1Jan

Make A Rope Halter

Items you will need

You can purchase a rope or nylon sheep halter, or you can make one yourself. Clemson University Extension recommends using a rope that's a minimum of 10 feet long and three-eighths-inch or a half-inch in diameter. Make two loops for the nose piece, at a length of 7 inches. Sew or otherwise firmly fasten the two spots where the ropes touch. Many horse owners find that a rope halter with fiador knot is more desirable than other traditional knots. This step by step tutorial to tying a fiador knot in order to make a rope halter should aid both the advanced and novice Ferrier.

  • 12 feet 1/4 inch or 3/8 inch double-braided nylon or polyester rope, strength of 2,000 lb. per square inch

  • Soft measuring tape

  • Scissors

  • Lighter

Making a rope halter for a mini horse will be a bit tricky on the first attempt. However, once you get the hang of it you should be able to put together the halter in less than half an hour. Rope halters are inexpensive and durable, according to the Pony Club Victoria.

A rope halter consists of a series of knots. Each knot hits a particular pressure point on the horse's head. When the horse acts up and tries to pull away, it forces the knots to hit his pressure points. This is uncomfortable, teaching the horse to correct his behavior.

Measure 26 inches from the end of the rope. This is where you will make the first knot, which will sit below the mini's right ear. When you have found this point tie a simple knot, just like you are tying shoelaces. However, do not tighten the knot fully yet, as it is likely that you will want to make some adjustments when you have finished the halter and tried it on your mini.

Measure 6 inches from your first knot and tie another simple knot. This knot is for the right side of the nose.

Measure 7 inches and then tie your next knot. This is for the knot that sits on the left side of your miniature horse's nose. The space between this knot and the right side nose knot is the section of rope that sits over the mini's nose.

Measure 27 inches and tie one more simple knot, creating the throat-latch knot.

Measure 7 inches. This next knot is the tie loop. Hold both sides of the rope together to create a loop. Then wrap the the rope at the 7-inch point over the two sections of rope and then under the itself in an overhand knot. Your loop should be 4 inches long. When the rope halter is complete this loop will sit under the horse's left ear.

Measure 7 inches along the unused section of rope and then tie a double-overhand knot. To tie a double overhand knot snake the rope through the loose end of the existing knot (you may have to loosen it to open up adequate space). Wrap the rope over the knot so it sits into the dent in the knot and put it through again. Tighten just enough to know that you have succeed in making this knot.

Bring the rope to the right nose knot and tie another double-overhand knot there. The two sections of rope sitting between the left and right nose knots should be the same length. Use your measuring tape to ensure that the distance between the throat-latch knot and the left nose knot are equal to the distance between the throat-latch knot and the right nose knot. You should now be able to tell that your ropes and knots look like a halter.

Measure 27 inches from the right nose knot and bring this point to the throat-latch knot. Using the double overhand knot, tie the rope into the throat-latch knot.

Tie a double-overhand knot into the right ear knot. The distance between this knot and the throat-latch knot should be the same as the distance between the throat-latch knot and the tie loop.

Take the two long sections of rope that come out from the throat-latch knot and go up to the noseband knots, holding them together. Create a 4-inch loop at the bottom and tie an overhand knot loosely. This loop should sit under your mini horse's chin where the lead rope is attached.

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Cut any frayed strands from the ends of the rope and use the lighter to melt the ends.

Put the rope halter on your mini horse. Make any adjustments needed for a better fit by moving around the relevant knot. When you are happy with the fit, tighten up all of your knots.

Tips

  • You can buy the rope for your halter at your local hardware store.

Warnings

  • Learn the correct way to use a rope halter on your horse before trying this type of training. Horses--even miniature ones--can be dangerous, so take the necessary safety precautions when working with them.

References (1)

Author

Siobhan Russell has been freelance writing for the Internet since 2003. She has written articles covering a variety of subjects for Travelwand, Yellow Pages and eHow. Siobhan has a particular interest in writing travel and equestrian articles. She has a BA Honors in History and Philosophy from National University Ireland, Maynooth.

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Items you will need

  • Tape measure

  • 1/2-inch poly rope (approximately 7 feet)

  • Utility scissors

  • Hog rings

  • Pliers

  • 1/2-inch metal rope clips

Tips

  • Poly rope is available in a range of colors and thicknesses at both online and brick-and-mortar tack, leather and livestock supply stores.

    This rope halter design allows you to adjust it to fit most adult goats and includes a 4- to 5-foot-long lead rope for easier handling.

Although you can lead most goats easily with a simple collar, those goats with more stubborn natures may need a halter in place before they’ll follow you. According to Gail Damerow, author of “Your Goats,” a halter provides an ideal way for you to control and guide your goat’s direction and speed. Halters work particularly well when you’re training young pack goats to carry supplies.

Measure the bridge of your goat’s nose. Position the end of the tape measure on one side of the goat’s face, midway between the goat’s ear and the corner of its mouth. Extend the tape measure across the bridge of your goat’s nose to the same spot on the other side of its face. Add 5 inches to this measurement and cut a length of poly rope that equals this amount to serve as the halter nose piece. For example, if your goat’s nose measurement is 6 inches, then you’ll want to cut a length of poly rope that is 11 inches long.

Cut an additional length of poly rope that measures 5 to 6 feet long to serve as the lead rope. Slide a hog ring onto each end of both lengths of poly rope and tighten them into place with a pair of pliers to keep the rope ends from unraveling. Locate the hog rings within ½ inch of the rope ends.

Double 2 1/2 inches of one end of the poly rope nose piece back on itself to create a small open loop. Secure the loop in place with a ½-inch metal rope clip, leaving enough room to create a 1-inch loop. Squeeze the rope clip with the pincers on a pair of pliers until it closes completely around the rope. Repeat this entire process on the other side of the halter nose piece.

Thread one end of the rope lead through one of the nose piece loops. Wrap the rope lead end back on itself and secure it in place with another ½-inch metal rope clip. This point marks the beginning of the circle you’ll create with the rope lead to encircle your goat’s head with the halter. Thread the other end of the rope lead through the loop on the opposite side of the nose lead to create the neck strap for your goat halter.

Bring the end of the rope lead around to the first nose piece again to finish the circle shape. This section of the rope lead goes over the back of your goat’s head, behind its ears. Thread the lead rope through the first loop on the nose piece. Adjust the size of the halter at this location to allow it to fit your goat exactly. Loosen the halter at this location to put the halter on and to take the halter off.

References (1)

  • “Your Goats”; Gail Damerow; 1993

Photo Credits

  • a goat image by Stasys Eidiejus from Fotolia.com
Halter

Author

Regan Hennessy has been writing professionally for 11 years. A copywriter and certified teacher, Hennessy specializes in the areas of parenting, health, education, agriculture and personal finance. Pepsiman emulator. She has produced content for various websites and graduated from Lycoming College with a Bachelor of Arts in English.

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