About 30 years ago, after hearing so many tragic stories from people about finding their foal or precious horse hanging from a stable latch, paddock gate fitting etc. with a broken neck or serious injury from thrashing around after being caught by the headstall, I started cutting the two side rings on every headstall that was to be left on a horse for any reason.
Over the years we have found many headstalls lying on the ground with their rings open, but NEVER a dead or injured horse.
We have passed this tip onto so many people over the years that have passed through River Oak with very happy stories coming back to us.
All you need is bolt cutters, cut the two side rings on the joins and, hey presto, you eliminate a major problem.
Horses can still be lead safely with these headstalls just not tied-up if they are prone to pulling back to any major degree. Normal tying up is fine.
If the horse does get caught it is usually just a matter of putting the rings back on and closing with a pair of pliers. If not, headstalls are cheap compared to losing the horses we love!
