Be Nice Halter

[No_Angel]

has anyone used one of these?
How do they compare to a normal rope halter?

[Libbyo]

I use one on both Questy and Pinnochio. I bought it for Questy during a leary patch. I think it works well and a quick pull brings him back into line, Pinnochio borrows it if hes particulary excitable going down the lane to his turn out field. It was confusing to put on at first. Never used a rope halter.

[shoniedaspony]

the difference between a be nice halter and a normal rope halter is metal bumps that are on the rope that goes across the poll. it basically has a cross system under the chin which creates pressure over the nose, and pressure over the poll where the bumps are. Meant to act (i think) on poll pressure points.

personally not my cup of tea, i use a pressure halter such as they sell in derby house, which is based on a tighten-release system, giving instant relief when you/ the horse stop pulling. it is of a similar design, except there are no metal bumps and a slightly different system of pulleys to act the pressure.

What are you thinking of using it for? i use mine for loading.

[No_Angel]

i want to use it for loading. he already has a rope halter but manages to get it in his mouth when loading, and he can leg it more easily now as I have carpal tunnel in my right hand and cant grip very well.
He has a crosspull bridle and this stops him well, so i was thinking the same action in a halter might work aswell.
I dont like the metal grips on the headpiece too much either, so would most likely use a sheepskin sleeve on it (he loves sheepskin)

[TaffyJay]

I used a be nice halter on my cob when he became very strong to lead in from the field, to start with it worked wonders but then he really started resenting it by bucking and generally misbehaving so have gone back to normal headcollar with him and going to go back to basics with the training. only wanted it as i dont always bring him in so didnt want him squeashing someone less experienced:o

[martini55]

I have a be nice halter but it hardly ever gets used these days. I used it when Martini was difficult to lead and she soon realised that she couldn't get away with taking off anymore. I popped it on the last time I was loading her a just incase but I either didn't need it or she knew she had it on and loaded fine. The metal bits across the poll aren't the best and I don't think I'd use it on a horse that might rear.

[shoniedaspony]

i like the pressure halter i have- it isnt a cross action but when asking a horse to move forward i found that quite confusing? whereas poll pressure seems to be more sensible to some extent.
http://www.derbyhouse.co.uk/prodshow.asp?id=500&a=srch

If he is being a pain and i dont have my pressure halter, i tend to loop my leadrope over his poll and use that (similar to how some people use a leadrope around the nose)
Poll pressure seems to work better when asking him to move forwards if he is resisting than nose pressure. But i suppose that depends on the individual horse.

I use mine when he hasnt been loaded in a while and tends to evade- but once we practise for a while, we can go back to the headcollar- it works well as a training aid to reduce the evasion to a level at which i can use a headcollar to load him.

[raggydoll]

I've been using a be nice with Hattie. She can be very bargy and bolshy to handle when she is anxious and being as chunky as she is it was becoming a struggle at times. Shes 100% better in that and actually seems calmer when she is in it. I dont plan on using it forever and am working with her on groundwork and respect so that hopefully she wont need it any more.

[Yann]

They're severe compared to a normal rope halter as they tighten both over the nose and poll, studs included. The poll pressure can apparently encourage some horses to rear.

[tabithakat64]

I used a be nice on Fudge and its very effective as he can be very bolshy, I would recommend it as long as people use it correctly and don't tie their horse up in it.