If you're just starting out with horses, you're probably amazed, excited, and a little nervous-all at the same time. Amazed at their size and power, excited by their energy and beauty, and nervous because, well, it's all new to you and you want to get it right.
For example, how do you get a halter on a horse's head without it ending up backward or upside down? And what is that strange-looking knot you've seen people use to tie their horses to a post? Although it may seem like the mechanics of haltering and tying a horse are complicated, take heart: With a little practice and a few guidelines to follow, the steps will become second nature to you in no time at all.
Halter types
Flat nylon or leather halters. The most common type of halter is made of flat bands of nylon or leather, fastening with a buckle that's typically on the left side. There are all sorts of styles, but these halters generally consist of a noseband with a tie ring under the chin, a connecting strap underneath, a cheekpiece, a throatlatch, and a crownpiece (that goes behind the horse's ears). Models often include a snap that attaches the throatlatch to the cheekpiece, allowing you to slip the halter on and off without using the buckles. Others have additional buckles allowing you to fine-tune the fit.
When you go shopping for a halter, you'll discover that manufacturers size them by age, breed, or weight. For example, you may come across "Weanling" "Yearling" "Warm blood" "Arab," or simply "Medium-800 to 1,000 lbs" and "Large-1,000 to 1,500 lbs." Be sure you hang onto the sales receipt so that you can exchange the halter if it doesn't fit. (More about fit in a second.)
A Daily Event
- Walk to the horse in a friendly, matter-of-fact manner, with the halter held in a non-threatening way.
- Organize the parts before you attempt to put the halter on, noseband toward the nose, crownpiece and buckle toward the horse's throatlatch and poll.
- Work quietly and gently, especially around the nose and ears; take your time.
- Once you've buckled or tied the halter on, praise and pet your horse for standing still.
- Follow all safety practices when tying your horse: hitch to an immovable post, tie wither height or higher, with just the right amount of slack, using a quick-release knot
Rope halters. A rope halter is pretty much what you'd expect from the name: a halter made from a long piece of rope. A good rope halter will be sturdy, soft, and flexible, with smooth, adjustable knots. The diameter of the rope can vary (this is important to keep in mind, because the thinner the rope, the more severe the pressure it can exert).
Rope halters are popular because they're affordable, durable, and lightweight, and they don't include any metal hardware that could break. They're often touted as being superior for use as a training tool because they apply more pressure than flat nylon or leather if the horse tries to pull away, while allowing immediate release of the pressure when he stops pulling. If you use a rope halter, be sure you don't forget about the release part. Many people don't realize how much pressure (in some cases, very painful pressure) a rope halter can exert on the tender spots of a horse's face and head.
There are also certain situations where you shouldn't use a rope halter. The first is for turnout. You should never turn a horse out wearing any kind of halter unless it's a "breakaway" model (designed with a piece that will release under pressure). And rope halters are designed not to break. Horses can catch a halter on fencing or trees or get a hind foot stuck in the halter when scratching their heads-any of which can lead to injury or death. By the same token, you should never use a rope halter to tie a horse in a trailer. In the event of a sudden turn or stop, a rope halter could put extreme pressure on a horse's head, creating friction burns or injuries caused by the horse's struggle against the pain and pressure.
