How to Make a Cowboy Halter

A cowboy halter combines a lead rope and a halter. It is almost always made of rope. This halter is ideal for trail riders and others wanting a versatile halter. You can tie up a horse with it and then knot the rope to the saddle horn for safety during a trail ride. Anything a regular halter and lead does, can also be done with a cowboy halter. A cowboy halter costs little to make and can be customized to the horse.

Things You'll Need

  • Rope
  • Scissors
  • Glue (optional)
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Instructions

    • 1

      Cut an 18-foot length of soft, thick, flexible rope. Test the rope by tying a simple overhand knot. The knot should lie flat.

    • 2

      Fold about a third of the length of the rope, and bring the folded end about 5 inches toward loose ends. Push the folded end under and then through the loop. Pull it tight.

    • 3

      Tie a knot, using the same technique, about 5 inches from the knot on both sides. Do not pull tight.

    • 4

      Slide the rope on the left through the knot on the right and pull the rope coming from the right knot through the loosened knot on the left. Pull on the ropes to tighten the knots.

    • 5

      Run your hand 8 inches down the rope on the left. Tie a knot but do not pull it tight. Fold the end back and tie another loop about 3 inches above the first knot. Slide the loose end back through the first knot.

    • 6

      Loosen the first knot you made. Slide this end through the knot and pull back about 6 inches. Slide this strand under the piece next to it, create a loop and pull through. Repeat the loop and pull through. You can add a little super glue to make sure this knot stays.

    • 7

      Pull this strand over another 5 inches to meet the remainder of the other strand. Line the strands up. Loop and pull through. This forms the right check knot.

    • 8

      Tie a knot at the end of the strands. Cut any excess.

    • 9

      Cut a second length of rope about 7 to 10 feet long.

    • 10

      Slip one of the rope into the loop at the bottom of the nose band.

    • 11

      Wrap the rope around the loop twice. Bring the rope around one side through the loop and cross to form a figure eight. Keep the rope loose. From the back of the knot, slide one end through the right loop of the figure-eight and then down into the left loop. Wrap around. Slide it down through the figure-eight and the other strand. Pull it tight.