Have any of you ever used a dually halter? What problem were you trying to solve with it? Did it work?
I’m just curious because somehow I had never heard of this until recently even though it’s apparently been around for years. I’m always suspicious of gadgets promoted by famous trainers (like the magical 12 ft. rope). So COTHers what do you think–is the dually halter a useful tool or just another gimmick?
I had never heard of a dually halter until this post. From a quick glance, it looks like a weird version of a combo or hybrid halter (example 1 and example 2). I’ve used those occasionally, or more accurately twice. Both times were with a young/green horse who wasn’t 100% with proper leading. They both had a tendency to lean into the flat band of a normal nylon or leather halter so the rope nosebands were to cut that out. The leather portion was preferred to a pure rope halter mainly due to looks and ease of use (you could just unlatch or latch it without having to tie a knot).
If you’re asking, I think you know the answer already.
There is no magic in a nylon halter, a leather halter, a halter with 2 nosebands, a rope halter, a chain shank. It’s how the operator uses them that makes the difference. The human trains the horse, the equipment not so much.
A trainer used one on a ex poly pony with a rearing habit. The rearing was the reason he was an ex polo pony. I’m sure trainer did other stuff besides just use the dually halter. The horse did become a more reliable ride, but rearing remained his go to evasion.
If I recall correctly, the horse would freak if you tried to use a chain so that’s why the dually halter was used. I think trainer used it on some rides as well as on the ground.
If a young or unmannered horse leans/pulls on a flat nylon halter, any halter with a thinner noseband can be helpful. Similar to a dog who pulls in a flat collar, a rolled collar or choke/slip collar can be used for training that out. However, in both situations the tactfulness of the trainer is just as important as the halter or collar being used. The halter/collar “helps” the trainer’s use of aids become more clear to the animal, but it isn’t a replacement for the correct aids. Hope that makes sense.
I’m a fan of rope halters and think they have their place in training a young or green horse. More than once I’ve wished for a rope nose with a traditional leather crown piece/breakaway, because I don’t like to tie a horse in a rope halter (no breakaway).
You can buy a similar thing without the Big Name attachment (and price tag) - look for hybrid halters. Like @Lusoluv said, the real key is who is controlling the halter and the effectiveness of their aids and training.
I use, almost exclusively, rope halters of various sizes and thicknesses. My favorites are these: https://www.statelinetack.com/item/mustang-easyon-rope-halter/E001368/
mainly because of the easy slip on latch. I replace the lead with a good cotton snap lead though, I hate nylon for tying. I do like the look of the hybrids from HEC (they used to come across my FB feed all the time), but haven’t felt the need to spend that much on a halter. Yet. But as far as being magic weapons, I don’t see it.
I’ve never actually used one, but just wanted to comment because I actually remember them first appearing in tack shops a looooong time ago. Like before I was seeing rope halters there with any regularity (how old AM I?) because I guess MR became popular just a little before… others.
At the time I remember wondering if it would stop my mare from pulling fence posts out of the ground (cringe… what I didn’t know then). Now I look at it and think it might be a nice bitless riding option (because the nylon part will actually give it more stability than just a rope halter with rings) or for one that needs “more” than the flat halter, but is too poll sensitive for rope there.
I belong to a few equine topic groups on Facebook. The dually halter seems to be quite common in places like the UK. I’d never heard of them until seeing them mentioned on these groups. Fairly sure I’ve never seen anyone using one here in the US, though I did see one on the sale rack at the consignment tack store recently.
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