Directions for Making Rope Halters

DIY rope halters are a fun project for any equestrian. According to the Pony Club of Victoria, rope halters are becoming popular because of the wide range of colors and types of material available, plus the fact that rope halters have no breakable hardware.

  1. Function

    • Smooth nylon rope is less likely to "burn" your hands if the horse pulls.

      Rope halters are used as training aids for green (inexperienced) horses, young horses and horses that display some behavioral problems. Rope halters are used to convey messages from a handler to a horse, so they must be made of a durable material.

    Materials

    • In addition to the rope of your choice, you need a knife or safety razor to cut material and matches or a lighter to burn the ends of the nylon to prevent fraying and seal the ends of the rope.

    Sizes

    • Purchase the right amount of material to make your halter. This varies from horse to horse depending on the size of its head. According to NaturalHorseSupply.com, a pony halter requires 18 feet of rope, an arab halter needs 20 feet and standard horse size needs 22 feet of rope. Halters for bigger breeds like warmbloods or draft horse halters can use up to 28 feet of rope.