars can be made of several materials, including leather, nylon, hemp, or rope. Each material has unique qualities that may make it more suitable for certain tasks or types of horses.
Different Naming Conventions Across the Globe
Interestingly, the terminology used for these equipment pieces varies across countries. In many parts of the world, the term ‘headcollar’ is specifically used for variants made from leather or nylon, while ‘halter’ is used for those made of rope or hemp.
The American Terminology
Conversely, in the United States, these distinctions in terminology do not exist. Both the leather and nylon versions, as well as those made from hemp or rope, are referred to collectively as ‘halters’ irrespective of their material make up.
Leather: The Elegant Choice
Considered the most sophisticated material for making halters and headcollars is leather. It presents an undeniable appeal, making it a popular choice for show horses.
Nylon and Rope: Strong and Durable
While leather is the fashionable choice, rawhide leather aside, nylon and rope are often considered to be the strongest materials. They hold up well under stress, making them ideal for horses that consistently pull back or for general usage.
Newmarket Headcollar
The Newmarket headcollar, a staple in horse equipment, is one of the simplest leather headcollar designs. It has a distinct pattern that offers functionally, simplicity, and quality.
Design Explained: Functional Elements of the Newmarket Headcollar
At the core of this headcollar is a headpiece that features a buckle, located either at the nearside or on both sides of the face, right above two supportive metal rings. The throatlatch is conveniently attached to these rings, which in turn also uphold the cheekpieces and the nosepiece. However, adjustments aren’t possible in either the rolled throatlatch or the nosepiece.
Key Features: Headcollar Stop Squares
To add to its functionality, three headcollar stop squares are fitted into the nosepiece of the Newmarket design. The furthest back square is reserved for accommodating the headcollar shank, while the other two side stops are employed for pillar reins.
Availability and Customization Options
The Newmarket headcollar is available in various formats. You can opt to have your headcollar crafted with or without a front (browband). Most high-quality Newmarket pattern headcollars are adjustable on both sides, feature triple stitch rows, are lined, and come fitted with brass furniture for a touch of sophistication.
Variations of the Newmarket Headcollar
There exist, of course, variations to the classic Newmarket design that offer increased functionality. One such variant includes a feature that allows for vertical throatlatch adjustments. This design comes with ‘D-rings’ at the rear of the headpiece adjustment buckles, to which the throatlatch is hooked. Adjusting the length of the headpiece, in turn, lifts the throatlatch too.
Another popular variant is known as the French pattern. This unique design includes the addition of a D-ring at the nosepiece front, which is particularly handy for leading the horse from the nose.
Albert Headcollar
The Albert headcollar is another widely sought-after design in the world of horse equipment. Often confused with the previously mentioned Newmarket headcollar, it has some distinct differences that set it apart.
Key Differences between Albert and Newmarket Headcollars
One significant difference between the Albert and Newmarket headcollars is that the former’s throatlatch is adjustable. It is designed to be threaded through loops at the front and over the headpiece. Moreover, the Albert lacks metal rings on the cheekpieces, which is a notable characteristic in the Newmarket design.
Why Albert Headcollars are Less Likely to Break
An added benefit of using the Albert headcollar is its reduced risk of breaking compared to the Newmarket design. When a horse pulls back while wearing an Albert headcollar, the pressure is both dispersed to the poll of the horse and diminished due to the horse’s dislike of pressure at that point. Consequently, the horse tends to relax, and the distributed pressure leads to a decreased chance of breaking the headcollar.
Headcollar Bridle
The headcollar bridle is a versatile piece of horse equipment that combines the functionality of both a headcollar and bridle. It features designs derived from either the Newmarket or Albert headcollar patterns.
Adapting Headcollar Bridles for Bit Use
One of the distinguishing features of headcollar bridles is the adaptation of headcollar stop squares on both sides for bit use. These stop squares have adjustable buckle attachments that allow for the easy connection of bits, thereby enhancing the equipment’s overall utility.
Typical Usage and Features
Headcollar bridles are commonly used for showing horses in hand. As such, they should be made from the best quality materials and come with brass fittings for added durability and appeal. Fancy-stitching can also be included to further enhance the look of the headcollar bridle for show purposes.
Queen’s Headcollar
Drawing its design roots from the Albert Headcollar, Queen’s Headcollar brings some unique modifications to the table while retaining most of the Albert’s blueprint.
Design Enhancements: Adjustable and Path-Breaking
Differentiating it from the Albert pattern, the Queen’s headcollar features the throatlatch and front, attached to metal rings at the same location. Additional flexibility is introduced with the adjustability provided on both cheekpieces and the throatlatch.
Comparing Strength: Queen’s versus Albert
Despite its versatile adjustability, it’s important to note that the Queen’s headcollar, while robust, is not as strong as its Albert counterpart due to its design modifications.
The Salisbury: A Variant of the Queen’s Headcollar
Sharing similarities with the Queen’s design, the Salisbury headcollar takes the same structure but omits the frontal element. This leads to a slightly different design, marking another unique option within the vast family of headcollars.
Yearling Headcollar
Built to accommodate rapidly growing young horses, the yearling headcollar features a specialized design. It is a variant of the original Newmarket headcollar with some key alterations.
Unique Characteristics: No Front and More Adjustability
Different from the classic Newmarket, yearling headcollars are designed without a frontal piece. But one of the unique aspects of these headcollars is their adjustable nosepieces. This function allows for periodic adjustment to fit the growing head of a yearling, making it perfect for young horses.
Use in Yearlings: A Common Practice
Yearlings, young horses around one year of age, often spend a fair amount of their time turned out. Because of their need for a well-fitting headcollar during this essential growth period, yearling headcollars are a popular choice among horse owners and caretakers.
Dutch Slip
The Dutch Slip headcollar, often the headcollar of choice for foals, strikes a balance between adjustability and affordability.
Design Specifics: Adjustability and Unique Features
Distinct from other headcollars, Dutch slips come equipped with adjustable headpieces and cheekpieces. These go through a metal ring positioned under the foal’s chin, as does the adjustable nosepiece. The inclusion of short straps at each side ensures that these individual parts stay firmly together. A particularly innovative feature is an additional strap suspended from the metal ring, designed to aid in catching the foal.
Fit and Pricing: Affordable and Efficient
Despite their detailed construction, Dutch slips are often affordable, making them popular among many horse owners. Simultaneously, they fit well, ensuring comfort and suitability for the wears – the growing foals.
Nylon Headcollars
A popular choice among horse owners, nylon headcollars offer a variety of options and styles. They’re often based on familiar patterns, like the Newmarket, Albert, yearling, or Dutch slip headcollars. These durable and vibrant accessories are perfect for daily use.
Styles and Patterns
Nylon headcollars usually come without a front. The designs stem from other well-known headcollars, such as:
- Newmarket
- Albert
- Yearling
- Dutch Slip
These options cater to different preferences, ensuring a suitable choice for every horse owner.
Aesthetic Appeal and Vibrant Colours
One of the attractive features of nylon headcollars is their availability in an array of bright colours. This makes it easy to find one that suits both the owner’s and the horse’s personality.
Durability for Everyday Use
Nylon headcollars are recognized for their strength and resilience. They are designed for frequent use and are capable of withstanding daily wear and tear. This longevity and reliability have made them a preferred choice among many horse owners.
Headcollar Shanks
The headcollar shanks, also known as lead reins, are integral accessories for horse owners. These are typically 1.5m (5 ft) long and 20mm (4 in.) in diameter and can be made from a range of materials, namely leather, chain, and hemp or jute rope.
Leather Shanks: Durable with a Stylish Edge
Leather headcollar shanks often come equipped with a buckle loop and billet at the headcollar end. Alternatively, some may feature a short chain ending in a buckle or large spring hook. It’s important to take special care of spring hooks, as a sprained hook can unintentionally injure a horse’s nostril or lip.
Chain Shanks: Ideal for Stabled Horses
Chain shanks, commonly known as rack chains, are especially useful for stabled horses prone to chewing their shanks. If these rack chains are attached to the stable wall, they should be left hanging. Looping them back could pose a risk, as the horse may stumble over his feet.
Rope Shanks: Popular and Practical
Among the different types, rope shanks rank high in popularity. They are soft, easily tied, and friendly to the horse’s skin. However, keep in mind that they require frequent replacement. The softness that makes them comfortable also makes them vulnerable to chaffing and chewing. Despite the need for regular replacement, their ease of use maintains their popularity.
Pillar Reins
Pillar reins are specialized horse tacking tools used primarily within a stall setup. They are utilized in pairs to securely position the horse facing outwards in a stall during the tacking process.
Material and Dimensions of Pillar Reins
Usually made of either leather or chain, these reins measure around 0.8 m (2ft 6in.) in length. The choice between leather and chain allows for preference in material strength and appearance.
Attachment Mechanism of Pillar Reins
Pillar reins feature a distinct double-attachment mechanism, enabling secure connection on both ends. On one end, they come equipped with buckle attachments designed to fasten onto the ring of the stall posts.
On the horse side of the setup, spring hooks ensure firm, yet gentle, attachment onto the sides of the headcollar. The combination of these features makes pillar reins a reliable choice for safely gearing up a horse within a stall environment.
Basic Halter
A fundamental piece of horse gear, the basic halter is a simple yet practical tool for controlling and guiding a horse. However, it has some limitations in its design that may require extra care while handling horses.
Design Components
The basic halter comprises a web headpiece and nosepiece front, along with a rope shank that forms the nosepiece rear. These components come together to create a functional and straightforward horse halter.
Limitations and Considerations
There are a few factors to consider when using a basic halter due to its design limitations:
- Lack of a throatlatch: The absence of a throatlatch increases the risk of the halter coming off easily, which may require additional attention from the handler.
- Over-tightening on the nose: The rope shank has the potential to over-tighten on the horse’s nose, causing discomfort for the animal. Handlers should be mindful of this while fitting the halter.
Due to these limitations, users of the basic halter need to exercise caution and care when handling their horses to ensure both horse and handler safety.
Yorkshire Halter
The Yorkshire halter is a more advanced and secure type of horse halter compared to the basic version. It offers enhanced durability and functionality, making it an ideal choice for horses that tend to pull back.
Features of the Yorkshire Halter
The Yorkshire pattern comprises the following features, providing a comfortable and secure fit for horses:
- Ribbed hemp headpiece and nosepiece: These components provide a robust and high-quality material, ensuring strength and longevity.
- String throatlatch: The addition of a string throatlatch sets the Yorkshire halter apart from the basic model. This feature improves security and prevents easy removal.
- Fitted shank: A well-fitted shank enhances the stability and control offered by the Yorkshire pattern halter.
Benefits for Horses that Pull Back
Due to its strong construction and added throatlatch, the Yorkshire halter is particularly suited for horses prone to pulling back. This design ensures that the halter remains securely in place, allowing handlers to maintain control while minimizing the risk of injury for both the horse and the handler.
