About Horse Training Halters

All halters are sometimes called "training halters" in tack shops and online pet supply stores. Halters are also called "head collars" in the United Kingdom and some parts of Europe. They are absolutely essential equipment to have for a horse or pony. The strength of a training halter is not in the halter itself, but the attitude of the trainer.

  1. History

    • Halters have been found on the oldest mummified horses discovered in Pazyryk, Siberia. The horses and tack are thought to have been interred in burial around 3000 B.C.E. Haltered horses are depicted in ancient art and modern horse sports. It is thought that the halter was invented before the bit and bridle, but this has never been proven for sure.

    Features

    • Halters are a combination of a small harness around the horse's head plus a means by which tie or lead ropes can be attached. Most modern halters hang behind the horse's ears, buckle behind the cheek and hang around the nose. The halters have metal rings to which you can clip lead ropes or tie a rope. Halters do not include bits to put inside of the horse's mouth. Those are bridles.

    Types

    • Halters are made of just about any material that you can imagine, from twisted, dried grasses to man-made leather. The most commonly sold training halter today is made of nylon. Show halters are loaded with decorations and usually lack a cheek strap to show off the horse's head and neck. Stud halters include a chain to be placed around the horse's nose to gain more control over a fractious equine. Foal halters are tiny, lightweight halters only meant for small foal heads.

    Warning

    • Do not ride a horse in a halter with two lead ropes clipped on to act as reins. You will not have much control over the horse. You also need to check the halter every day for wear and tear, as a halterless horse can't be controlled and can be injured.

    Expert Insight

    • If a halter is too loose, it will come off. If it's too tight, it can injure the horse. There is a general rule when determining if a halter fits a horse. If you can fit four fingers from the bottom of the horse's head (in between the cheekbones) to the bottom of the halter, then it fits. This rule can be changed if you are an adult man haltering a Shetland pony, for example. Only two fingers would be necessary. The halter shouldn't slip off when the horse shakes his head or bite into his skin.