WORRYING inconsistencies in the force under which headcollars and safety devices break have been found, as riders may have a false sense of security over the risk of injury to themselves and their horses.

As a follow-up to a study that found nearly a third of respondents had experienced horses’ suffering headcollar-related injuries, including 167 deaths, the same researchers took the issue further.

Having found a lack of research in the area, and standards or guidance for headcollar design and use, David Marlin, Jane Williams, Kirsty Pickles and Roberta Ferro de Godoy investigated how much force it took to break or open a range of collars and safety devices.

They found that although, as expected and in general, safety headcollars opened under less force than it took to break leather ones, which in turn was less than for synthetic collars, the inconsistency in the pressure under which the items broke or opened was “cause for concern”.

“Until now, there’s been no objective research on this,” Dr Marlin told H&H. “It’s all been just opinion on the safest practice. People think it’s safe if you’re using baler twine but I don’t like the idea of using it now.”

The researchers tested fine, medium and heavy-duty baler twine, and found that although the force needed to break it increased across the three as expected, there was too much inconsistency in the force needed for confidence that it would do its intended job.

“The range of opening forces and the variability in opening forces for standard headcollars, safety headcollars and safety devices is a cause for concern and may give horse owners/handlers a false sense of security of safety, and actually predispose horses and handlers to an increased risk of injury,” the researchers said in the study, published in the Journal of Sports Engineering and Technology.

Dr Williams told H&H: “Because you don’t know when it’s going to fail, you’re just hoping it’s fit for purpose. A lot of these things are marketed on safety, but manufacturers can make big claims without any research, and I think it’s really important the research is there.”

The team would like to see set standards for headcollars, so owners can make informed decisions.

Dr Marlin said: “It’s about owners having more information to understand that some types of headcollar, in some situations, can cause serious injury and death.”

He said he would recommend using a safety headcollar and a safety device, either between collar and rope or rope and tying point, adding that just a safety device in either point will not help if the headcollar itself is caught on something.

Dr Williams added: “I think sometimes we underestimate people’s desire to do the best by their horses, and if there was a range with more information about safety and when it would break, I think I’d be more likely to look there.”

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MORE education on the risks associated with headcollars, and standardised guidance on fitting and use, would help reduce injuries, a study has found.

The research, published in Equine Veterinary Education, involved an online survey of 5,615 riders and industry professionals, with the aim of exploring headcollar use and safety.

Jane Williams and David Marlin, who carried out the project with Kirsty Pickles, told H&H that although headcollars are so commonly used, there is very little information available on their use and the associated risk factors.

The study found 88% of respondents used headcollars more than once a day, mainly for short time periods. Nearly a third, 31%, of people reported that a horse had been injured as a result of wearing a headcollar, from cuts and bruises to fractures in 134 cases. Of these incidents, in 70% of cases the horse was tied up, 15% also involved a person, and there were 167 equine deaths reported.

Of the injuries sustained, 39% were the result of the headcollar becoming caught up, and the same number related to horses pulling back. Other causes included a horse’s foot becoming caught in the headcollar and horses rubbing.

“We’re trying to say to people: if you’ve got a horse who’s a bit reactive, it’s probably not a good idea to tie it up in the stable while you’re mucking out, as that was one of the highest risks of injury in our study,” Dr Marlin said. “Or if you do, make sure you use a decent safety headcollar or safety device – which may not be baler twine.”

The study found generally, headcollars behaved as expected; so leather ones broke and safety headcollars opened under pressure, while synthetic collars were more often involved with injuries. But, Dr Williams said, although the use of baler twine between lead rope and tie point did slightly decrease the rate of injury in synthetic headcollars, it was slightly increased when used with webbing or leather designs. The age and type of baler twine used also contributes to whether it breaks easily or not and, in some circumstances, such as a tied-up horse reaching down for grass and getting the headcollar caught on something, the twine would not help prevent an accident.

Dr Williams said: “We had a lot of open questions, wanting to know more about headcollar use, and it was surprising how little people knew about fitting them; there are no real guidelines on fitting, or on how often they should be replaced.”

Dr Williams added that good general advice is to use a safety headcollar and/or device, and consider each situation and each horse as an individual.

“People want to do their best for their horses, and sometimes there’s not the evidence to support them,” she said. “So we’re asking people to think, and maybe there will be some guidance produced to help others make informed decisions.”

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Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade to access our H&H Plus online service which brings you breaking news as it happens as well as other benefits.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Welcome to our group test of leather headcollars. All of the headcollars in this group test have been put through their paces by para dressage rider Tamsin Addison. Find out what she thought below

Official description

The John Whitaker Chicago perforated leather headcollar is ideal for everyday use. It is made from vegetable-tanned, eco-friendly leather that is quick-drying and moisture-wicking. It features a wide crown and noseband with perforated leather padding that allows for greater breathability, stainless steel fastenings and a decorative stitch. It is available in havana or black, in sizes pony, cob or full.

First impressions

It looked well made and I liked the perforated style — it wouldn’t be as smart without in my view.

Overview of performance

This headcollar fitted well and I liked the shaped headpiece and the perforations. It was easy to adjust, the horses seemed to be comfortable and it stayed looking new.

Tamsin’s likes and dislikes

Having clips on each side of the throatlash made it really easy to use when washing off heads and keeping control.

Verdict

I’d recommend this as it was stylish and functional.

Welcome to our group test of leather headcollars. All of the headcollars in this group test have been put through their paces by para dressage rider Tamsin Addison. Find out what she thought below

Official description

The Stübben leather headcollar is a top-quality halter made of extra-soft vachetta leather with webbed insert and brass fittings. It is very comfortable for the horse and easy to keep in good condition. It is avaulable in black, ebony, havana or tobacco in sizes cob or full.

In the UK? View now at randrcountry.co.uk

First impressions

This headcollar looked really high quality and really well made. The throat clip caused a split of opinions on the yard — some staff disliked it as it is fiddly to undo in an emergency, while others loved it as it only requires a push to close.

Overview of performance

This headcollar fitted well — it was full size, but plenty large enough for my horses’ with bigger heads. It was easy to adjust, with buckles on both sides of the headpiece, and it came up really nice when cleaned.

Tamsin’s likes and dislikes

The clip caused some differences of opinion, but overall it was a really well-made headcollar.

Verdict

A nice all-round, smart headcollar — if you like the clip.

In the UK? View now at randrcountry.co.uk

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Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports as well as other benefits.

Welcome to our group test of leather headcollars. All of the headcollars in this group test have been put through their paces by para dressage rider Tamsin Addison. Find out what she thought below

Official description

The beautiful and hand-crafted Albion patent leather padded headcollar has been made from the finest materials. It is fully adjustable and features a padded headpiece and half-rolled noseband. The fittings are brass and it features a brass plate for engraving, which can be provided by Albion. Available in black only in sizes cob, full or warmblood.

First impressions

I thought this one was very smart and I really liked the style — I couldn’t wait to use it and actually used it a few times before the pictures were taken. It was by far the most expensive headcollar I tested, but I thought it looked well made and robust.

Overview of performance

It fitted my horses well and was easy to adjust. However, the patent on the noseband quickly became scuffed — of course, cleaning does not resolve this — and so it looks old before its time.

Tamsin’s likes and dislikes

It’s beautiful, but not practical to use on a day-to-day basis if you want it to staying looking new.

Verdict

I would only recommend this for special occassions.

Welcome to our group test of leather headcollars. All of the headcollars in this group test have been put through their paces by para dressage rider Tamsin Addison. Find out what she thought below

Official description

The Döbert classic leather headcollar is made from exceptional leather that keeps its looks. It is padded and fully adjustable. It is available in black, brown or tan, with brass or steel metalwork, in sizes pony, cob, full or extra-full.

First impressions

I liked the style, but also thought it looked strong and durable.

Overview of performance

The headcollar fitted well from the start, but was better after use when the leather softened — I think it probably got more comfortable with time and conditioning, too. It could be adjusted on both sides, which was really handy, and it stayed looking new and smart.

Tamsin’s likes and dislikes

It stayed looking good and the double-sided adjustment was great.

Verdict

I would buy this again, although it is a more expensive option. 

Welcome to our group test of leather headcollars. All of the headcollars in this group test have been put through their paces by para dressage rider Tamsin Addison. Find out what she thought below

Official description

The Glaze & Gordon deluxe leather headcollar is hand-crafted from the best leather in the USA, with stunning craftsmanship, solid brass fittings and an adjustable noseband. It is available in brown or black, in sizes cob, full or extra-full.

First impressions

This headcollar was beautifully stitched and the simple design made it really easy to use.

Overview of performance

I had a full size, which was a little bit small for some of my horses, but they are all big warmbloods. The headcollar had an adjustable noseband, which was handy. It wasn’t padded or shaped, but I don’t think it was uncomfortable. It aged with use, but not too much and was still smart.

Tamsin’s likes and dislikes

I liked how easy it was to use and I would say it is good value for money.

Verdict

A simple leather headcollar that is good value for money.

Welcome to our group test of leather headcollars. All of the headcollars in this group test have been put through their paces by para dressage rider Tamsin Addison. Find out what she thought below

Official description

The Shires Blenheim leather travel headcollar features generous padding on the headpiece and noseband making it particularly suitable when travelling. It is adjustable on both sides of the headpiece with a crank-style noseband and clip-on throatlash. Quality brass fittings finish the look. It is available in havana or black in sizes pony, cob, full or extra-full.

First impressions

This headcollar looked smart and I liked padded noseband and headpiece, but I did find that the horses sweated more in this one.

Overview of performance

This headcollar fitted well and was easy for day-to-day use. It was easy to adjust at the headpiece and noseband. This one didn’t stay looking new for as long as some of the others tested.

Tamsin’s likes and dislikes

I found the trigger throat clip useful for some horses as it was quick and easy to release. I wouldn’t use this in hot weather as they horses tended to sweat under the padding.

Verdict

A value leather headcollar, good for day-to-day use.

Do you have a strong or bolshy horse that misbehaves when you lead him in from the field? Or do you need a bit of extra help while loading or long-reining a nappy or nervous type? The Dually training halter, designed by Monty Roberts, can be used in a number of different situations from leading, loading and long-reining

What is the Dually halter?

The Dually headcollar is a patented training halter, designed by Monty Roberts, which effectively rewards horses for acting in partnership with its handler.

It’s very versatile as it can be used as a standard or training halter. It’s fully adjustable and comes with an instructed video and booklet to explain its fitting and use. The Dually is used as a schooling aid (as an alternative to a bridle, a chifney, a lunge cavesson, a flat halter, rope halter with knots or a halter with a chain over the nose). The halters are colour coded and red is the smallest size.

How does the Dually halter works?

It works on the basis of pressure and release and works more effectively than simply wrapping the lead rope around the horse’s nose, as it will release pressure very quickly allowing the handler to be more precise with their training signals.

“The ring on the sliding noseband is positioned high on the nose, not low, so it doesn’t put pressure on the very sensitive parts of the horse’s head,” says Kelly Marks, of Intelligent Horsemanship, the UK’s only supplier of the Dually halter.

“The pressure is only applied when the horse backs away from you or moves out of the ‘comfort zone’ (this being within a respectable distance from you). As soon as they move back, away, or stop, the pressure is immediately applied and their instinctive reaction is to move out of the pressure zone and back towards you. When they do this they are instantly rewarded as the pressure releases straight away.”

What impact does it has on the horse?

“The reason you’re using the Dually is because it won’t damage or desensitise your horse’s mouth,” says Kelly. “It doesn’t dig in anywhere or work on very sensitive areas of the horse’s face — it doesn’t use excessive poll pressure and fitted correctly it won’t slip around the horse’s face, so you gain more accuracy and control of the horse with less compression than most other options.”

How is the Dually halter fitted?

“If you don’t take the time to fit the Dually correctly, then it won’t work the way it’s intended to,” says Kelly. “Fitted correctly is the key phrase here. It’s best to take a little extra time getting the fit exactly right if you really want the Dually to give you good results with your horse.

“It might take a little while to get used to it needing to go a little higher than you would fit a standard headcollar. This is because the Dually halter is not intended to work on the soft part of the nose.”

1. “The upper noseband part should nearly reach the bottom of the horse’s cheekbone to be in the correct position,” says Kelly. “When fitting it this high, it’s sometimes necessary to undo not only the band across the nose, but also the band underneath the chin. Fit the Dually high enough by adjusting the headpiece and then do the two lower bands up to secure the Dually firmly, but not tightly, on the horse’s face.”

2. “A rough guide would be to ensure you can place two fingers in any section of the Dually and the horse can relax his jaw. You still need to make sure the Dually won’t slip around on the horse’s eye if pressure is applied on the line from any angle.”

3. “If you’re worried your horse or pony is very sensitive you may wish to purchase a natural sheepskin guard to go over the acting part of the noseband. This is generally not necessary but horses that are long lined off the Dually with strong changes of direction could conceivably get rubbed and so this could be an option,” says Kelly.

Things to remember….

1. Never tie a horse up using the schooling ring of the Dually halter. “This is because if the horse pulls back the schooling ring will continue to tighten across his face and could potentially damage it,” says Kelly.

2. Horses should never be loose in a stable or field with a Dually in case they get caught up in anything. “If you wish to travel your horse in a Dually as many people do, just ensure you tie up to the correct (non schooling) ring and that there’s nothing in the horsebox that the other rings could get caught up in,” explains Kelly.

3. “If your horse is going to eat hay on his journey, it’s advisable to loosen the Dually off under the chin a few holes so he can move his jaw comfortably,” adds Kelly.

Dually halter: the verdict

Showing producer Simon Charlesworth credits the Dually to fulfilling his dream of taking his first supreme title at Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) with Pearly King.

The top class large hack, known as Elvis at home, had initial problems with noise and standing still. After a day with Monty Roberts and the acquaintance of the Dually halter, Elvis went on to achieve numerous successes in the show ring.

“I used the Dually to teach him to stand still and deal with noise while standing,” says Simon. “Without it and the time spent with Monty, I don’t think he would have ever gone on to win what he did — standing still was his Achilles heel.

“I now use the Dually for backing the breakers and long reining. I also use them before I attach the reins to the bit as I think it’s a smoother transition and I usually end up with less tongue evasions, as you’re not having the initial battle when you first do it with the mouth.

“We use them to teach everything to load and even for the farrier. I wouldn’t be without them,” adds Simon.

When Barbara Gadd started experiencing leading problems with her youngster Grace she put the Dually halter to the test. “Gracie is the apple of my eye, but I won’t lie, even in the early days leading her was a challenge,” says Barbara. “Despite all attempts to not over handle her, she became rather boisterous and viewed her handler as another horse to play with.”

Barbara said she’d heard good things about the Dually and asked Kelly if she could give one a try. Kelly sent Sandra Williams, correspondence coordinator for Intelligent Horsemanship, to help Barbara fit and use the Dually correctly.

“Sandra showed me how to fit it quite snugly to ensure it doesn’t get pulled out of position. I liked the wide webbing straps, which won’t dig in like a thinner halter can. Only when the halter was well fitted was the lead rope attached,” says Barbara.

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“A long line was recommended and Sandra suggested I borrowed hers, as the lighter weight clip wouldn’t knock against the horse’s face.

“The Dually does put pressure on the nose but easily releases when the horse comes off the pressure. Sandra watched me lead Grace to assess what our main problem was. Rather than being assertive with Grace, because I was anticipating naughtiness, I was a little too domineering with her and it ended up in confrontation. With some fine tuning, and more positive body language, I was asking Grace to stand in her own space, back up, and walk forward nicely in a pretty short space of time.

“Sandra explained it was all about tiny steps, and with a youngster you need to do this work for a few minutes daily. It’s a good idea to practise in a familiar place first and then move somewhere different, then back to your place of safety to end on a good note.”

Now you know how to work a Dually halter, why not sign up to Horse & Hound’s eight-week e-training plan to give your training focus and perfect your flatwork basics

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now