How to Make a Double Rope Halter

A halter is the harness that fits around a horse's head. The rider can attach a lead line or set of reigns to the halter to control the horse by directing its head movements. A halter can be made by tying a series of double overhand knots in a high-quality nylon or polyester rope. These ropes provide a flexible and durable halter that is cheap and quick to make. The ropes are light and comfortable for the horse and can be easily replaced.

Things You'll Need

  • Cloth measuring tape or string
  • Rope
  • Knife or scissors
  • Lighter or matches
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Instructions

    • 1

      Practice tying an overhand knot on a spare piece of rope. The overhand knot is the standard first knot when tying your shoes. Cross the ends of the rope and twist one end through the loop. Pull tight to form the overhand knot.

    • 2

      Practice tying the double overhand knot using two spare pieces of rope. Tie a loose overhand knot in one piece of rope. With the other rope, loop the end along the same path as the knotted rope, guiding it through the existing knot. Pull the knot tight.

    • 3

      Measure the horse's nose below the cheekbone. Use a cloth measuring tape or mark a piece of string. Do not ever use a metal measuring tape directly on an animal.

    • 4

      Determine the size category of your horse based on its nose measurement. Small horses are 20 inches, medium horses are 22 inches, large horses are 24 inches, extra large horses are 26 inches, and the largest horses are 28 inches.

    • 5

      Purchase a length of rope based on the size of your horse. Small horses require 18 feet, medium horses require 20 feet, large horses require 22 feet, extra large horses require 24 feet and larger horses can require up to 28 feet of rope. The rope should have at least a 2000-psi test rating, though material will depend on personal preference and budget.

    • 6

      Melt the ends of the rope with a lighter or matches to prevent unraveling over time.

    • 7

      Tie an overhand knot in the rope 28, 30, 32, 34 or 36 inches from the left end depending on the size of your horse. This knot is the right ear knot.

    • 8

      Tie an overhand knot in the rope 7, 8, 9, 10 or 16 inches from the right ear knot. This is the right nose knot.

    • 9

      Tie an overhand knot in the rope 8, 9, 10, 11 or 12 inches from the right nose knot. This is the left nose knot.

    • 10

      Tie an overhand knot in the rope 29, 31, 33, 35 or 37 inches from the left nose knot. This is the throat latch knot.

    • 11

      Measure and fold the rope 12, 13, 14, 15 or 17 inches from the throat latch knot. Using the doubled rope, tie an overhand knot four inches from the fold.

    • 12

      Work the free end back through the left nose knot, keeping 8, 9, 10, 11 or 12 inches of space. Use the double overhand knot.

    • 13

      Work the rope through the right nose knot using the double overhand knot and match the distance from the left nose knot.

    • 14

      Work the rope through the throat latch knot. The distance from the right nose knot to the throat latch knot should match the distance from the throat latch knot to the left nose knot.

    • 15

      Work the rope through the right ear knot with 8, 9, 10, 11 or 12 inches of space between the knots.

    • 16

      Place the halter on the horse. The two ropes between the nose knots fit over the nose of the horse. The throat latch knot should be located on the underside of the horse's throat.

    • 17

      Gather the two longer sections between the throat latch knot and both nose knots under the horse's head. Fold the ropes together in the middle and tie an overhand knot 4 inches from the folding point. This loop will act as the anchor for the lead rope and is the final adjustment knot.

    • 18

      Pull the two free rope ends across the back of the horse's head and pass them through the loop extending from the throat latch knot. Holding the rope ends under the loop, swing the ends behind the loop and pull through between the loop and ropes. Pull tight to finish the halter.