Stellar Head Collar

Crafted with a smart, weather-proof material and backed by scientific testing, the Stellar All-Weather Safety Headcollar is ideal for daily use, competitions, and as a field-safe option. 
 
Key Features: 

Inspiration Behind the Design: 
Driven by a commitment to equine welfare and safety, Equilibrium embarked on a journey to investigate headcollar standards, a piece of equipment used daily by most horse owners. The survey findings were startling, showcasing alarming injury rates. This ignited the start of a commitment to delve deeper into headcollar testing and safety.   

At Equilibrium we are dedicated to continuously evaluating and developing our products. After conducting a thorough examination of headcollar safety and incorporating valuable feedback from our dedicated customer-base, an opportunity was highlighted to further elevate the Stellar All-Weather Headcollar design to offer a tailored release system, which is appropriate for the individual horse’s size and weight. The Safety Release System is now located on the right side of the headcollar allowing for easy replacement no longer needing to replace the whole headpiece, but also allowing for easy adjustability.

Survey Results: 
Equilibrium commissioned Dr David Marlin to conduct a survey. Answered by 5615 horse owners*, the survey aimed to find out their experience with using headcollars. This included how often they used them, what types were used, how they were used and the problems associated with them.

The results were surprising.

• Almost 1 out of 3 people experienced a horse being injured as a result of a headcollar.
• More than 1 in 7 people have been injured in a headcollar related incident.
• There were 167 horse fatalities as a result of a headcollar. 

Unsurprisingly the majority of incidents happened tied outside, closely followed by in the field.  These results demonstrated that perhaps, headcollars should be investigated in more depth…

Find the published results here: https://beva.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/eve.13480 

 Scientific Testing: 
To explore headcollar safety further, Equilibrium commissioned Dr. David Marlin to test the release points of different types of headcollars and tying up devices, including baling twine. The results showed a great variation, from some tie up aids releasing as low as 9kg, to some headcollars releasing as high as over 600kg - more than the average horses’ weight.   
 
Find the full research paper here: https://doi.org/10.1177/17543371211039610  

Equilibrium conducted more testing to develop this concept further using a tensile machine. Different lengths of straps were tested to measure their maximum load before releasing. This allowed the appropriate strap and release weight to be matched with the ideal horse size, with the average release rates being based on 10-15% of the horse’s or pony’s weight. Therefore, the different headcollar sizes are set to release at an average of:  

Small/Pony Headcollar = 45kg. 

Medium/Cob Headcollar = 58kg. 

Large/Horse Headcollar = 68kg. 

Extra Large Headcollar = 83kg. 

The release system is tested to release consistently, up to 10 times. Equilibrium recommends that the safety strap is replaced after 10 pulls (or if the Velcro is not adhering well) to ensure efficiency of the strap.  
 
Benefits for Horses: 
The Stellar Headcollar strikes the perfect balance between safety and practicality. Offering peace of mind from field to competition, the Stellar’s safety mechanism allows it to release when needed to reduce the chance of injury, but it’s consistency and release point make it suitable for everyday handling or travelling. Its weatherproof construction ensures durability against the elements, making it a reliable companion for every equine enthusiast. 
 
Care Instructions: 
Maintain the Stellar Headcollar’s appearance by simply cleaning using a soft cloth or sponge and warm water. Avoiding using soap or chemicals that could compromise its weather-proof integrity.