How to Make a Nylon Web Horse Halter

Halters are a type of horse headgear. They allow a handler to attach a lead rope to the horse to control it whilst being led. Halters are also vital for tying a horse up for grooming or traveling. Nylon web halters are strong, long-lasting and comfortable for the horse, but require a little sewing and assembly to put together. Try personalizing the finished halter by stitching your horse's name across the nose band or adding a decoration like sequins -- just make sure that any decorations will not rub your horse's skin. Nylon webbing and buckles are available from online retailers or saddlers.

Things You'll Need

  • Tape measure
  • Table
  • Matches
  • 1 1/2-inch wide nylon webbing
  • Scissors
  • Pins
  • 3 round rings
  • 2 square rings
  • Buckle
  • Industrial sewing machine
  • Strong thread
  • Skewer
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Instructions

    • 1

      Measure your horse. The finished halter will be adjustable but should not be made so large that it slips or so tight that it rubs. Ideally measure an existing bridle or halter for a good fit, otherwise measure your horse's head. Measure around your horse's nose 4 inches above the nostrils, then measure from this point over the top of its head, behind the ears, and to the other side.

    • 2

      Cut a length of webbing around 18 inches long, and seal the ends with a lit match. Pass each end through a square ring, and position the rings so that they are around 9 inches apart. Fold the webbing over on itself with a slight overlap at the ends so that you end up with a double thickness strap with a ring at each end. Pin in place.

    • 3

      Cut two more pieces of webbing around 10 inches long and seal the ends. Take the first strap and wrap one end around the other side of a square ring and the other end around a round ring. Fold over and pin into place. Repeat with the other strap, attaching it to the other side of the other square ring, and the other side of the same round ring to create a loop.

      Measure the loop. It should be same size as the measurement of your horse's nose plus 4 inches. Adjust the length if necessary by overlapping the ends of the straps more, then stitch it all into place with a double row of stitching.

    • 4

      Place the nose band loop on the table so that the round ring is at the back. Cut two pieces of webbing, each around 13 inches long. Pass the first strap through the top edge of the square ring, then through a round ring. The two rings should end up about 6 inches apart. Bend the strap round so that it overlaps itself and stitch into place. Repeat for the other side.

    • 5

      Cut two pieces of webbing, one around 4 feet long and the other 12 inches long. Seal the ends. Pass the long piece through the offside square ring. Pull both ends level, and stitch into place. Cut a 12-inch long piece of webbing and seal the ends. Pass it through the nearside square ring, and pull the ends through so that one is 2 inches longer than the other. Heat a skewer using a lit match, and push it through the middle of long end of the webbing at the point where it meets the shorter end. Put the prong of the buckle through the resultant hole and wrap the end of the long strap over the shorter strap. Stitch into place. The total length of the head stall (long strap plus buckle strap) should be at least 6 inches longer than the measurement over your horse's head.

    • 6

      Finish the halter. Take a single thickness of webbing and attach it to the offside round ring by bending it through and stitching it into place. Allow about 12 inches in length before attaching it to the nearside ring in the same way. This strap will fit under your horse's throat to keep the halter in place. Finish off by running a single thickness strap from the round ring of the nose band to the throat strap. Using a heated skewer, poke holes through the head stall strap to allow the buckle to be fastened. Clip a lead rope to the round ring of at the back of the nose band to allow you to lead your horse.