How to Attach a Nameplate to a Halter

Affixing a nameplate to your horse̵7;s halter not only labels the halter, it also eliminates potential mix-ups. Many halters look identical, and attaching a nameplate to yours is a surefire method to distinguish it from others. The nameplate will serve the same function as a tag on a dog collar, making your horse easy for an unfamiliar person to identify. Halters are typically made of leather or nylon, and nameplates can be affixed to both types using the same method.

Things You'll Need

  • Nameplate
  • 2 Escutcheon pins
  • 2 Copper burrs
  • Stitching awl (with a straight shaft)
  • Ballpeen hammer
  • Masking tape
  • Heavy duty wire cutters
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Instructions

    • 1

      Lay the halter down on a flat, hard surface (such as an anvil, table or workbench). If you do not want to damage the surface, put down a flat piece of metal, hardwood or other unyielding material that will prevent the surface from being pierced.

    • 2

      Position the nameplate in the center of the cheek piece of the halter. The check piece is the strap on the halter that rests on the side of the horse̵7;s face. Since horses are traditionally led on their left sides, the left cheek piece is the best place for a nameplate.

    • 3

      Insert a straight shafted stitching awl through the attachment hole on one side of the nameplate and press down firmly. You must insert the awl straight down into the halter and pierce the surface of the cheek piece in the precise location where the hardware to affix the nameplate to the halter needs to go. This will serve as a mark to identify where the hole needs to be made.

    • 4

      Repeat Step 3 using the attachment hole on the other side of the nameplate.

    • 5

      Remove the nameplate from the halter and set it aside.

    • 6

      Place the tip of the awl straight into one of the previously marked holes.

    • 7

      Hold the awl straight and lightly tap the center of the top of the handle of the awl with a hammer until it has fully pierced both sides of the cheek piece.

    • 8

      Repeat Steps 6 and 7 to pierce a hole through the halter in the other marked spot.

    • 9

      Position the nameplate on the halter so the name plate̵7;s attachment holes line up perfectly with the holes in the halter.

    • 10

      Hammer the escutcheon pins through the holes in the nameplate and halter. The pins must be hammered in straight.

    • 11

      Cover the entire plate and the heads of the escutcheon pins with masking tape.

    • 12

      Flip the cheek piece over so the pointed shanks of the escutcheon pins are pointing upwards.

    • 13

      Place the copper burrs over the shafts of the escutcheon pins and press them down until they are flush with the halter.

    • 14

      Place a piece of masking tape over the shafts of the escutcheon pins. Pierce the tape with the tip of the pin and press it down until it is affixed to the halter and covers the copper burrs. This will prevent the copper burrs from moving.

    • 15

      Cut off the shafts of the escutcheon pins using a pair of heavy-duty wire cutters. Cut them as close to the copper burrs as possible.

    • 16

      Hold the halter down firmly and use the crowned (rounded) end of a ball-peen hammer to hammer the bases of the escutcheon pins down over the burrs. Continue hammering until the bases of the pins are completely flattened and smooth.

    • 17

      Remove the tape from the halter.