When choosing the best headcollar for your horse, there are many aspects to bear in mind. Whether you’re concerned about safety, practicality or style, our carefully selected range of headcollars has it all.
The best headcollar for leading a strong horse
If your horse is strong, a controller headcollar could help. Many people use this type of headcollar for lively horses, ponies, stallions or youngstock. It is designed to apply pressure to the horse’s nose when they get strong, to help maintain control, to keep horse and handler safe.
One of the clever things about the controller headcollar is that it does not apply pressure all the time, only as needed, as the release mechanism rewards correct behaviour when the pressure on the lead rope is reduced.
One great example of this type of headcollar is the LeMieux Rope Control Headcollar (pictured below).
The best headcollar for turnout
A lot of people remove their horse’s headcollar in the field, but if your horse is challenging to catch or there’s another reason you want to keep his or her headcollar on in the field, it’s worth considering a field safe headcollar and the features these have.
These headcollars are specially designed to break under pressure, meaning if your horse gets his headcollar stuck on anything, the headcollar should break before the horse hurts himself.
The QHP Field Headcollar is a great, affordable option. On this headcollar, the Velcro straps used are designed to open under pressure, freeing your horse and preventing injury.
The best headcollar for sensitive horses
Some horses can be particularly susceptible to rubbing on their faces which can cause sore areas. If this describes your horse, the first step is to make sure that the headcollar fits the horse well and isn’t too tight.
The next step is to look at headcollars with linings of fleece or wool also knowns as fluffy headcollars. One example is the Cameo Deluxe Headcollar with synthetic sheepskin to prevent rubs.
The best headcollar for tacking up
For tacking up, a headcollar with lots of buckles will be your best friend – if you can undo the nose, throat lash and headpiece, it’ll be super easy to slide your headcollar off once your bridle’s in place. In addition, a headcollar with multiples buckles is perfect for grooming and clipping too.
One great example of this type of headcollar is the LeMieux Leather Grooming Headcollar as it offers many detachable features, making tacking up as easy as can be.
The best headcollar for looking great at a show
While matchy matchy is still a fabulous look, you might want to push the boat out and get a swanky leather headcollar to show off your pride and joy at their next event.
If you’d like, why not go the extra step and get a personalised headcollar? We stock leather headcollars with name plates for this very reason! One example is the Hy Leather Headcollar – after your purchase, you can then take this to a local cobbler for personalisation.
For the extra-large and extra-small equine friends
We know that horses are a range of sizes, which is why our carefully curated selection includes Shetland headcollars and heavy horse headcollars, in addition to everything in between!
KM Elite Headcollars are available in a huge range of sizes. For the smallest ponies, the mini headcollar range is perfectly proportioned for smaller breeds, whilst the brand also caters for the largest horse, including sizes up to Extra-Full.
Best headcollars for foals
Our range of headcollars includes foal headcollars and foal slips too! A foal’s first headcollar is vital to their experience and development, helping to teach them how to be led and handled, so it is an important choice. A lightweight, adjustable option such as the Shires foal slip, is a good solution thanks to the simple, adjustable design.
The ‘slip’ feature offers an extended section coming down from where you would attach a lead rope, making it easier to catch and handle your young horse.
Foal headcollars are also available that have more of a traditional design – some also have additional adjustment at the throat lash point which can be very useful for growing horses.
