Over years the debate of the right material for horse halters have escalated into a debate on the merits and demerits of the various techniques and raw materials used in halter manufacture. The opinions are divided on the topic and this is not a good thing for the equine community.
One of the most important things to remember at this point is the fact that halters are one of the most used pieces of tack. The horse wears its halter for the major part of the day. Thus, the halter is subjected to higher level of abuse and exposure to elements than other tack pieces such as saddle or the bridle. Given this fact, it is important that the construction of the halter should be sturdier than average tack.
The issue of exposure to elements such as sunlight, sweat and mud is very real because it directly affects the service life of the halter. Replacing horse halters is a significant recurring expense that stables have to incur. Thus, the issue of service life is something more than a debate on the cosmetic aspects of horse halter material. The appropriate material for horse halter should be resilient to the elements and provide long service life.
One of the least discussed aspects of the debate is the maintenance requirements for the tack. While this might not be an issue for the owner of a single pony, it is a very important issue for even small stables with several horses on the roll. The staff has to dedicate time for proper conditioning of the tack so that the pieces remain usable and above all safe for the both the trainer and the horse.
These factors should be considered when the owner or the stable manager is considering replacing the currant inventory of horse halters.
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