How to Make Rope Halters for Small Horses

A horse owner can never have too many halters. Unfortunately, buying commercially available halters can be very expensive. Homemade rope halters were probably the first kinds of halters used on horses and are still used in many areas of the world. They are inexpensive and tough.

Things You'll Need

  • 18 feet of nylon rope for one small horse
  • Razor blade or X-acto knife
  • Lighter or matches
  • Book about knot making (optional)
  • String for measuring horse's head (optional)
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Instructions

  1. On the Rope Again

    • 1

      Melt the ends of the rope with a lighter or match to prevent the rope from unraveling.

    • 2

      Bend the rope in half to make a nose loop. On one half, tie four overhand knots, the first 28 inches from the end of the rope; the second 7 inches from the first knot; the third 8 inches from the second; and the fourth 29 inches from the third.

    • 3

      Make the lead rope knot eight inches from the fourth overhand knot. Leave a loop of 4 inches so a lead rope can be clipped onto it. Hold the loop and then make another overhand knot.

    • 4

      Tie a double overhand knot 8 inches from the loop knot. . Swing the rope under it (to the immediate left of the first knot) over to the fourth knot you made. Tie this with another double overhand knot.

    • 5

      Move the rope around so that it resembles a conventional halter. Match it up with a ready-made halter if necessary. Place on the horse and mark if anything needs to be trimmed.

    • 6

      Put the rope halter back on the horse, and where the two long loops hang down under the horse's chin groove, mark the place. Remove the halter, tie the final overhand knot and place back onto your horse.