How to Make a Horse Halter Out of Cotton Rope

Being able to tie and make your own halters is useful and can save you money. You can make cotton rope halters using thin rope, lighter in weight and more comfortable for your horse than store-bought halters. Thinner ropes can also "bite" better than thicker ones, giving you more control if your horse should fight you. If your horse fights too much, however, consider using a thicker, cotton rope. Remember, never leave a halter on your horse when your horse is running loose.

Things You'll Need

  • 20 feet of cotton rope
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Instructions

    • 1

      Tie five simple knots along the length of the rope. Starting at one end of the rope, measure 30 inches down and tie the first knot (the right ear knot). Measure 9 inches past this knot (do not include the knot in the measurements) and tie the right nose knot. Measure 10 inches and tie the left nose knot. Measure 33 inches and tie the throat latch knot. Measure another 10 inches and tie a knot with a small loop in it. This loop is approximately at the middle of the rope.

    • 2

      Double-back the rope alongside the length with the knots. Measure 10 inches from the other side of the loop and tie the rope together at the left nose knot (doubling the rope), then tie it again at the right nose knot. This 10-inch stretch of rope is doubled.

    • 3

      Measure 33 inches of the untied portion, pull it back then tie it off at the throat latch knot (on the other side of the loop). Flip the rope halter around so that you have it roughly positioned as it will fit over a horse's face with the double-rope nose section in the middle and the right ear knot to the side. The loop will now be at the left ear position, and the throat latch, where the ropes join, will be underneath.

    • 4

      Gather the two lengths that measure 33 inches and tie a knot at the chin. Now try the halter on your horse.