Rope Halter Training

A rope halter is an effective training aid when used correctly. Its lightweight material and its design allow more direct communication with your horse. If you are unfamiliar with the basic "dos and don'ts" of rope halters, ask a professional trainer or experienced horse person to help you. Rope halters are appropriate for all disciplines, and are in most retail and online tack shops.

  1. Description

    • The knots on a rope halter create pressure points on your horse.

      A properly made rope halter has knots that carefully create "pressure points." Many halters have two knots in the noseband, but some have four. The more knots, the more pressure your horse feels, so you need to learn what your horse feels in response to your action. Some rope halters come with a lead rope attached. You can attach a conventional lead rope with a metal snap, but some trainers prefer a lighter-weight snap with a rope halter.

    Function

    • Many trainers reach for the rope halter when it's time to start training young horses.

      The main function of a rope halter is to communicate to your horse: getting his attention and teaching him to appropriately respond to pressure. For many trainers it is the first training tool they use, long before placing a saddle on the horse's back. Used properly, it establishes the handler as dominant without excessive force, which is important for good horsemanship and for safety.

    Putting on the Rope Halter

    • Horse halters can be adjusted to fit your horse.

      You fasten the rope halter by making a knot in the throat latch behind the cheek bone. Any other placement is ineffective and can be dangerous. For example, trainer Laura Whitfield warns that if you tie the knot so that it doubles back on the crown piece, the knot can tighten if the horse panics and you may have to cut it off. The natural movement of the horse will loosen the halter slightly so that it is comfortable but not less effective. Rope halters are easy to adjust to each horse, and some also allow you to adjust the pre-made knots on the noseband for a custom fit.

    Benefits

    • A rope halter is less harsh than a stud chain.

      Unlike a stud chain or whip, the rope halter is a gentle but effective tool for both training and correction. You can use it on any horse to gain his attention, disengage the hindquarters, back up, flex, bend at the poll, step underneath in the hind, move the shoulders around, and to move laterally. Trainer Odessa Johnson advises that the proper length and weight of the lead rope is also key. She prefers an 11 to 12 foot length, giving both you and your horse plenty of room. Some lead rope and halter combinations have a leather "popper" on the end. A professional trainer should show you when to use it appropriately.

    Considerations

    • Anyone can use a rope halter once they understand the basics.

      If you seek advice from a professional or experienced horse person, you can feel comfortable about using a rope halter. It can take practice, but most horses will still learn the basics as long as you and your horse are otherwise a good match.

    Warning

    • Your horse should already know how to respond to pressure before being tied.

      Not all trainers agree that tying a horse with a rope halter is appropriate. Both Johnson and Whitfield say that it is useful in teaching young horses to tie, but that your horse should already have had the necessary ground work and learned to respond appropriately to pressure. That way when he feels pressure while tied, he will not fight it.