How to Make Your Own Horse Beads

Horse beads, also called rhythm or speed beads, are useful for their ability to encourage horses to maintain a steady gait. The beads jingle with each step that the horse takes, making the horse aware of its pace and providing an aural training tool to both horse and rider. Horse beads are available for purchase from many retailers, but with a little time you can make your own and personalize them to suit your individual horse.

Things You'll Need

  • Tape measure
  • 40 to 50 inches of 4 mm leather cord
  • 3 to 6 bells
  • 30 to 50 beads
  • Alligator clip
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Instructions

    • 1

      Measure your horse’s neck from the withers, down to the base of the neck, and around back to the withers. Add 4 inches to this measurement so the beads will hang loosely.

    • 2

      Cut the leather cord to the length you measured in Step 1, including the extra 4 inches.

    • 3

      Align the two ends of the cord so the cord is in a loop, and find the midpoint of the cord. String your first bell onto the cord, and pull it down so it rests at the midpoint of the cord.

    • 4

      String beads onto the cord on either side of the bell. The beads act as spacers between the bells. Build up each side of the necklace evenly.

    • 5

      Add additional bells one at a time on each side of the necklace, stringing beads between them, until 2 inches remain on each side of the necklace.

    • 6

      Add an alligator clip to one side of the necklace by stringing the leather cord through the hole in one side of the clip. The clip should rest against the last bead that you added.

    • 7

      Tie a large knot in each side of the necklace so it presses gently against the beads. Approximately 1 1/2 inches of cord should remain on each side.