Conference noted::equitation

    
    I believe that breakaway halters are available that will split or
    separate when the strain becomes too great (vague memory from some
    commentary in a magazine ).  Look in magazines and mail-order catalogs
    for these.
    

    For every horror story of halters on, there must be a similar story
    of halters off.  Up until recently, I had always been used to turn
    out with halter on.  The barn where I board my horses has one smaller
    barn where the horses are turned out without halters and walk in
    and out of their stalls without being led.  My personal preference
    is that horses seem to be able to get into less trouble without
    halters than with.  In your particular case, you might want to get
    some inexpensive leather halters or maybe one of the breakaway halters
    for the horses that tend to get loose or seem to have a good chance
    of getting into trouble.  The tragedy that you had happen could
    possibly have been lessened with a leather halter.  The negative
    to using a leather halter is things like if your horse rolls alot,
    the leather, unless well kept (ie: oiled and cleaned regularly),
    will break and have to be replaced much more frequently than the
    nylon halters.  I'm sorry about your tragedy - I just wish that
    there was an easy answer or a right way to handle the turning out
    of horses.
    
    
    Sherree
    
   
    

    
    
    Regarding notes 1 and 2, you both mentioned breakaway halters which
    I've tried to get from various companies only to discover that they
    have been discontinued.  However, I will check magazines and see
    if I can order them from the companies advertising.
    
    Thanks...
    
    Linda
    
    

    
	Since now having a Foal on the property I have since revisted
    the use of halters while in stalls and pasture, and have come up
    with this conclusion based on my experience, (please remember this 
    is just my opinion)
   
    	Our Foal:
    		Always remove halter when unattended.

	Geldings:
    		Either on or close by when in stall, checking first
    to make certain nails or other objects are not protruding from stall.

    		If face or muzzle has become chaffed, I remove halters
    for a couple of days, and put vasaline on those spots.
    
    I guess the bottom line is EVERYONES recommendation is their own 
    opinion, determine yours by your horse(s) surroundings.
    
	
    		-dave

Whether or not to halter horses turned out to pasture is a difficult decision.
I always remove the halters from my horses when turning them out because, as 
someone has already pointed out, they seem to get into less trouble that way.

Breakaway halters are nice but are not as safe as we might believe. At least
the ones I've seen have breakaway throat latches but not nose bands. If a horse
gets a shoe caught in the nose band alot of damage can occur. During fly 
season a horse can easily catch a shoe (rear) in the nose band while scratching
flies.

I leave some grain in a bucket where the neighbors can find it. If a horse 
should get out, one of the neighbors can lead him to his stall using the grain
as bait. I also leave some grain in each stall, mostly to save time when I get
home in the evening, but it makes the horses very willing to go to their 
stalls.

	Tyke

    Difficult Question - Definately!
    
    I never used to leave halters on any of my horses while unattended.
    I have heard of so many accidents that just seemed so senseless.
    However, my mare foaled at the end of May and I could not get near her
    she was so protective, so I had to start leaving the halter on.  I
    bought a leather halter, and made sure it fit properly, but still
    cringe every time I turn her out.  I watch the baby rear and buck,etc..
    I am so afraid that he could get caught up in it.  Even though it's
    leather, I don't think it would break that fast!  I decided that
    I would only leave it on until the mare was used to having the foal
    with people around, then take it off.  If the horses get loose,
    I just pray to god, they don't go to the road!  I too live on an
    extremely busy road, but I trust my fencing more than I trust my
    halters.  I have a friend who lost her horse by getting it's shoe
    caught up while scratching.  I couldn't deal with that!  I just
    have to trust that if my horses get loose, they'll muunch until
    I get home.  Maybe some extra precautions are that you do leave
    halters and leadropes out where neighbors could access them.
    Good luck.

    	This is purely a matter of personal preference. We always turn-out
    with halters on for many of the reasons already cited. I would never
    turn a horse out unattended, however in a nylon halter... it's just
    too risky. Even a top quality leather halter will break if your
    horse is in serious trouble, and it's alot easier to replace a halter
    than a good friend. By the way, personal preference prevents me
    from trailering with a nylon halter either. (They're good for bathing
    a horse though!)

	I just   couldn't  resist  throwing  in  my  $.02.  My  personal
    preference  is  to leave a halter on at all times,including while in
    the  stall,  if at all possible. I have used an ancient nylon halter
    for  years  (it's  practly  worn thru at the rings) on the gelding I
    used  to  have,  but will probably switch to using a cheapie leather
    halter if (read when) I get another horse. The reasoning behind what
    may seem like madness is the following.

	Some time  ago, probably about 7 years ago now, my appy, who was
    in his early teens at the time (he turns 20 this year!!!) decided to
    either  pick  his teeth or go after a bug on his head, he never told
    me  which.  He had just been fed moments before and some kid who was
    attending  the  summer  camp  at  the  barn where I boarded him just
    happened  to  take a peek in his stall. There was Tonka, down on the
    ground,  with  his  HIND  foot  stuck  securely in his mouth. He was
    literally  choking to death. There was no way that the average human
    acting  alone  could  have  safely saved him were he not wearing his
    halter.  Some  fast  acting  by the barn owners saved his life. What
    they  had  to  do  was  one person clipped a lead rope to his halter
    (avoiding  loos feet). The other person grabbed his tail (luckily he
    had  a  LONG  tail). Then they pulled his back end towards his front
    end.  His  foot  finally popped out like a cork from a bottle. Other
    than  a  couple  of  loosened tushes and some scrapes on the coronet
    band, there were no ill effects. He owes his life to having a halter
    on in his stall.

	Another potential, albeit morbid, reason for wearing a halter in
    the  stall  is  that  in  case  of  fire,  it may be easier to get a
    frightened  horse out of the barn if you don't have to get something
    over the highest part of their body before trying to get them out of
    their stall if they won't go by themselves.


	As far as haltering in the pasture, I prefer it because it makes
    it just a little bit easier to catch them - lots of horses will pull
    away just as you're about to slip the halter over their heads!!


	I realize  there  are  plenty  of  people  who  feel exactly the
    opposite  if  the  way  I  do.  I can handle that. I will not try to
    impose my beliefs on you. I'll halter your horse the way you want it
    haltered as long as you return the favor.

	One more  note.  The breakaway halters (I believe Farnam used to
    make  them)  broke away at the crown if the pull was too great (e.g.
    if  a  horse  reared  up  on  the  cross  ties,  the horse would fly
    backwards  after  a tug, leaving the halter hanging there. I haven't
    seen  too  many  of these around lately and was lead to believe that
    they weren't being manufactured any more. Are they?


				    Kathy

They are still making breakaway halters. I just got one a couple of
months ago through mail-order from a company in San Francisco. If
anyone is interested, I will try to find the address, price (around
$12) and ordering info.

It broke, too!! I believe you can order extra crown pieces, which I
will now have to do.

-julie

    
    	I think you must really look at what is best for your safety
    	in your operations.
    
    	I have had horses for 23 years and have never shut them in.
     	They go in and out as they please.  I have never kept halters
    	on and have never had any accidents (THANK GOD!).
    
    	But those nags and I have an "understanding".  When I approach
    	either one with a halter - they STAY PUT.  We had some training
    	sessions to achieve this and let me tell you - it is worth it.
    
    	I have had both get out over the years and one LOUD "HO!" was
    	all that was needed to remind them we weren't going over hill
    	and dale.
    
    	But, as you all know one nag isn't going to be like the next
    	my Appy really likes folks and you got to pull him off you when
    	you work in his turn-out.  I pulled a roofing nail out of his
    	near-hind one day without a halter - I really wasn't thinking -
    	I was cleaning his feet - (he looked "alittle off") and I found
    	the nail.  Normally, I wouldn't do something like that without 
    	a halter.
    
    	My Morgan likes me but doesn't mind if every other person takes 
    	a hike - he will panic when he gets hurt or in a situation where
    	he feels he is helpless - (he was a badly abused animal).  So,
    	perhaps another person would have a time to even get near him
    	anyway - with or without a halter.  We have been - lucky he made
    	30 this year.
                      
    	I do do alot of camping and that requires a halter on my horse
    	when I attach him to his "dog run".  I think I am going to check
    	around and talk with some of the folks that use breakaway halters
    	and see if they like them.  I'll look around this week-end when
    	I go to Canterbury (Cross State Trail Ride Annual Spring Weekend).
    
    	I'll post for or against.
    
    	Even after all these years - I am still "on the fence" about
    	this.  I know horror stories about both......
    
    	Susan
    	

    After seeing two horses strangled to death from wearing nylon halters
    while in pasture, I would rather spend the extra dollars and have
    a leather halter on her.  I really don't like any halter on my horse
    while turned out or in her stall, but as some of you have stated
    it is a lot easier to catch them if they should get loose near busy
    roads.  I only use a nylon halter on her when I give her a bath.
    
    I never leave a halter on her while she's in her stall because if
    she should get a foot caught up in it, it could cause her to become
    cast and there's always the possibility that she might not be found by
    someone in time to help.  She's also a very easy horse to halter/bridle
    if the need arose to get her out of her stall.  While turned out,
    on the other hand (since she's not on pasture; just a dirt turnout
    area), if she does get loose she heads for the grass.  A little
    grain in a bucket or even a package of carrots will usually get
    her to come back though!
    
    Happy Trails,
    Pat
        

     I think the anser to your problem is to leave the halter off and get a 
    stronger fence.

    I just received some sad information from another Decie who
    does not frequent the notesfile.
    
    Her neigbor had to bury her beloved Palomino this weekend. He was 
    pastured in a large field with another horse and was checked on
    twice a day when he is fed/watered. The Palomino was found dead 
    in the field with his hind leg through his halter!! His pasture 
    mate was standing by.
    
    He was either rolling or went to scratch his face (as dogs do)
    and put his leg through his LEATHER halter. There was much evidence
    of thrashing. The poor thing tried to free himself but either
    suffocated or broke his neck before he could get free. 
    
    Now I get creepy thoughts. I know there is a controversy in past
    notes about whether to halter or not. Some people halter because
    they want to be able to catch the critter if it escapes. Some people
    choose not to halter precisely for the above reason. I compromised
    with my guys. I know nylon halters will hardly ever break, so I leave
    their LEATHER halters on. I was told by salespeople and friends that
    the leather will break if the horse gets caught on something.
    
    But this critter's LEATHER halter did not break!! Makes me take on
    a new perspective here. I think I will leave everyone halterless from
    now on. What do you all think ?
    
    T
    

    What a horrible, sad story! 
    
    I never, ever, under any circumstances leave halters on my horses when
    they are unattended. Because of the potential danger. They are not
    hard to catch, but even if they were, Id rather deal with that than
    come home to find an injured horse.
    
    You *can* buy break-away halters, though. Ive seen them in tack shops,
    the crownpiece is velcro.....Im not sure of the exact design. Perhaps
    someone else has used one? Im still not sure Id trust it, though.....
    

    I agree with .14......halters no matter what they are made of,
    are mad to restrain, not to break!
    
    L

    I think it's 6 of one and half a dozen of the other.  Easy to say 
    about catching them, but what if your horse escapes out onto a road?  
    It's hard enough to catch up with them, let alone get hold of'em.
    
    I remember when I was a kid, the halter discussion always came up about
    leaving them on in their stalls.  Most people didn't, but then the
    Dupont's had a fire and lost half their ponies.  The fire company said
    if they'd been wearing halters, they could have rescued a lot more of
    them.  So some people started leaving them on in their stalls.  Then I
    heard about a horse getting hung up on his water bucket.
    
    Off the topic of halters, but on a similar topic, I've noticed a lot of
    people nowadays walking their horses around with the stirrups dangling,
    instead of running them up the leathers.  My 1st teacher told me that
    he once saw a horse kick at a fly and get his hind leg caught in the
    iron.  You can imagine the rest....
    
    Mary

    
    	This is a hard one to answer.  I have always left halters on.  I
    used to deal with Stallions.  Most barns (if you board out) won't let a
    stallion be turned out unless it has a halter on and someone watching
    nearby.  As far as horses getting hung up on fence and other things
    around the barn, I feel that is up to the barn "poeple" to make sure
    there isn't anything for the halter to get hung up on.
    
    	I had my horses in 29 Palms, they were in barbed wire (I know,
    another no no.).  We left the halters on for the first few days because
    we were near a major road and the dangers of them running off into the
    desert.  They did get loose once and ran to the neighbors (1/2 mile
    away) to tease the stallions she boards there.  We would have never
    caught them if they didnt have their halters on.  They no longer wear
    halters.
    
    	So, for my "for or against", I say not unless they are being
    watched.  I would hate to find one of my "kids" with a foot through a
    halter that didn't break.
    
    Virginia

Aren't there laws about requiring a halter be worn by any horse in a pasture?
My father-in-law made us put halters on our horses because he claimed that
Littleton, at least, required this.

Ed..

    I have read and heard about many horses being hurt because they had	
    their halters on. The main reason given is so you can catch them.
    
    I have been able to catch any horse I have ever tried to with nothing
    but a grain bucket. My sisterinlaw saw a horse get caught up on	
    a metal fence post and drop its guts... twisting trying to get off.
    
    Please don't leave halters on. Just get a coffee can and put a little
    grain in it. Give it a shake each time you feed. I have had ,
    (I know it wasn't a good idea) wild horses come up to me using
    this method. 
    If you insist on leaving a halter on, take an old leather one
    and cut 3/4 of the way through it. Don't chance it. Just take
    a little time and train your horse.
    
    Carl

    ALthough I heartily agree that halters are dangerous, there's another
    side too.  I lost a beautiful little mare in a barn fire because no one
    could get a halter on her.  ORdinarilly she would be no problem at all,
    but needless to say I sure she was panicked.  Anyway, the horses that
    got out of this one were the ones with halters.  
    
    But it *is* dangerous to leave them on.  What I do is buy the cheapest,
    worst constructed leather halters, and they break about one a month. 
    It's a fallacy to think that all types of leather halters will break. 
    If you have a double-thickness, triple-stitched leather halter, I doubt
    very much if it will break when you'd like it to.  I like the idea of
    cutting it part way through.  
    
    A flimsy halter won't hold a horse, as Lynne mentioned.  But the horse
    doesn't know that.  And it might enable you to get a good halter on him
    in panicky situations.
    
    
    -ellie

    Of course, then, when you need the halter to control the
    panicked horse, it isn't strong enough!
    
    Lynne

    I am a firm believer that horses should not be haltered while outside,
    however where I board my horses the rule is they must have a halter on.
    So, I use the cheap State Line Tack leather halters that won't bleed when
    wet on them.  The halters are fitted very snug.
    
    There are several places w/ horses on the street where I board, and
    not too long ago I was involved in a chase of two horses that escaped.
    One panicked and no grain, carrots or nice coaxing could catch this
    horse.  Thank goodness it had a halter on, becasue one guy was able to
    get close enough to snap a leadline on it and finally catch it.
    
    So, maybe some horses need them and others don't.....
    
    Michele
    

I am not sure if I like the idea of having the halter be on too tight.  Our
little one (1.5 years old) has a rather nasty sore from the halter being
too tight (and to me it did not seem all that tight).  So, we have to leave
her without a halter so that the sore will heal.

Ed..

    Too snug halters cause permanent damage to the hair folicles,
    causing scarring and bald areas on the face.  My neighbor's
    horse has some of this damage on the bridge of his nose....
    
     

    Thanks for the advice on too snug halters.  These halters are lined
    with fleece and are snug enough so a hoof probably wouldn't get caught
    up there, but not so snug as to ruin hair.  I've seen many a horse with
    dents in their noses from too tight halters.  At this point I don't
    have too much of a chioce.

    An earlier reply beat me to the punch.  Most places where you board out
    don't give you a choice.  Much is done for their convenience, rather
    than your horses health and well-being.
    
    Mary

    In the case where I had no choice, I think Id search long and hard for
    the break-away types you see advertised, or devise something myself...
    remove the bucket and attach some velcro or something. 
    

    Here's an idea -- use a halter that has a snap at the throat, but
    instead of snapping it onto the halter ring, tie it on there with a
    light string.  Or, even easier, have aloop of string attached to the
    ring, and attach the snap to that.  This would break almost immediately 
    in case of trouble, I'd bet, and you'd have a halter that could be 
    made secure easily and quickly in case of emergency by just snapping 
    the clip onto the ring.
    
    
    Hey, I like this.  Think I'll do this when I get home.
    
    -ellie

    
    
    great idea ellie!   

    Great idea!  I'll try it tonight.
    
    Thanks :-)

              Re: Last few
           
        It works great........been doing it for years.  Never
    had a problem.  Ooooops, I probably shouldn't have said that......
    
               Bob