How to Make a Rope Halter for Calves

A halter enables a person to lead a farm animal such as a calf. Training the calf for show typically involves leading the animal with a halter. A halter could also be useful when you are re-locating the animal to another location on the farm. You can make your own halter quickly as long as you use the right rope and tools.

Things You'll Need

  • Three-ply rope
  • Sharp knife
  • Three hog rings (pig-size)
  • Ring pliers
  • Friction or electrician's tape
  • Permanent marker
  • Stick
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Instructions

    • 1

      Cut a three-ply rope -- 1/4 to 5/16 inches in diameter -- with a sharp knife so it is 8 to 10 feet in length for a small calf. The Oregon State University Extension Service website recommends using a rope 3/8 to 7/16 inch in diameter and 10 to 12 feet in length for a calf that is up to 12 months old.

    • 2

      Position the hog ring in the ring pliers and use the pliers to clamp the ring onto one end of the rope.

    • 3

      Attach two hog rings at the other end of the rope.

    • 4

      Wrap tape around each end of the rope to prevent fraying.

    • 5

      Measure back from the two rings approximately 11 to 13 inches, depending on how young the calf is. Mark this area with a permanent marker.

    • 6

      Rotate the rope at the mark so the rope ply separates slightly. Twist it with your fingers to do this. Raise one strand with your fingers and insert a stick under it to hold it open.

    • 7

      Pull the end of the rope with the one nose ring through the opening. This forms the eye of the calf halter. Continue pulling the rope until the eye is no larger than one and one half times the rope diameter.

    • 8

      Rotate the end with two nose rings until you can separate the three strands of the rope.

    • 9

      Thread the rope end with one nose ring through the three loops made by twisting the rope. Do this one at a time in the direction of the two nose rings. This action forms the nose piece.

    • 10

      Pull the rope through until the end with one nose ring forms a three-foot loop. This section of the halter is called the stall.

    • 11

      Push the rope with one nose ring through the eye of the halter to make a chin strap for the calf. Your halter is ready to put on the calf.