Haltering Your Horse

A horse halter is headgear you put on your horse to
guide him. It fits over the back of the neck, just behind1. Before placing a halter on your horse, you should first
the ears and around your horse's muzzle. Unlike acheck the halter and lead rope for any damage or
bridle, a halter does not have a bit that goes into yourexcessive wear. Start by making sure the halter is
horse's mouth. Once the halter is fastened around yourunbuckled and attaching the lead rope to the tie ring on
horse's head, you can then lead him by pulling on thethe halter.
muzzle part of the halter.2. Speak to your horse and approach him from the
Halters are made of varying material andfront so he can see you. Walk toward his left shoulder.
workmanship (and of course, a wide range of prices).3. Loop the lead rope around your horse's neck by
Leather halters tend to be the most expensive, but arepassing it under his neck using your left hand and
the most durable if you take the time to keep them ingrabbing the rope with your right hand over the top of
good condition. Rope halters are made from bradedhis neck. Gather both ends of the lead rope together in
material such as cotton or sometimes nylon and areyour right hand to keep your horse from wandering.
generally very inexpensive.4. Changeover the lead rope to your left hand, and
You can buy premade rope halters or make your owngrasp both sides of the halter near the nose band. Slip
(they are fun and easy to make). Rope halters tend tothe noseband around your horse's muzzle and slide it
stretch or shrink requiring frequent readjustment. Nylonup and around your horse's nose.
halters constructed in a flat web design are cheaper5. Wrap the halter strap over your horse's head just
than leather halters and last a great deal longer thanbehind his ears. Fasten the buckle so it is not too tight
cotton rope halters. Nylon horse halters cleaned easilyor too loose. If you can fit two fingers between your
and are not usually subjected to rotting or mildew.horse's cheekbone and the noseband, then the halter is
The type of horse halter you use is simply a matter ofadjusted about right.
preference. And regardless of the kind of halter you6. Unwrap the lead rope from around your horse's
use with your horse, you put it on the same.neck. You are now ready to lead your horse.
Putting a Halter on Your Horse