Step-by-Step Directions for Making a Rope Halter

Rope halters are a practical and effective means to control your horse. They are made of double-braided nylon or polyester ropes. The most important thing is to make proper knots that will be able to retain the animal, without its head slipping out of it. As you pull on it, the knots apply pressure on the animal's head. The length of the rope and the distance between the knots is determined by the size of the horse and its head.

Things You'll Need

  • Measuring tape
  • 21-foot length of rope
  • Lighter
  • Knife
  • Pattern for an overhand knot
Show More

Instructions

    • 1

      Take a measuring tape and measure the distance around the horse's nose just under the cheek bone. Subtract an inch or two from that number and you will get the number of feet that you need for your rope.

    • 2

      Take a lighter and burn the edges of the rope to prevent them from unraveling.

    • 3

      Take one end of the rope and tie an overhand knot---this will be the right ear knot. Make another overhand knot at a distance of either 7, 8, 9 or 16 inches, depending on the length of your horse's head. This will be the right nose knot.

    • 4

      Tie another overhand knot at a distance of 8 to 12 inches from the right nose knot. The distance between the knots is determined by the size of the horse's head. This knot is the left nose knot. The next overhand knot you will make is the throat latch knot. The distance from the previous knot will vary in accordance to the size of the horse. The range is from 29 to 37 inches.

    • 5

      Make a 4-inch loop with the rope and tie an overhand knot.

    • 6

      Make a double overhand knot on the unknotted side of the rope. Tie into the left nose knot. The distance from this knot to the loop, which is 8 to 12 inches, is again determined by the horse's size.

    • 7

      Determine the distance between the left and right nose knots and tie into the right nose knot. The distance again ranges from 8 to 12 inches. Join the throat latch and the right nose knot in a double overhand knot. It should be the same distance from the throat latch to the left and right nose knots.

    • 8

      Make a loop in the part of the rope where the throat latch attaches to the left and to the right nose knots. Join the ropes and tie an overhand knot at the bottom. The loops should be 5 inches long. Cut off the remaining rope and melt the edges with a lighter.