- Frequently asked questions
- Which headcollar suits my horse?
- How should the headcollar fit correctly?
- Which headcollar for which purpose?
Headcollars
- Frequently asked questions
- Which headcollar suits my horse?
- How should the headcollar fit correctly?
- Which headcollar for which purpose?
Which headcollar suits my horse?
Headcollars come in a variety of styles, colours, designs and sizes, meaning that there is not only something for every taste, but also a wider choice of headcollars for every horse.
The most important factor when buying a headcollar is the size. The headcollar should fit the horse perfectly, to prevent it from constricting the horse, causing chafing or the horse getting caught somewhere or even losing the headcollar if it is too big. Therefore, the headcollar should not be too tight, but also not too wide.
Headcollars made of synthetic materials, such as nylon, have a very good price-performance ratio and are also very durable. They are therefore suitable for turnout and for horses kept in groups whose friends like to play and nibble at the headcollars.
Leather headcollars are just as sturdy and durable as nylon headcollars, but they require more care and are more expensive to buy. These are then recommended more for travelling and shows and less for turnout.
In addition, the horse's skin sensitivity plays an important role when buying a headcollar. If your horse is particularly sensitive, a soft padded headcollar with teddy fleece is more suitable than a pure nylon headcollar.
Does your horse regularly lose its headcollar in the field and you have to go looking for it? Also, if your horse regularly gets caught somewhere with the headcollar, a safety headcollar may be an option.
If you work with your horse a lot from the ground, a training headcollar is a good option for your horse. The best-known headcollar for training is a rope halter. In our shop you will also find lungeing headcollars, which are a combination of a headcollar, bitless bridle and cavesson.
In our shop you can also choose lead ropes to match each headcollar, which are available either with snap hooks or panic snaps. You can also choose from a variety of colours, materials and lengths.
How should the headcollar fit correctly?
A headcollar fits correctly when it does not constrict the horse and cause chafing, but is also not too loose that the horse can easily slip out of it. When choosing the length of the headcollar, make sure that the noseband is at least a finger's width below the cheekbone. At the same time, it must not slip over the nostrils or lie on the exposed nose bone. The correct width of the headcollar is given when two to three fingers fit between the noseband and the bridge of the nose, as is the case with bridles. There should also be this much space at the throatlatch. As soon as you put the headcollar on, you should notice whether the headcollar is too tight or too wide.
Keep in mind that a headcollar for turnout is better a little too tight than too loose. If the headcollar is too loose, the horse may get caught on something or slip it off while playing with its companions.
To help you find the right size for your horse, our online shop not only offers a wide range of different colours and designs with varied details, for example headcollars with teddy fleece or headcollars with soft terry cloth lining. You can also choose between different sizes: from Shetland Pony (SH), Pony (P), Cob (C) to Full (F) and Extra Full (XF).
Which headcollar for which purpose?
- Standard headcollars are sturdy headcollars made of nylon or leather that are used in everyday stable activities (leading, tying up, turnout, transport). Thanks to buckles, it can be individually adjusted to the horse's head size.
- Safety headcollars, also called field safe headcollars, are used for turnout. Especially suitable for horses that often get caught on the headcollar or regularly slip out of it. Other types of safety headcollar are headcollars with reflective stripes, which ensure better visibility and thus greater safety at dusk and dawn.
- Training headcollars, as their name suggests, are used for training on the ground. Probably the best known is the rope halter, which is knotted into shape from a sturdy rope. Furthermore, there are lungeing headcollars, which are a combination of headcollar, bitless bridles and cavessons and can also be used for ground work.