How to Make Rope Llama Halters

Making a rope halter for your llama can be a rewarding project. It also helps you ensure the perfect fit for your animal--something commercial halters make more difficult. The first time you make a rope halter, you may spend some time on it. With practice, though, the process becomes much quicker and easier. Experienced halter tiers can produce a simple halter in just a few minutes.

Things You'll Need

  • Tape measure or string and yardstick
  • braided nylon or polyester rope, 1/4-inch to 3/8-inch
  • Utility scissors or sharp knife
  • Lighter or matches
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Instructions

    • 1

      Determine halter size. Use a soft tape measure, such as the type used in sewing, to measure your llama's nose just below the cheekbone. You can also use a piece of string to take the measurement, then measure the string using a yardstick.

    • 2

      Cut the rope to length. Llamas require smaller halters than horses, and you may need only six or seven feet of rope. Experiment to find the ideal length. Use a lighter or matches to melt the ends of the rope and prevent fraying.

    • 3

      Tie an overhand knot approximately 28 inches from one end of the rope. This forms the right ear knot.

    • 4

      Create another overhand knot approximately seven inches down the rope from the first. This forms the right nose knot.

    • 5

      Tie the third overhand knot, the left nose knot, about seven to eight inches from the right nose knot.

    • 6

      Measure about 25- to 30 inches from the right nose knot. Tie an overhand knot in this location. This is the throat latch knot.

    • 7

      Measure about eight inches from the throat latch knot. Create a four-inch loop at this point, and tie it with an overhand knot. This forms the tie loop.

    • 8

      Pick up the unknotted side of the rope and tie it into the left nose knot, leaving about eight inches of rope between this point and the tie loop. A double overhand knot is a good choice for this step.

    • 9

      Hold the unknotted end of the rope and the knotted end parallel, allowing the just-formed loop to dangle. Use a double overhand knot to tie the unknotted rope into the right nose knot.

    • 10

      Use a double overhand knot to attach the throat latch to the right nose knot. Make sure the length of rope between these two knots matches the length between the throat latch knot and left nose knot.

    • 11

      Tie the unknotted end of the rope into the right ear knot, making sure that the rope between the right ear knot and the throat latch knot is about eight inches long.

    • 12

      Hold together the two long sections of the halter, located between the throat latch knot and nose knots. Tie an overhand knot in the bottom of these sections to create two loops about four inches long, but don't tighten it until you place the halter on your llama. These loops allow you to adjust the halter.

    • 13

      Trim off any excess rope so that the ends are the same length. Burn the tips of the rope ends to prevent fraying.

    • 14

      Place the halter on your llama and adjust it to fit. This may take several tries, but the end result is a comfortable homemade halter.