Equilibrium Stellar Safety Headcollar
EQB1225
Regular price £49.99 Sale price £42.49 Save £7.50The Equilibrium Stellar Safety headcollar is an innovatively designed headcollar which combines a reusable release function with a weatherproof and stylish, comfortable headcollar. The headcollar releases when needed to prevent injury to the soft tissue and nerves on the face, poll and neck. Scientifically tested in the laboratory for a consistent release point and practical field testing for everyday use. Long lasting stainless-steel fittings. Comfortable padding at nose and poll. Smart leather-look synthetic material.
Research by Dr David Marlin showed that 1 in 3 people had experienced a horse being injured because of a headcollar accident. But it’s okay because you use a leather headcollar right? Well, according to the research even a leather headcollars could suspend a weight of 200kg before it will break!
The Equilibrium Stellar® Safety Headcollar has been designed to allow release when it's needed without releasing so easily that loose horses occur unintentionally
The Stellar® Field Safe Headcollar has been scientifically tested to have a consistent release point where the headpiece releases when poll pressure is applied, with an average of 83kg of downward force. Research indicates that this is strong enough for safe horse handling, but low enough to prevent serious injury to the horse in the event of an incident.
See Sage Journal "Opening forces or failure of commercially available equine headcollars and other safety devices"
UK Patent Application No. 2000234.1
Key features
- Reusable safety release system prevents injury to the soft tissue and nerves on the face, poll and neck of the horse.
- Scientifically tested.
- Smart, durable material. Made from PVC with stainless steel fittings.
- Neoprene padding for comfort, on the headpiece and nosepiece.
- Ideal for traveling.
- Perfect as a field safe headcollar.
- Weather-proof, drop it in the mud and after a quick wipe it looks brand new again!
- UK Patent Application No. 2000234.1.
- Ideal for use with the Field Relief Muzzle Protector.
- Matching Stellar Leadrope available.
Fitting and Care
The Stellar® Headcollar is made of a synthetic leather look material and can be cleaned with a soft cloth or sponge and warm water. Do not use soaps, detergents or oils which may damage the weatherproof material
The stud fastener must be kept clean to ensure secure closure unimpeded by mud or debris. To fasten the Stellar® headcollar click the stud fasteners on the headpiece firmly shut, before sliding the keeper over the end of the headpiece as illustrated. The keeper must ALWAYS be over the end for the release system to work as intended.
Testing
We approached Dr David Marlin to find out if there was any research on headcollars. He couldn’t find anything in scientific literature, which we found quite surprising as headcollars are used so frequently.
Initial Survey
Dr David Marlin started researching by conducting a survey of 5615 horse owners* to find out their experience with using headcollars. This included how often they use them and the problems associated with them.
Again, 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.
Diving into the horse injuries – it didn’t seem to matter what headcollar they were using. There were combinations of standard headcollars, safety headcollars and safety devices, however baler twine was associated with a higher risk of injury.
These results demonstrated that perhaps, headcollars should be investigated in more depth…
Scientific Testing
There are a lot of different headcollar designs, materials and safety systems. However none of them appear to have been studied in any kind of systematic way.
For the next stage of testing, Dr David Marlin constructed a testing rig, to measure at what load the different headcollars broke or released at.
Firstly, typical headcollars were identified – webbing, synthetic, rope, leather, safety.
Each headcollar was tested in a standardised way which was repeatable. They were tested 6 times. For headcollars which broke, there was a new one tested each time. For safety headcollars that released, they were re-used if possible.
The results showed that some broke incredibly easily, while others were so strong that they could suspend more than an average horses weight without breaking.
Based on this research, it appears that there is a need for an appropriate load for headcollars to release at, especially if they are a safety headcollar.
Field Testing
When handling horses, we can’t afford for a headcollar to release at too low a force, because it’s not practical to use. However if the headcollar doesn’t open at all or at a high load, it increases the risk of injury and, as we’ve seen from the survey results, the injury could even be fatal.
Stellar® has been independently field tested by Writtle University College on their yard by a variety of people and horses for all general horse handling.
Related Research
*Beva "An online survey of equestrian headcollar use and safety"
Sage Journal "Opening forces or failure of commercially available equine headcollars and other safety devices"
Rleated Product
For orders under £70 within the UK, Jersey, Guernsey and Isle of Man shipping is charged at £4.50. Orders over £50 have FREE delivery within UK mainland. Driving whips and cones are also excluded from free delivery and cannot be shipped outside UK mainland.
Wherever possible orders will be despatched within 48 hours however we may need to order products for you which usually takes 7-10days but please allow up to 28days
You should ensure that someone will be at your chosen delivery address to sign for the parcel(s). If no-one is available to receive the parcel at the specified address, the courier will leave a card with details of the attempted delivery, and the date of the next delivery attempt or where you can collect.
Overseas Shipping -
We are currently shipping to Ireland, Netherlands, Germany, France, Italy, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Hungary, Poland, Spain, Sweden
UK VAT is removed at checkout once you enter your location, please note some products such as children's shoes and clothes are zero rated so no change to the price will occur.
You are responsible for paying any additional taxes, fees or levies which may apply depending on local legislation prior to delivery. Any customs or import duties charges must be paid on request by the courier before your order will be delivered. Unfortunately we are unable to advise of the cost of any of these charges as they vary from country to country. If an order is returned to us becuase the duties were not paid and the order could therefore not be delivered we will not refund your shipping costs.
Upon Receipt of Your Order
Signing for Parcels:
We use signature services for most of our deliveries. This is for our customer's protection. Please make sure that someone is at the address you have specified for delivery, to sign for receipt of your order. You can select a different delivery address when placing your order, such as your workplace or a neighbour’s address.
Missing items:
If your order consisted of a number of substantial items, these may be shipped in multiple boxes. Attached to one of the boxes will be your delivery note. The delivery note will list all of the ordered items, where items are to follow, this will be marked on your delivery note. Where there is a significant delay for part of your order, or stock is unobtainable, we will contact you to let you know. If you think that there are missing items from your order, please check the packaging thoroughly, as small items can sometimes be hidden within the internal packing. We often put small items within the packaging of larger items or attach clips to larger items for their security. In the unlikely event that an item is supplied with missing parts, please contact us at: hello@harnessstuff.co.uk
Please ensure that you do not remove the tags from the products until you are happy with them as they cannot be returned once the tags are removed.
We are more than happy to exchange items for you, please ensure you do not remove the tags or damage the packaging. Please inform us within 14 days of receipt of your order and we will issue you a returns number. Unless the return is due to our error an additional postage charge may apply to send the replacement item to you but this will be at cost. Please inform us within 14 days of receipt by email: hello@harnessstuff.co.uk
Returns
From 13 June 2014 the Consumer Contracts Regulations apply to all purchase you make at a distance, so either online, mail order, over the phone or through a shopping channel
Your right to cancel an order starts the moment you place your order and doesn't end until 30 days from the day you receive your goods.
If, in the unlikely event of you receiving an item which has a manufacturing fault, please contact us within 30 days of receipt of your order, we will arrange to have a repair effected or a replacement sent on return of the faulty one. Alternatively, at this stage you can have a full refund of the original purchase price, less the original delivery charge. Please contact us by email: hello@harnessstuff.co.uk within 30 days of receipt of your order to request a returns number.
The manufacturer may on occasion improve or modify a product without our knowledge, in this situation we will do our best to inform you prior to dispatch, we endeavour to keep the website as up to date as possible but we may not always be aware of an alteration occurring.
In Summary:
- You must inform us of your wish to cancel by contacting hello@harnessstuff.co.uk within 30 days of receipt of your order and we will provide you with a returns number to help the process run smoothly
- You must leave all tags and original packaging in tact and unmarked and the items must be in new condition free of any hair or dirt
- Following notification of your wish to cancel you must return the items to us within 30 days.
- The cost of shipping the item to you originally will not be refunded nor any return shipping costs
We are more than happy to exchange items for you, please ensure you do not remove the tags or damage the packaging. Please inform us within 14 days of receipt of your order and we will issue you a returns number. Unless the return is due to our error an additional postage charge may apply to send the replacement item to you but this will be at cost. Please inform us within 14 days of receipt by email: hello@harnessstuff.co.uk
Returns
From 13 June 2014 the Consumer Contracts Regulations apply to all purchase you make at a distance, so either online, mail order, over the phone or through a shopping channel
Your right to cancel an order starts the moment you place your order and doesn't end until 30 days from the day you receive your goods.
If, in the unlikely event of you receiving an item which has a manufacturing fault, please contact us within 30 days of receipt of your order, we will arrange to have a repair effected or a replacement sent on return of the faulty one. Alternatively, at this stage you can have a full refund of the original purchase price, less the original delivery charge. Please contact us by email: hello@harnessstuff.co.uk within 30 days of receipt of your order to request a returns number.
The manufacturer may on occasion improve or modify a product without our knowledge, in this situation we will do our best to inform you prior to dispatch, we endeavour to keep the website as up to date as possible but we may not always be aware of an alteration occurring.
In Summary:
- You must inform us of your wish to cancel by contacting hello@harnessstuff.co.uk within 30 days of receipt of your order and we will provide you with a returns number to help the process run smoothly
- You must leave all tags and original packaging in tact and unmarked and the items must be in new condition free of any hair or dirt
- Following notification of your wish to cancel you must return the items to us within 30 days with the returns number clearly displayed.
- The cost of shipping the item to you originally will not be refunded nor any return shipping costs
