How to Make an Adjustable Rope Halter

Adjustable rope halters are indispensable farm tools. According to Dennis Hartman, retired Extension Dairy Scientist, 4-H Virginia Tech, they̵7;re easy to make, inexpensive and practical. Rope halters are useful for leading and tying livestock of all sizes. If a rope halter is kept dry, clean and hung up properly when not in use, it should last for many seasons. Adjustable rope halters can be made without any knowledge of knot-tying. There are three separate components of each rope halter: the nosepiece loop, the halter loop, and the crown knot.

Things You'll Need

  • 13 feet of three-strand manila rope (3/8-inch for calves and small heifers, 1/2-inch for cows and large heifers)
  • Tape measure
  • Marker
  • Scissors, knife or sharp axe
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Instructions

  1. Nosepiece Loop

    • 1

      Measure and mark 6 inches of one end of the rope. Untwist the 6-inch length. Measure and mark 4 inches past the untwisted section.
      Fold the rope over the first finger of your left hand at this point. The untwisted section and long rope piece should face to your right.

    • 2

      Raise the strand on top of the long rope by twisting clockwise with your right thumb.
      Use your left thumb to press the center strand of untwisted rope under the raised strand away from yourself.

    • 3

      Raise the strand to the left of where the untwisted strand came out.
      Use your left thumb to press the top untwisted strand under it and away from yourself.

    • 4

      Turn the loop over and raise the remaining unused bottom strand.
      Use your left thumb to press the untwisted strand under it from the bottom side and away from yourself.

    • 5

      Pull all three untwisted pieces tight.
      Braid the remainder of untwisted rope into the twisted rope by going over one strand and under the next.
      Pull each untwisted strand tight after putting it under and strand.
      Cut off the short ends so the braid is smooth.

    Halter Loop

    • 6

      Measure and mark rope 16 inches from end of loop.
      Raise two strands at this mark and pass the nosepiece loop under them and away from yourself. Push the loop through far enough to make a loop about twice the size of the rope.

    • 7

      Raise two strands on top of the short rope close to the loop.
      Pass the long rope under the two strands away from yourself.

    • 8

      Pass the long rope through the nosepiece loop.
      Pass the long rope through the second loop to form the halter.

    Crown Knot

    • 9

      Measure and mark 6 inches from the end of the long rope.
      Unravel the strands on the end of the long rope to the 6-inch mark, ending with the center strand on the side away from you.
      Fold the center strand over toward you and hold the loop with your left thumb.

    • 10

      Fold the left strand over the center strand.
      Hold it with your left thumb.

    • 11

      Pull the right strand down with your right hand and hold it under the loose end of the left strand.
      Pass the end of the right strand through the eye of the first strand.

    • 12

      Pull all strands tight at one time to form the crown knot.
      Continue braiding the strands by going over the next strand and under the strand next to that and continue until all the ends are used up.
      Cut off the short ends.