How to Make Any Halter a Break Away

A halter is tack for leading livestock. It consists of one length of rope, nylon or leather wrapped around the nose of the animal, and another piece, called a crown piece, that runs from the nose length up around the animal's head behind its ears. A lead rope attaches to the halter below the nose length near the animal's chin. It's all but impossible for an animal to break free of a halter. As a result, a halter can pose a danger to an animal if an accident occurs. Halters that break away eliminate this danger. One way to make a breakaway halter involves making an insert.

Things You'll Need

  • Crown piece buckle
  • 1/16-inch thick leather strap
  • Industrial scissors
  • Hole punch
  • Nylon or leather string
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Instructions

    • 1

      Cut the leather to the same width as your crown piece strap, then cut it into an 8-inch length. Punch a hole 3 1/2 inches down the length of the strap. Weave the strap in one side of the buckle, over the tongue and down into the other side of the buckle. Insert the tongue of the buckle into the hole of the strap. The crown buckle has a groove that the tongue fits into once the leather strap is in place. Be sure to weave the strap through the buckle so the short end of the strap is on the groove side of the buckle.

    • 2

      Punch two holes on the short side of the strap, on the groove side of the buckle. Punch the holes 1/4-inch apart --- in the center of the strap --- working your way to the end of the strap. Thread a piece of nylon string or leather down one hole, across to the other hole and up. Tie the two ends of the string together with a square knot. Punch another 1/4 inch beyond those two holes.

    • 3

      Untie the knot in the string on your strap. Feed the crown piece strap of your halter through the buckle of your strap insert. Feed each end of the string on your strap through two of the eyelets on the crown strap and tie a square knot. Put the halter on the horse. Feed the long end of the strap into the buckle on the halter. Slide the tongue of the halter buckle into the hole on the insert strap.