Impressed with "Be Nice" halter

[jennyec]

My new forest mare can be very strong and will often tank off for grass (especially if my parents have offered to help out and bring her in for me!) or to "visit" another horse! She can also be a bit spooky and as her and her field group in the latest field rotation have been moved to a feild which can only be accessed by crossing a lane, i was worrying about occasional lack of control. Although shes only small shes heavily built and very very strong!

I thought about using a bridle, but someone on my yard uses a Be Nice with her 17year old mare who has the mindset of a 2 year old!

Its amazing the difference, i can walk her out with the leadrope really relaxed as i do when she is behaving, but as soon as she try to go off, instead of it being a race to get control of her, i just gently but firmly check her back and shes straight back with me.

Alot of the time her behaviour is because she becomes destracted not because she is deliberatly disobeying me, so it seems to be good at reminding her im there!

Anyone else use these halters? Im really impressed!

Jenny

[s4sugar]

I purchased one on a visit to Las Vegas in 1993.

I've just bought another for my current project:) I find that they are effective and a teaching aid as they can be used with great subtlety.
It is a shame they are so expensive.
Look on ebay but do avoid the copies (without metal) that get called Be Nice. The real ones are unmistakable.

[ariano15]

Interesting - do they work in the same way as dually halters..?

[coyote]

my last cob Blaze when i first got him used to drag me down past the stables towards the main road,i got a be nice halter and it changed his behaviour immediately,i never got dragged anywhere again,in the end ,i got to the stage with him that i could walk him to and from the field with just a headcollar on .:D

[No_Angel]

I have a be nice for Shay.
I used to lead him in a rope halter, but i developed Carpal Tunnel and cannot grip so well now, so the be nice makes it much easier for me (and him) to lead.

[ameliet1971]

Are these the type of halters which when pulled, tightens the studs on the top and puts pressure on the horse's poll?

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[jennyec]

Are these the type of halters which when pulled, tightens the studs on the top and puts pressure on the horse's poll?

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It puts pressure on the nose, poll and behind the jaw, as with any training aid it could be used in a harsh manner, but used correctly it is a soft training aid, i only ever use it as a gentle reminder, and to give me the means so that if she was ever spooked by something on the way to the field, i could regain control before she ran into the road, and could be potentially very badly injured.

Heres a link to their website http://www.benicehalters.co.uk/

and a link to a website describing the use of the be nice and other halters http://www.horseweb-uk.com/features/benice.htm

Jenny

[AengusOg]

I use 'Be-Nice' halters in all my work.

I retrained a horse recently who was very afraid of clippers, with only a 'Be-Nice' and a lunge rope (and clippers of course).

I take a selection of sizes (supplied by my local tack shop) with me when I visit a client and sell one nearly every time, they are so impressed with the change in their horse.

Like all equipment it must be used correctly, but it's an easy technique to learn, and all horses respond very well to its use.

[ameliet1971]

It puts pressure on the nose, poll and behind the jaw, as with any training aid it could be used in a harsh manner, but used correctly it is a soft training aid, i only ever use it as a gentle reminder, and to give me the means so that if she was ever spooked by something on the way to the field, i could regain control before she ran into the road, and could be potentially very badly injured.

Heres a link to their website http://www.benicehalters.co.uk/

and a link to a website describing the use of the be nice and other halters http://www.horseweb-uk.com/features/benice.htm

Jenny
Thanks for the links jennyec, but I'm still not sure if these are the halters that have studs attached to them which are intended to press down on the horses poll when pressure is applied.

I have seen one of these studded 'be nice' halter used, but I'm afraid I didn't see anything nice about the mechanism of it. I must admit to not liking any type of pressure halter, but IMO the dually headcollar would be much less severe than a studded 'be nice' halter...they're 'dual' purpose as well. :)

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[s4sugar]

The studs are very rounded and they give instant pressure - a bit like pushing with fingertips - and then, which is very important, instant relief as soon as the rope is slackened.
In this way they work like the knotted NH halters but having tried both I find the action of the be nice more precise and smoother. They are also easier to put on or off less confident horses.
It is a bit like using a curb rein when riding or any aid for that matter. If you know what you are doing it is an excellent tool but if you are heavy handed or use it inappropriately it can be cruel.

I tried a Dually and was not impressed as all it did for my youngster was encourage her head back without the body following. The old cottage craft controller did that and so did a rope across the nose using a standard head collar.

[8-legged-pony]

We have one and use it on anything that's starting to get a bit silly coming in from the field - they just give you that extra bit of control. It acts just liike a normal halter until they misbehave, then as soon as they come back to you it releases, therefore praising them immediately they've listened to you. My only problem with them is it takes me a while to put them on because I always manage to get them twisted!

[AengusOg]

How to avoid getting them twisted.............

Release the clip and hold withright hand.....with left hand take hold of nose band and let go with right hand as you remove halter from horse.

Keep hold of nose band and do-up halter at clip. Halter is ready for next time if hung up somewhere.

[colettybetty]

I have the Be-Nice and the dually. The Be-Nice has been the most effective, so effective that I don't need it now. The dually is pretty much the same as using the lead rope across the nose, but at £40 , more expensive.
The Be-Nice ,has to be used properly, release has to be instant, and therefore horse is rewarded for doing the right thing. Constantly pulling/yanking on a normal headcollar while trying to keep control in a sticky situation is probably far more uncomfortable for a horse.

[Flony_Pony]

It soiunds really good, jess is very 'oh im going over here now.....bye' but im trying parelli with her first, she just doesnt respect me at the moment!

[tabithakat64]

Be-nice halters really work, when I got him my horse was really bolshy and the be-nice stopped me being trampelled and dragged.

[ameliet1971]

Although most horses are probably fine with a pressure halter being used on them, for some though, these halters could do more damage than good - even in experienced hands.

The closing in mechanism which produces increasing pressure around the nose, poll and jaw areas could have a serious detrimental effect on exceptionaly claustrophobic horses or ponies. The type of pressure halters such as the 'be nice' that have studs fitted to add extra pressure on the poll area are the most likely to produce a claustrophobic attack.

For the safety of the horse and the handler, I think the manufacturers of these type of halters should at least make it clear that they're not suitable for every horse or pony.

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