Noavel Headstall - thumbs down

[BEARCAT]

One of our TV stations plays what is basically an infomercial on "the Noavel Headstall." Being interested in everything and anything featuring horses that happens to - rarely -play on television, I have watched bits and pieces of it. To me it's just another "training" gimmick and it really has not held my attention, especially since the quality of the footage is very poor (both image and sound.)
However a couple of days ago, they had a show featuring minis being "broke to ride." They used a kid for the demo - fair enough since those were VERY small minis. The kid was rather big - I would guess he weighed half of the mini's weight, could have easily wrapped his feet around under the mini. Now, I am not the touchy feely kind, but you could clearly see the mini's knees buckling under the weight. Both minis had to splay their legs out in an odd fashion to be able to walk and bear the weight!
I was pretty appalled by it.
Anyone else see that great demonstration of horsemanship (insert sarcastic tone)?

[Crzy4Mares]

I didn't see the commercial, however I have checked out the website advertising the noavel. A trainer friend of mine who specializes in behavioral issues owns one, and I have seen it save her life with the really rank ones. I disagree with a lot of the marketing that they do with the product, but I think that in the right hands, and used only when extremely necessary, it can give a bit of an upper hand. My friend does not do much riding in it, but uses it in the beginning stages of starting the groundwork over (funny, it seems that most of the under saddle behavioral issues occur when steps are skipped on respect and groundwork). When the horses are running you over and have no respect, it makes them think twice about trying it again. Doesn't usually take much, and you can graduate to a rope halter next...

[dawglover]

I went to a clinic about 3 years ago where Rick Wheat used an easily distracted, wiggly 2 year old filly I owned in the demo for the headstall.

It got her attention and quick...after a couple of good bumps with it all he had to do was wiggle the lead a tiny bit and she stood still and paid attention to Rick.
She'd had a good bit of ground work but had never been backed and he even saddled and got on her that day and rode her around the round pen with the headstall.

He was quiet and easy with her and the headstall, when used correctly, is a good training aid.

I heard that Rick had sold the marketing rights so whoever has it now must be doing the tasteless advertising.

[cowgirljenn]

We had Rick Wheat do a demo at the 2008 Bluebonnet Horse Expo. We worked with some of the rescue horses and really did a great job...

[katarine]

I can ONLY see it having a place on a spoiled, pushy horse. And then, it should be used with great discretion and replaced ASAP with a good rope halter and lead sans any hardware. like within a few turns and whoas.

The films they show of it being used on normal green horses or slightly pushy horses -make my teeth itch. I flip that channel, fast :( Last week it was a green, scared, spotted saddle horse- he kept the horse's face jammed up tight in it, in a too small roundpen. The horse was simply overstimulated and frightened..and frankly not all THAT far from sucking back and flipping at a halt. Yeah, I'm pretty sure if you popped me over the brige of my nose and my jaw line simultaneously I'd pop my ears up and pay attention, too. But NOT in a positive way, trust me on that one LOL

[nappingonthejob]

The Noavel is a great tool - in the right hands, and on the right horse. It's like any other training tool, like some big scary-looking bit or spurs. With the wrong person, they're abusive. With a knowlegeable person with horse sense, they get the job done efficiently and safely.

Since the instructors (lifelong, incredibly wise horse people) at the farrier school I attended started using the Noavel, they went from having to drug unmanageable horses to work on them three times a month to three times a year.

Rick Wheat can be a bit backwoods snake oil salesman and come across wrong. He's got the biggest case of little lady syndrome I've ever seen and sometimes his clinics are a bit rough. He comes from the kind of background where the cowboys need to see drama to be impressed. But, he knows his way around a horse and his product has saved my ass and allowed me to work safely numerous times.

[RedTahoe]

Maybe I'm missing something, but the Noavel headstalls look a lot like some of the modified bosals and other training headstalls I've seen out on the market?

[nappingonthejob]

The noseband has got a funky curve to it that hits the pressure points differently. It's hard to see even if you're holding one, never mind looking at pictures. However, put the noseband flat on the ground and you'll see the contour.

[JollyBadger]

I saw an infomercial for the first time last night. . .looked like a guy in a prison uniform riding a small horse. The video was very poor quality so I couldn't really even see what the bridle looked like. The trainer kept telling the rider to lean forward and touch the horse's head to make her put her head down.

Maybe it's because I didn't see the thing from start to finish, but the whole thing just seemed kind of bizarre. . .

[ESG]

Is there no video on the website? I couldn't find one.

And I'm with those who say it looks like a normal bosal.

[Crzy4Mares]

It is similar to a bosal, however it is steel wrapped in leather....

[katarine]

It's a solid piece of steel. There's some thin leather over the nose.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RjDO55M8FeE

This short video with it's soft music and sweet tone just makes me queasy.

Pause it at 22 seconds, that's your 'normal bosal' eh? Hardly. Like saying a butter knife is the same as a surgeon's scalpal.

[JollyBadger]

It's a solid piece of steel. There's some thin leather over the nose.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RjDO55M8FeE

This short video with it's soft music and sweet tone just makes me queasy.

Pause it at 22 seconds, that's your 'normal bosal' eh? Hardly. Like saying a butter knife is the same as a surgeon's scalpal.

There are a few videos of it on YouTube, and they're all just kind of strange. It looks like yet another "magic" piece of equipment for people to go out and buy, to instantly cure all of their horse's vices.:rolleyes:

[Gnalli]

There are a few videos of it on YouTube, and they're all just kind of strange. It looks like yet another "magic" piece of equipment for people to go out and buy, to instantly cure all of their horse's vices.:rolleyes:

No, not really, though I thought so too at first. I have seen them used by good horsemen with good results. I would definitely say that they are to be used with care and discretion and good horsemanship after being taught HOW and WHEN to use them. I wish I had had one when trying to load an OTTB mare we had that flat out did NOT want to load. I think it might have been a saving grace thing for her.

[katarine]

I would use it on the bully sow that's listed in the other thread about a mare that won't load b/c she knows that NO is an option.

She'd see a few stars, then she'd see the light :) Sulling up and laying down and feeling sorry for herself in between, that's optional :)

[RedTahoe]

It is similar to a bosal, however it is steel wrapped in leather....

There are western bosals that are steel wrapped in leather; they're just not legal to show in.

[nappingonthejob]

No, not really, though I thought so too at first. I have seen them used by good horsemen with good results. I would definitely say that they are to be used with care and discretion and good horsemanship after being taught HOW and WHEN to use them.

Totally agree. Although to a certain extent they certainly CAN be "magic"...when used properly by good horsepeople ;)

It's definitely a good tool to put in the arsenal - they learn more than if twitched and it can be more gentle than repeatedly popping them with a stud chain. After teaching them what's it's all about (shaking it until you get a response and they back up, then pulling them forward to you) it usually only takes a little 'jingle' of the lead snap on the noseband for them to straighten up and pay attention.

[BEARCAT]

I think for me it would go into the "last resource" tool box, and so far, all the videos they are showing on TV are about green horses/first rides, etc. Not how I would start a relationship with a horse...
As mentionned, this thread was more about grossly over powering minis with a rider 1/2 their weight or more than about the tool itself. Poor display of horsemanship if you ask me.

[koellingmules]

It always makes me sad to hear bad things about the Noavel. I love it and try not to use anything else. When I sell a horse or mule we have raised and trained in a Noavel, I will teach it to carry a bit and to respond to its cues in the same calm way it does in the Noavel.

As noted in the prior threads, in the wrong hands this tool can be cruel. A snaffle bit can tear a mouth up used wrong.

Just for clarification, I am not a dealer of the Noavel. I am in no way associated with Rick Wheat in any shape or form. I just use it and like it.

In regard to its composition, Rick explained to me that the metal nose piece is not just a regular metal rod. He said that the rod has been twisted and bent during manufacture to work on the nose nerves. The headstall also has to be adjusted properly on the animal to work its best.

I have purchased most of the available sizes. We halter break our colts and calves (yes cows) very easily and calmly. No running backwards and flipping over, etc. Within 10 minutes of gentle use (20 minutes for mule foals), they are happily walking beside you and even trotting along nicely. They are not bleeding anywhere nor do they have any other marks on them. They give their heads around to each side, turn around when asked and even back up.

I absolutely love using a Noavel on mules. I live and breath mules and donkeys. Mules cannot stand pain. That is why they will lock up and not move or leave in haste. The Noavel is the only tool I have found to safely break a brace in a mule's neck when the mule has been frightened and is trying leave on a trail. Being unable to stop a runaway mule in the rocky mountains of Colorado is a scary moment I can tell you. This happened to me once before I learned about the Noavel.

Things have gotten "western" on me a few times on trail rides in the backcountry. A one rein stop and a Noavel saved my bacon to the amazement of my friends who don't use the Noavel.

Our animals travel down the trail or anywhere in any gait with a level head carriage in a Noavel, even my nervous fox trotter. I have found through experience that our horses/mules appeared to be calmer and more confident while wearing the Noavel as compared to a bit. When I use a bit, I use Mylar or Harshaw bits exclusively. These are not cheap bits!!

It's hard to verbalize exactly how to use it correctly and/or why I like it so much. As a side note, we use the Noavel exclusively when we hand breed mares with our 2 stallions and 2 jacks. No chains, whips or anything else is used to control the studs.

I apologize for the long post. I get windy when I talk about the Noavel. I'm sure this will likely start some interesting pros and cons.

[oldpony66]

I'll jump in with some praise for the Noavel (or however you spell it)

We had bought a 7 year old gelding that had only been on a trailer once and was not terrified of the trailer but quite adamant about not going on. Otherwise he was a very nice boy. But loading, he would either get close to the trailer, get two feet, sometimes all four feet on... and then whoosh! Straight back very fast and sometimes throw a nice little hi-ho Silver rear in there.

A neighbor loaded him by brute force. Literally pulled him on the trailer. At 5'4" I could not do that. Nor did I want to do that.

Normal tactics (tapping, ropes, trying to feed treats) were not working and mostly just adding to his anxitey.

My farrier gave me Rick Wheat's number and I got the headstall. Worked on the ground with it just so our boy would know this thing had a bump to it that *HE* could control. It completely put a stop to his rushing backward and rearing. We used it for trailer loading for a while, and eventually just let it hang in the trailer for "just in case".

I did try riding in it, but didn't like it. I know some people do, I just didn't feel like I had enough directional control.

Almost any piece of equipment can be used properly or improperly.

[thewildcaboy]

My farrier used the Noavel on a horse I had and after a couple bumps she stood still without being held or tied up. Same horse also had trailer loading issues and after a little work with the Noavel you could just walk her up to a slant load trailer and she would bail right in.

[Woodland]

Wow - Holy mother of parking lot training videos! :eek:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dVADfSKXxBA

[Nootka]

Wow - Holy mother of parking lot training videos! :eek:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dVADfSKXxBA

ALLLLLrighty then.... WTF? A parking lot? for real? Glad to see he didn't do a bunch of slipping. WOW

[trubandloki]

I know nothing about this training tool/gadget.

I just found the trailer loading bit on this video interesting.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RjDO55M8FeE


I watched with out sound so maybe it is addressed there.
Am I truly supposed to be impressed that some piece of tack made the horse go into the wide open stock trailer versus the horse not being willing to step up into the half open tiny/low roof trailer?
Talk about comparing apples to oranges.

[ChocoMare]

Oy, Ralph Casey... say no more. :rolleyes:

Head * Desk

[alibi_18]

Wow - Holy mother of parking lot training videos! :eek:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dVADfSKXxBA

This ^^^ + WTH!!!:eek:

Another majikal tool...

Too bad it doesn't fix idiots...

[*Liz*]

I've used one. I didn't care for it. I definitely preferred leading with it than riding with it. That sucker is VERY heavy, backs the horse off too much for my preference. I want my horse to move up into the bridle, no suck back away from it.

[MarcoPolo]

I met Rick Wheat at Blackwater, FL about 9 years ago; he was demonstrating the Noavel. I took my horse in to the round pen, the horse would never back up. After less than a minute with the Noavel, my horse backed up. I bought the headstall right there and then and rode him in it from then on. It is a brilliant device, and not a bosel. The Noavel has a CHIN BAR which is one of the keys to the success of this device. We trimmed my new 2 year old a couple of days ago, for the first time. This was a rescued horse with minimal handling. We were able to trim him without any drugs (neither the horse, nor us!). The NOAVEL WORKS, very well. My farrier Kenny used it on an unruly stud up in KY, and it was the only headstall that worked, to trim the horse. There is no cruelty. I have seen many a trainer or amateur yank on a horse with a chain, yet we don't criticize them. People are scared of change, and ignorant to the unknown. Rick's device is a lifesaver.;)

[gaitedincali]

^ New poster's very first post is on an old buried thread they dug up just to promote a product.

That's not suspicious at all.

[threemagicalmares]

Normal tactics (tapping, ropes, trying to feed treats) were not working and mostly just adding to his anxitey.

Those are NOT normal tactics for the proper, tactful way of loading a horse. That's why they don't work and only add to the horse's anxiety.

The Noavel headstall is NOT a tool that any competent, skilled horseman would use. It is nothing but a quick-fix gimmick that uses aggression as a training trick. A diplomatic horseman uses civil techniques to approach the horse as a partner, and does not need to resort to pain to get the horse's respect.:confused:

[oldpony66]

Those are NOT normal tactics for the proper, tactful way of loading a horse. That's why they don't work and only add to the horse's anxiety.

The Noavel headstall is NOT a tool that any competent, skilled horseman would use. It is nothing but a quick-fix gimmick that uses aggression as a training trick. A diplomatic horseman uses civil techniques to approach the horse as a partner, and does not need to resort to pain to get the horse's respect.:confused:

Um, I would call them very normal tactics. 'Normal' = conforming to the standard, common, not unusual. How is tapping a horse's butt not tactful? It's a message to move forward. What is your message to move forward? I didn't say I was beating my horse, I would not do that. Tapping, as in repetitive light touches.
My horse happened to learn quite quickly about NOT flying backward using the Noavel headstall. It's really the only thing I"ve ever used it for, now it is hanging all moldy somewhere in the tack room. My horse loads quite magically now. Every tool can be used FOR or AGAINST the horse.

[enjoytheride]

Lord have mercy that is the worst video I have seen in a long time.

Second, isn't that just a good ol steel quick stop?

Third, my barn got in a 4yo stud horse that had not been out of a stall since it was a yearling, did not know how to lead or tie, and had feet the size of dinner platters. Horse stood for the farrier in 2 weeks with gentle handling, a plain halter, and a lead rope looped to pick up the back feet the first time. This was after we taught that poor poor animal that leaving his stall would not kill him.

Got him gelded, started, and he's doing 4H now.

[Bluey]

40 years ago, at the race track, we had an "iron noseband stallion halter", that was a bit more squarish looking than this oval one, but similar and was supposed to be used on the rankest of horses:

http://www.dressageextensions.com/ProductDetail.asp?KEY=2245

I saw them hanging in most every tack room, we have one, but have never used one or seen it in use.

I wonder if this iron nose bridle is made after those old iron nose halters?:confused:

[7HL]

Even a web halter and snaffle bit can be a bad idea with the wrong person and/or the wrong horse.