How to Make Rope Headstalls

Headstalls form part of a horse's bridle or halter. They run from the bit or noseband up over the horse's head, behind its ears, to the bit or noseband on the other side, and are designed to keep the head gear firmly in place. On a bridle, a headstall is normally made from leather or rawhide; on a halter, from canvas or nylon webbing. On a rope halter, the headstall is formed from a continuous length of rope knotted to fit the horse's head. Rope makes a good temporary headstall to replace a broken bridle strap in an emergency. If you're making a headstall for more frequent use, choose a soft rope like cotton that won't rub against the horse.

Things You'll Need

Tape measure
Three-strand cotton or nylon rope
Knife
Table
Electrical tape or thread
Two clips

Instructions

- 1
  Measure the length of the broken strap, or the length of the headstall. For a halter headstall, measure from the near side of the noseband, up over the horse's head behind its ears, to the far side of the noseband. For a bridle headstall, measure from the top of the near-side bit ring, over the head, to the top of the far-side bit ring.
- 2
  Measure the rope to the required length, and add another 6 inches at either end. Cut the rope to size. Use the tip of the knife to unravel the strands of the rope to a distance of 6 inches at either end. Lay the rope flat on a table, and place a clip at one end.
- 3
  Pass one strand of rope through the clip from left to right, and the other two strands from right to left. Begin tucking the strands under the main body of the rope in a "one over, one under" pattern. When you reach the end of the strands, wrap some electrical tape or thread around the join for added security.
- 4
  Check the measurement again and trim off some length if required; repeat the process to add the other clip. Fit the headstall to the halter or bridle, making sure that the clips face away from the horse's skin so they don't pinch.