Field Safe Headcollars And How They Help Prevent Injuries To Your Horse
|
|
Time to read 7 min
Table of contents
What Is A Field Safe Headcollar or Breakaway Headcollar How Field Safe Headcollars Work Why Are Field Safe Headcollars Important for Injury Prevention The Problem with Traditional Headcollars Over Field Safe Headcollars David Marlin Commissioned By Equilibrium To Survey On Field Safe Headcollars And How They Help Prevent Injuries To Your Horse Equilibrium Field Safe Headcollars Steps to Keep Your Safe When Using A Headcollar Summary Of The Benefits Of Field Safe Headcollars Frequently Asked Questions About Field Safe Headcollars You Might Also Like This Article About Field Safe Headcollars
What Is A Field Safe Headcollar or Breakaway Headcollar
Field safe headcollars are specially designed safety headcollars that help prevent serious injuries to horses through the use of controlled breakaway mechanisms.
field safe headcollars are an innovative pieces of equipment address a significant safety concern in horse management - the risk of horses getting their headcollars caught on objects and sustaining injuries while trying to escape.
Field safe headcollars achieve this by breaking at a pressure lower than that which injury can occur. Some none field safe headcollars can be strong enough to hold the weight of your horse or pony.
How Field Safe Headcollars Work
Field safe headcollars use safety Velcro straps or release mechanisms that break away in emergency situations. The most common design features include:
- Breakaway Straps On Field Safe Headcollars : Most field safe headcollars incorporate special safety straps designed to release under specific pressure levels. Some models use an 80kg release strap that remains attached to the buckle after release, allowing for potential reuse.
- Controlled Release Points : Unlike traditional headcollars that may not break until hundreds of kilograms of force are applied, field safe models are engineered to release at safer pressure levels, typically around 80-100kg of force.
Why Are Field Safe Headcollars Important for Injury Prevention
Any horse wearing a headcollar while unattended in a field or stable can potentially get into trouble with the headcollar becoming caught. Common scenarios include horses getting caught on:
- Fence posts or rails
- Gates and latches
- Hay feeders or water troughs
- Tree branches
- Other horses' legs or equipment
Research shows that 21.3% of equestrian injuries are associated with scenarios involving headcollar use, highlighting the importance of safety considerations in headcollar design.
With headcollars being such a regularly used item it is easy to overlook the risk of injury when not using a field safe headcollars. However we can see this risk is actually higher when not using a field safe headcollars to we we do
The Problem with Traditional Headcollars Over Field Safe Headcollars
Standard webbing and nylon headcollars can require over 600kg of force before breaking, while Field Safe Headcollars and leather headcollars break at around 210kg. When a horse panics and pulls against a caught headcollar, the extreme forces generated can cause:
- Severe neck injuries
- Facial lacerations and trauma
- Panic-induced injuries from struggling
- In worst cases, fatal injuries
With 88% of horse owners using headcollars daily, field safe headcollars represent an important advancement in equine safety equipment. Just as riders use protective gear like helmets and body protectors, horses deserve the same consideration for their safety equipment. While they may cost more than traditional headcollars, the potential to prevent serious injury makes field safe headcollars a worthwhile investment for responsible horse ownership
David Marlin Commissioned By Equilibrium To Survey On Field Safe Headcollars And How They Help Prevent Injuries To Your Horse
Headcollars (halters, US) are one of the most used pieces of equestrian ‘tack’. Despite this, there appears to be little information on their correct use or injury-related risk factors.
Headcollar-related injuries can essentially be divided into two categories:
- Pressure-induced lesions of superficial anatomical structures
- Traumatic injuries to deeper structures as a result of application of high forces, for example, failure of a headcollar to release.
Injuries may occur when the headcollar becomes caught on something. Alternatively, injuries may occur when horses are tied-up (including travelling) or being led. The prevalence of such injuries is unknown as they are rarely reported and are often suspected rather than observed.
Equilibrium commissioned Dr David Marlin to conduct a survey. Answered by 5615 horse owners*, the survey aimed to find out their experience with using headcollars. This included how often they used them, what types were used, how they were used and the problems associated with them.
The results were surprising.
- Almost 1 out of 3 people experienced a horse being injured as a result of a headcollar.
- More than 1 in 7 people have been injured in a headcollar related incident.
- There were 167 horse fatalities as a result of a headcollar.
Unsurprisingly the majority of incidents occurred tied outside, closely followed by in the field.
The majority of injuries (71%, 1148/1615) occurred whilst
58% (912/1576) of injuries occured whilst horses were tied up:
- 34% (539/1576) outside
- 34% (539/1576) in the stable
- 32% (511/1576) tied to a trailer or lorry
- 25% (397/1576) when travelling
Furthermore,
- 23% (745/1615) of injuries occurred in horses wearing headcollars in the field (not tied up)
- 6% (214/1615) when horses were being led.
The graph below shows the frequency of injury within specific headcollar types used by respondents who had experienced a headcollar-related injury
The study by Dr David Marlin returned a result showing that out of the 5,615 respondents, 134 horses sustained a fracture and 167 fatalities were reported and 134 horses sustained a fracture.
Whilst the survey showed that only 20% of respondents used a safety headcollar suggests that us horse owners perceive the risk of headcollar-related injury to be low.
The results of the Dr David Marlin Survey commissioned by Equilibrium supported the development of their range of Field Safe Headcollars
Headcollars were subjected to increasing load in the poll to lead-rope attachment axis (i.e. to simulate a horse pulling backward) using a custom-made steel rig incorporating an electric 1000 kg winch.
The force was increased incrementally until either the headcollar or device opened or failed.
The lowest mean opening force of 357 ± 50 N was for a safety headcollar, which is equivalent to a load of approximately 36 kg.
The highest breaking force was 5798 ± 265 N for one of the eight different webbing headcollars tested.
Breaking for safety devices ranged from 354 ± 121 N for “fine” baler twine to 1348 ± 307 N for a “heavy duty” baler twine.
Variability in opening force was lowest in two of the webbing headcollars (CV < 5%) despite these having very high breaking points (>3500 N).
Equilibrium Field Safe Headcollars
The Stellar Style Headcollar by Equilibrium combines scientifically tested safety with superior comfort and durability. Made from durable nylon with soft fleece padding, it offers enhanced comfort while maintaining a sleek and stylish appearance. Most importantly, it incorporates the proven Stellar Safety Release system, giving you peace of mind every day.
The Equilibrium Field Safe Headcollars are designed to have average release weights as follows
- Extra Small = 50kg
- Small/Pony Headcollar = 60kg
- Medium/Cob Headcollar = 70kg
- Large/Horse Headcollar = 80kg
- Extra Large Headcollar = 90kg
Steps to Keep Your Safe When Using A Headcollar
How Can You Keep Your Horse Safe?
Quit a lot! little changes can make a big difference in reducing the chance of injury for your horse. Here are some simple ways to improve headcollar safety:
Choose the right headcollar
Opt for leather or a safety design rather than tough synthetic webbing. Safety headcollars like the Equilibrium Stellar Headcollar range are tested to have a consistent release point that is tailored to the average horses weight using that size of headcollar.
Check before you tie your horse up
Always tie your horse to a secure but ‘safe’ point. Consider a purpose-made breakaway tie or safety headcollar rather than relying on baler twine. If you do use baler twine, take a view on whether it could be thinned and therefore, less strong.
Consider multiple ways for the horse to ‘breakaway’
For example, using baling twine alone will not help if the horse get’s their headcollar caught on something, as there may be no pressure on the leadrope and tie area. Another consideration would be that most safety headcollars require force in a direction (i.e. downwards) to release. If your horses leadrope
Turnout Tips For Field Safety With Headcollars
If your horse doesn’t need to wear a headcollar in the field, it’s best not to. However if they do need to, make sure it’s designed to break under pressure if they get caught.
Educate yourself and others on the benefit of Field Safe Headcollars
The more we know, the safer our horses will be!
Summary Of The Benefits Of Field Safe Headcollars
Reduced Injury Risk : The primary benefit is the reduced risk of injury when horses are turned out, as dangerous situations are avoided when the halter breaks away instead of remaining caught
Using Field Safe Headcollars Can Give Peace of Mind : Horse owners can feel more confident leaving horses unattended in fields or stables knowing the headcollar will release if the horse gets into trouble.
Maintained Control When Using Field Safe Headcollars : The breakaway mechanisms are designed to only activate under emergency-level force, so normal handling and leading activities remain safe and controlled
Frequently Asked Questions About Field Safe Headcollars
Is a Field Safe Headcollar suitable for everyday use?
Yes field safe headcollars also known as breakaway headcollars are designed to be a safer version of your everyday headcollar. Able to be used safely in the stable, field or whilst travelling
What is a Field Safe Headcollar?
Field Safe Headcollars (also known as safety headcollars) are designed specifically for horses to wear safely while turned out in the field. Unlike standard headcollars, these are equipped with built-in safety features that reduce the risk of injury should the horse become caught on fencing
How Do Field Safe Headcollars Work?
Field Safe Headcollars Work work by breaking at a point lower than that of which injury can occur to your horse
You Might Also Like This Article About Field Safe Headcollars
Gilly Davidson
Gilly has run Barnstaple Equestrian Supplies since 2015. Over this time Gilly has built up a wide range of knowledge across many equestrian products.
