It’s not ideal to turn your horse out in the field with his headcollar on, but sometimes it’s unavoidable – and this is where the best field-safe headcollars become incredibly handy. Whether your horse is tricky to catch or needs to wear a headcollar to attach one of the best grazing muzzles or fly fringes, a field-safe headcollar is – as the name suggests – a safer option than a standard nylon headcollar or rope halter.
I’ve put together a selection of field-safe headcollars with either Velcro or leather breaking points in all sizes, so that you can find something to suit your needs.
Best field-safe headcollars for horses
Equilibrium Stellar All Weather Headcollar
Colours: Black, brown or navy
Sizes: XS–XL
Reasons to buy:
- Smart
- Easy to clean material
- Replaceable safety strap
Reasons to avoid:
- You prefer real leather
This weatherproof headcollar is smart enough for daily use, on competition days or for turnout. It has been scientifically tested to ensure it breaks at with appropriate load. It’s made from PVC with stainless steel fittings and has neoprene padding on the headpiece and nosepiece for comfort.
The reusable and replaceable safety release system is tailored to your horse’s size and weight, ensuring customised safety. Equilibrium recommends that the safety strap is replaced after 10 pulls (or if the Velcro is not adhering well) to ensure efficiency of the strap.
I use this smart headcollar on my Irish Draughtand during the summer I attach his grazing muzzle to it. I find that it offers a good fit and I’ve not experienced any rubbing. I like the wipe-clean material as it avoids dirt and loose hair getting stuck and doesn’t soak up water when bathing. The safety release is easy to reset. If your budget allows, you won’t be disappointed with this headcollar.
Rhinegold Field Safe Headcollar
Colours: Black, raspberry, tangerine or turquoise
Sizes: Foal, Shetland, pony, cob, full or extra-full
Reasons to buy:
- Great value
- Wide size range
- Large colour selection
Reasons to avoid:
- Designed for turnout use only
A popular, budget-friendly option that’s available in a good range of sizes, this nylon headcollar has touch-tape releases on the headpiece and noseband. It is without buckles, reducing the risk of it catching or getting hooked. Designed for turnout use only.
Hy Field Safe Headcollar
Colours: Black, navy, green, purple or red
Sizes: Foal/small pony, pony, cob or full
Reasons to buy:
- Easily change between standard and safety headcollar
- Padded areas for comfort
Reasons to avoid:
- Other materials easier to clean
This headcollar allows you to easily change between normal and field use with a choice of two straps below the buckle – one standard and one with a touch-tape breaking point. It also has an adjustable padded nose with touch-tape breakpoint.
LeMieux Break Away Headcollar
Colours: Black
Sizes: Pony, cob or full
Reasons to buy:
- Replacement leather strap available separately
- Adjustment of both sides of headpiece
Reasons to avoid:
- Doesn’t cater for largest and smallest breeds
This safety headcollar is made from string nylon with a leather headpiece that will break under heavy load. The leather headpiece is replaceable, which means you don’t have to fork out for a whole new headcollar if it breaks.
Horseware Field Safe Headcollar
Colours: Navy or blue haze
Sizes: Pony, cob or horse
Reasons to buy:
- Plenty of adjustment for the right fit
- Reflective binding for added visibility
Reasons to avoid:
- Doesn’t cater for largest and smallest breeds
This durable headcollar features a Velcro breakaway strap under the headpiece buckle, and has adjustment around the headpiece and chin for easy adjustment for the perfect fit. It also has reflective webbing to help find your horse in the dark, and is finished with a reversible metal tag that can be personalised.
Equilibrium Stellar Style Headcollar
Colours: Navy, black, purple, green, red or pink
Sizes: XS–XL
Reasons to buy:
- Good range of colour options
- Scientifically tested
- Easy to adjust and use
Reasons to avoid:
- Not wipe clean
Made from high-quality nylon with strong metal fittings. this safety headcollar Features soft fleece padding and a tailored safety release system that’s engineered to activate at just the right pressure, based on your horse’s size and weight.
One of the standout features is the replaceable safety strap, which can be easily swapped out after up to ten activations – eliminating the need to replace the entire headcollar and ensuring ongoing protection.
Thinline Breakaway Field Safe Headcollar
Colours: Black
Sizes: Mini, small pony, large pony, cob, horse or oversized
Reasons to buy:
- If you have a Flexible Filly grazing muzzle
- Replaceable safety strap
Reasons to avoid:
- Expensive, but perfect if you have a Thinline muzzle
Something a little bit different; a quality headcollar with a leather breakaway headpiece designed to be used with the Flexible Filly grazing muzzle. It features strategically placed “keepers” on the noseband that make it easy to attach and secure the muzzle.
What is the best field safe headcollar?
The best field-safe headcollars are designed to break in an emergency – for example, if the headcollar hooked on the fence and your horse became stuck, there is an intentional weak point (usually Velcro/touch-tape) where the headcollar will break away. Some go a step further and have no metal hardware in the design at all, which is also handy if your horse is sensitive to metals or zinc.
Previously, leather headcollars were often used for turnout as they’re more likely to break than nylon, however, many like to save leather for their travel kit or best – and if your horse is wearing it for turnout all year round, it won’t look its best for long.
Your other option – if you don’t want to purchase a new headcollar – is to buy a field-safe converter strap or breakaway attachment, which will provide an existing headcollar with a new breakpoint.
Shires Headcollar Breakaway Attachment | Viovet
For less than £2, this easy to fit attachment creates a weak point in your headcollar that will break in a moment of panic.
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You might also like:
Grazing muzzles – what are your options?
Discover the ideal fly mask to keep your horse comfortable all summer long
9 of the best leather headcollars for travelling, competing and everyday wear
8 rope halters that give more precise aids for training
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