The halter should have a wide surface on the neck and be in good quality and you should always close all the buckles, so the throat snap doesn’t hurt the horse in the eye when they shake their head.
The ties themselves should consist of a non-elastic material without a flexible, elasticated tie up, so as not to create an unpleasant bungy effect when the horse puts pressure on the tie-ups.
Some horses push on with a lot of power when in flight mode. If the crossties do not release at the right pressure, the horse may experience such resistance that it loses its balance. Horses have accidentally broken their necks in this way, crushed their withers, pelvises, injured their hamstrings (semitendinosus, biceps femoris) etc.
The crossties should also have quick-release at the outer end of the eyebolt, which, under the right pressure, have the ability to release if the horse pulls back or struggles in emergencies.
If you see someone using an old-fashioned methods, like baling-twine on the outer end of a stablechain, chain with plastic tubing, rubber rope – be aware that a very dangerous force is generated by the tie-up when it releases.
If you see someone using an old-fashioned baling-twine directly tied to the halter, please make sure it’s removed, so the loop doesn´t get caught in other items which could break the horses necks or jaws.