ᐉ How to make a DIY halter for a horse

All horsemen know that it is the bridle that allows you to control the horse, sets the right direction when riding and tells the animal when the rider has decided to stop. There are more and more people who like to ride bareback, but the bridle is still an indispensable attribute.

It is not difficult to guess that the secret of the “unity” of horse and rider largely depends on the correct placement of the bridle. By making sure your horse is comfortable, you are several steps closer to successful training. We will tell you in this article how to make the curbing process as fast as possible without making mistakes.

Horse measurement

First you need to determine its size. This is an important point. It must be approached very responsibly. Measurements must be accurate. A table of measurements of all parameters of the horse will be useful, because without it it will most likely not be possible to do the job correctly. If you are not completely sure that the dimensions are correct, you need to focus on the larger side. Let the halter be a little larger, it's not scary.

Horse measurements

Manufacturing process

Using the measurements from the compiled table, you need to tie four regular knots in sequence at one end of the rope.

Again, using the measurements, you need to fold the rope into a loop and tie a regular knot from it, such as the one usually tied on shoelaces. The loop should be approximately ten centimeters long.
Now the left nasal knot is tied from the loop. It is made double, as described above.
Next you need to tie the right double knot, moving from the left. After tying this knot, the halter will have two pieces of rope parallel to each other and tied between the left and right nose knots. They must be the same length.
The next step in making a halter is to tie a double throat knot. Using the dimensions in the table, you will need to tie the knots so that the distances between the right nose knot and the throat knot and between the left nose and throat knots are the same. The length of the ropes on both sides will be different, so the difference in length must be corrected.
Next, a double knot is tied in the horse's right ear from the throat knot. The halter should already have the proper shape. It is necessary to check all the dimensions of the resulting product against the table; they should not diverge much.
The next step is to tie the two long parts of the halter with a regular knot. You will get two loops about ten or twelve centimeters long. You should not tighten the resulting knot before the halter is tried on the horse.
Now the ends of the ropes must be cut so that they are the same length. If the rope is synthetic, the ends are melted with a lighter. You can leave the ends of the rope untied or tie the two ends, for example, with leather.

Stages of tying

Learning to knit knots

Rope halter is knitted with double knots, if you don’t know how to knit them, you should practice a little.

The basis for a double knot will be the most ordinary knot

Now, you need to tie a knot inside this knot. For learning, it is better to take a rope of a different color to knit a double knot, it will be more clear.

It is tied like this: the end of a rope (for learning a different color) is pulled into an untightened simple knot, passes over the loop of a simple knot and, returning again to the loop, a second knot is tied.

Let's look at the technique of tying a double knot step by step.

Tying a regular knot.

Next, we take the end of the same rope (here it’s easier to start with a different color rope) and thread the end through the first loop, parallel to it.

Returning to the loop, we carefully tie a knot in the knot, trying to tighten the knots equally. You will end up with a round knot with an “x” on both sides.

If you absolutely cannot knit double knots. You can tie a halter with regular knots, but since they are flat, they will not work as effectively and they will not look as beautiful as double ones.

Characteristics of elements

The structure of a horse's bridle consists of the following elements: five straps (occipital, cheek, forehead, muzzle and chin), a bit with rings, bites, and reins. Agricultural headbands are usually divided into four sizes.

Photo of a horse in harness

All traction force from the horse's collar is transferred to the cart or implement, depending on the type of work. A clamp consists of the following parts: a clamp, pliers, a pillow, a tire and a support. Clamps for arc harnesses are marked by the presence of a pair of tugs that connect the shafts and the arc. A drawbar harness or a double harness has rawhide eyelets where the trailing harnesses are fastened. At the top there is a strap called a gort, used to fasten harnesses. Clamps are made to size. And these dimensions are determined by length and width. In this case, the length is the distance inside from the clamp pad to the pincer horns that are located below. And the width is measured at the height of the holes intended for tugs between the inner sides of the pliers.

The harness protects the clamp from sliding forward slightly as a result of the braking process. Its depth depends on the length of the transverse and slope belts. It should be of such a size that the rim straps settle below the ischial tuberosities by 5 cm.

The nurse is used to maintain the collar in the desired position, and the arch and shaft - the midsection and the abdominal region. There are two types of caregivers for horses: straight (for horses with wide and low withers) and humpbacked (for high and sharp withers).

Reins are ribbons, combined or rope

What does the bridle consist of?

Each bridle has its own component parts, which vary depending on the model. Before purchasing a snaffle harness, you need to know what the differences are and how each option is used.

Snaffle headband

Refers to classic models that are ideal for beginner riders. It is very easy to use and has minimal straps. So, the bridle consists of:

occipital strap;
cheek (paired);
chin;
forehead;
reason;
iron (snaffle);
noseband (may or may not be part of the bridle).

Snaffle headband

Mouthpiece headband

It is distinguished by the presence of another piece of iron in the horse’s mouth – a mouthpiece, with which you can give a command to your four-legged partner with maximum accuracy. Such headbands are used in dressage when performing elements from the higher school of riding. In addition to the belts listed, there are several more:

mouthpiece;
rein (two pairs)
capsule;
snaffle.

Mouthpiece bridle
There are several other types of bridles, for example, the hackamore: it is interesting because there is no iron and the effect on the horse is carried out due to pressure on the bridge of the nose. It is used for animals that either have increased sensitivity of the oral cavity or have had any injuries that do not allow putting on the bit.

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What is a halter and what is a horse needed for?

The halter got its name due to its strong similarity to a bridle, but without a bit. It is made from leather, rope, fabric or braid. With the help of this device, a person tames a horse. The halter is used to control the horse during water procedures, cleaning hooves, and saddling.

With its help, it is convenient to lead the horse from the ground on the reins. It is also convenient when handling horses in the pasture. The halter allows the animal's mouth to be free, and the horse can calmly nibble grass while grazing, but if necessary, it can be easily controlled.

Safety precautions

But remember, since your halter is made from a single piece of rope, it is very strong and not easy to remove, so if used incorrectly, your horse could be harmed.

To prevent this from happening, remember these simple rules:

Do not leave your horse in a stall wearing a rope halter.
Do not let her frolic in the levada without removing the halter.
Do not tie your horse in it for a long time.
Playing with other horses is also prohibited while wearing a rope halter.
And, of course, the halter must fit the size of the horse.

Using the video below, you can clearly see how rope halters are made.

What is a horse's bridle?

During the formation of horse breeding, a simple design of several straps was put on the horse. It allowed the rider to control the animal's head and direct movement in the desired direction.

The first bridles did not have a snaffle (bit). The reins were attached to the nose strap, which was ineffective when trying to stop a horse galloping at full speed. Currently, such a headband is called a horse halter. Used as a simple control tool. In most sporting stables, safety precautions require keeping your pet in a halter.

A belt halter that fits loosely over the muzzle does not prevent the horse from eating and drinking water. At the same time, the groom can move the horse from the stall to the pasture or take it to trimming without putting on a bridle, but by fastening a chombur (rein) to the halter.

Precautionary measures

Special attention is required when using the halter. If an animal gets stuck with a device in a fence or trees, especially at full speed, it can cause severe injury and death. To increase safety, special breaking products are used, in the upper half of which there is a leather insert. The replacement part is fixed with fasteners that can burst under strong impact.

When using nylon straps instead of leather, the replacement part is made thinner, which will allow it to break. It is located on the cheek part.

The basic safety requirements when using a halter include the following recommendations:

When the horse is tied, the device is removed from its muzzle.
The halter you buy or make yourself must match the measurements of the horse's head.
On pasture or during various games, the animal does not feel the need to be reined.

When the horse is in contact with other animals, its movements should not be constrained by anything. In this case, you do not need to use the device.

What is a halter

This is a special device that is put on a horse for the purpose of leading it out of the paddock, fixing it in a stall or in a pasture, and directing the movement of the animal. The halter follows the structure of a horse bridle, but does not have a bit.

The product consists of the following components:

noseband, or muzzle strap;
buckle or carabiner;
strap for cheeks, back of head and chin.

The device is most often made on the basis of rawhide, but for sensitive animals, yacht or nylon ropes are more suitable. The latter are more slippery and harder and more inconvenient to work with. In this case, you need to know exactly how to weave a leather halter.

Operation of the device is relatively simple. Having made sure that it is in good working order, the horse is prepared, talked to, and stroked. A cord or chombur (ropes of different lengths) are thrown around its neck, which will prevent the animal from escaping. The buckle on the head strap is unfastened and the right arm is thrown over the horse’s head. The halter is pulled over the animal's muzzle with the left hand, and then the head strap is secured behind the ears and the carabiner is snapped into place.

The structure of the halters is always the same, only the color, size and material differ. A type of device is halters, which are products made of ropes that are fixed with knots on the head. Such products are suitable for calm, peaceful animals or for displaying horses at shows and exhibitions.

Making a halter

Each owner himself determines for what purpose he needs an accessory and what type will be most convenient for his pet.

If it is not possible to purchase a ready-made accessory, you can sew it yourself. In this case, it is enough to follow the instructions for making the equipment yourself.

Halter sizes

In order for the device to best suit your pet, you need to take all measurements very carefully and competently. There are several of them:

horse head length;
forehead line from the side of the muzzle;
length of the bridge of the nose.

It is not allowed to use a product of a smaller size. It will rub the animal's skin and create pain for it.

This video describes in great detail how to correctly take measurements from a horse’s head to make a halter:

Tools and materials

If there is a need to independently make such a device for your horse as a halter, then you need to decide on the choice of material from which you will sew the product and stock up on a certain set of tools. It consists of the following components:

leather or synthetic straps;
fleece or soft velor;
awl;
large needle;
5 durable rings - for attaching belts;
strong threads;
sewing machine;
scissors.

Stages of making a leather halter

Making the product will not be difficult if you have previously prepared all the necessary tools, materials, and taken measurements of the horse’s head.

The manufacturing technology consists of several steps:

Take the parameters obtained after measuring the horse’s head and use them to create a pattern for the product. The pattern should give you seven belts.
Next, according to the pattern, cut out the straps and sew the edges for their strength.
Attach a buckle or carabiner to the left side of the back strap.
To adjust the halter, make holes on the other side of the product.
Attach a ring to the lower section of the belt, which will later be used to fasten the leash.
Connect all the belts with rings. The diameter of the rings must be at least 3 cm.
Use soft fabrics on the inside of the straps. This will prevent rubbing the animal's skin.

Video instruction:

Making a rope halter

To make this device, nylon or yacht rope is used. It is more difficult to make a product from nylon rope, since it is slippery and friable when cut.

The manufacturing technology of the product consists of several steps:

Using the measurements obtained, tie 4 regular knots on the rope.
Fold the rope to size into a loop and tie a regular knot. The length of the loop should be approximately 10 cm.
Tie nose knots on either side of the loop.
Then make a throat knot. In size, it is tied in such a way that it is located in the middle, at the same distance between the nasal nodes.
Make the next knot so that it passes near the animal's right ear. The halter must have the proper appearance and size. A little more is allowed.
Tie two long halter ropes into a regular knot and get 2 loops 10-12 cm long.
Before tightening the loops, try the product on the horse's head.
If everything fits well on the animal’s head, then tighten the knots tightly. If necessary, they can be moved to fit the size of the head, and then tightened.

Video instruction:

Halter made from braid or sling

Horse halters are often made from strong braid. When making such a product, rings and a belt with a buckle must be used.

One ring has a diameter of 65 cm and is worn on the horse's muzzle. The second, with a diameter of about 105 cm, is attached to the horse’s head, behind the ears. Both rings are connected to each other by three jumpers located along the cheeks, 20 cm long. The third jumper under the horse’s chin should be 13 cm long.

To make a halter from braid yourself, you need to do the following:

Prepare about 3 meters of sling.
Cut 7 strips and fold them in half.
Connect the ends of the strips in the middle and sew belts from each.
An old belt with a buckle is often used. You will need 15 cm of the belt part with the buckle and 55 cm of the second part with holes.
Next, fold the sling in half and stitch part of the belt so that its total length is 105 cm.
To make a belt around the muzzle, fold the sling pattern in half and sew it with one whole ring.
Place the middle strap of the lower part on this ring and in the middle of the sling insert, and place a metal ring from the muzzle.
Next, wrap the tails of the straps and sew them on a machine.
At the junction of the sling and the belt, connect both edges of the cheek strap to the ring and sew it.
Repeat the same steps with the second cheek strap.

When you have consistently carried out all the described actions and received the device, you need to try it on the horse. If everything goes well, then you have successfully completed the production of a halter for your pet.

You can learn more about making a halter for a horse from braid by watching the video:

Whip

During horse riding, a horse whip is used as a means of control, telling the animal what to do. It is strictly forbidden to use the whip as punishment. It is used only in cases where the pet cannot figure out what is required of him. Depending on how it is used, the horse understands what they want from him.

At horse races, control of the horse occurs exclusively with the whip, since the stirrups are raised high and the rider loses the ability to control the horse, squeezing its sides with his feet. The longest whips are used when training horses in dressage. Their length reaches 1 m 30 cm. A standard whip has a length of 70 cm.

Whip with leather clapper

The whip can be made from different materials: plastic, leather or synthetic. They vary in weight and flexibility. The whip is bought in specialized stores or made independently.

To make a whip you need:

2 laces;
A tip designed for a summer fishing rod;
A small piece of leather;
Metal D-ring;
Sewing threads.

The whip is made in a certain sequence. To begin with, cut off the ends of the laces. The hollow cord is put on the fishing rod immediately, and its core is first pulled out of the braided cord. The ends of the lace are secured with knots and lubricated with glue. 2 laces and a ring are attached to it, after which everything is wrapped with thick thread. Next, a piece of leather is cut into a deep fringe. The leather is glued and then the fringe is woven into the laces in a spiral.

Jumping whip

To give the whip a factory look, a thermal tube is stretched onto the braided cord. The firecracker is made from leather folded in half, which is glued and stitched. A hand strap loop, similar to the one found on mobile phone cases, is attached to the ring.

It is unacceptable to hit the animal hard. The whip should not cause pain. The horse also responds to the rider’s aggression with aggression and can throw off an inexperienced rider, which is fraught with serious injuries.

What is a halter and what is it for?

A halter, in simple terms, is a bridle without a bit. It is a stable item, which is intended for leading horses out of stalls and corrals, as well as for keeping the animal on a leash. Halters are made of rawhide or special thick braid. Also today there are varieties of halters designed for show. As a rule, they are made from decorative materials using various chains and other decorations, as in the photo.

The halter is put on the head of a horse without a bridle and is used together with a chumbur. This is a rope or a halter made of braid. It must be used during breeding and cleaning of the animal. Also in the stables, special belts are attached to the halter for saddling and cleaning. They help to fix and control the horse in a level position.

Structure

So, the halter consists of the following elements:

muzzle strap or noseband;
chin;
buccal;
supine or occipital belt;
buckle or carabiner for fastening.

You can see what each part looks like in the diagram and photo.

Important points

Always lead your horse by the reins with both hands. Hold your right hand at the base, closer to the horse’s head. This will allow you to unfasten the carabiner in any situation or hold the animal in place. With your left hand, hold the remaining part of the rein or cord. When leading the horse by the bridle, you should be to its left at shoulder level. Don't let the animal walk in front or behind you. The horse may step on your heel or get scared with all the ensuing bad consequences.

How to put on a halter correctly?

The structure of a halter is much simpler than a bridle, making it much easier to put on. Let's look at the detailed instructions.

Take the halter and chomp, check its condition to see if there are any tears or broken fasteners. Be sure to see how it is secured. Modern halters usually have a top buckle or carabiner on the head strap, always on the left side.
Approach the horse from the left side and greet it with a voice or a stroke so as not to frighten it. Do not make sudden movements if the animal does not know you. Then take a harness or cord and put it around the neck so that if something happens, the horse can be restrained.
Unfasten the buckle on the shoulder strap. If the halter is not used for the first time, then there are abrasions and traces of use in this place.
Take the halter in your left hand and throw your right hand over your head. Place it over the animal's face, pulling the head strap into place behind the ears with your right hand. Fasten the buckle or carabiner.

Purpose

A halter is a bridle without iron and is a necessary item for stable use. It is put on horses to take the animal out of the stall, pick it up from the pen or put it on the junctions (leash). This necessary item is made using very thick braid or rawhide. Today, there are also decorative options that are widely used in shows.

Halter

To put a halter on a horse, it does not need to insert a bit into its mouth. To control the animal, a chombur is used in the form of a strong rope, which is attached to the halter with a carabiner. It is an indispensable tool for cleaning horses, especially those with an obstinate character or excessive ticklishness. To prevent the animal from accidentally injuring a person, a halter is put on it, then it is secured in the passage of the stable at the junctions, and only after that the necessary procedures are performed:

cleaning;
saddle;
forging;
veterinary activities.

What does it consist of?

If you look closely at this necessary device, you will see that it consists of several straps, namely:

capsule (put on the muzzle);
chin;
buccal;
occipital;
carabiner or buckles to fasten.

Rules for dressing a halter

Halters are much simpler than bridles, and therefore, if you know a few simple rules, putting it on will not be difficult even for a beginner. The step-by-step instructions are as follows:

Before putting on a halter, it should be carefully inspected for damage. All fastenings and straps must be in perfect order. Modern models have buckles or carabiners that are attached to the left side of the back strap.
Before opening the door to the stall, the horse must be called so that the animal does not get scared. The animal must be handled calmly and, if possible, without sudden movements, especially if the horse is unfamiliar. Chombur is worn around the neck.
The next step is to unfasten the buckle on the back strap.
The halter is taken with the left hand, the right hand is thrown over the animal's head. The noseband fits over the muzzle, and the neck strap goes behind the ears. Only then can you fasten the buckles.

How to weave a rope halter for a horse with your own hands

In order to make a rope halter with your own hands, you should use the following materials and tools:

yacht rope - 670 cm (this is the length for a medium-sized Cob-Large halter);
a marker in a contrasting color to the color of the rope;
scissors;
lighter;
ruler.

When weaving a halter, we perform the following steps:

Cut the rope to the required length (670 cm). We singe the edges of the cut piece with a lighter so that they do not unravel.
We measure 90 cm from the end of the rope with a ruler (point A from the size table) and mark it with a marker. We tie a knot in the intended place - hold the rope with our left hand, and then throw it with our right hand over the top of our left and pull the rest of the rope through the resulting loop. Carefully tighten the knot so that it is in the intended place.

Summary

To make accessories for a horse, you will need some experience with the animal. For beginners, it is better to visit the store and purchase a finished product. The main condition is comfort for the horse.

The halter is a very important element of a horse's equipment and is used to carry the horse in the hands, to secure it in the stable or during transportation. Any horse should have this piece of equipment and should be taught to use it from a very young age. Today, in any horse shop you can find a wide variety from leather and synthetic halters to rope halters. However, you can make a halter for your horse with your own hands. We'll talk about this in this article.

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We weave a halter

We take the rope and measure the distance A - measure about 25 cm for the fastener. If you doubt the size of the halter, then it is better to lean towards the larger side.

Tie a simple knot, measuring the distance according to the table, do not tighten it. Next, using the diagram below and the table, tie simple knots.

After tying the knot at point E, you will need to make a loop. The loop should be approximately 10 cm long. Carefully measure the distances to the points, then correcting everything will be quite problematic.

It is tied very simply.

Next, using the diagram below and the size chart, measure point F and tie your first double knot.

After you have tied point F, according to the diagram we tie point G - at the end you should have two parts of the rope parallel to each other, connected with double knots. Please note that the two ends of the rope must be the same length.

Now we measure the distance H and tie a double “neck knot”. To do this, we use the diagram below. Please note that the distance between the H and D lines must be the same. These will be the lower parts of the carrying strap and the strap that goes to the chin strap under the horse's lower jaw. Check the measurements again.

Well, our halter has finally acquired its familiar shape. Next, position it as shown in the figure below. Now you will need to tie a double knot, measuring the distance I. Remember that all lines must correspond to the table ones.

Place the two long pieces of the halter (H and D) in regular knots, you will have two loops about 10cm long. It is not recommended to tighten them until you have tried the halter on the horse.

Melt the ends of the rope and if you wish, you can connect them with a leather strap - it’s up to you.

It's time to try your creation on a horse. You can already adjust the knots on the animal, and even move them a little somewhere.

If the halter fits well on the horse, all the knots are corrected, tie it on the horse to make a knot as in the picture

The main principle of this knot is that it can be easily untied on occasion. So, the halter is ready, it's time to test it!

How to make a halter with your own hands

So, from the beginning of the article it becomes clear that halters are necessary attributes for a stable. Of course, it must be individual for each horse.

You can make the necessary purchase in a specialized store or do it yourself. The second option is cheaper, and you can create a real individual masterpiece.

Sewing a synthetic model

Before you start sewing, you need to take measurements of the horse. Yes, this is a very important stage. A small model can cause discomfort for the pet, and if the halter, on the contrary, is too large, then it will simply fly off the head, and at the most crucial moment.

The advantage of synthetic material is that it is more practical for everyday use. Dirt and water are not a hindrance for such models; they can be washed at any time and restored to their original form, but this is much more difficult to do with leather.

What materials are needed? After taking all the measurements, you need to select the material. Here you will definitely need strong threads and a synthetic base, namely:

several synthetic straps;
fleece or velor fabric for lining;
sewing machine;
threads of the desired color;
needles and scissors;
awl.

Step-by-step instructions

It is recommended to draw up a diagram with the correct sizes of all straps, of which there should ultimately be 7 pieces with allowances to make sewing easier.
If the material is quite thin, it is recommended to make two layers of fabric.
The belt, which will be the back of the head, must be equipped with a carabiner or buckle (at the request of the master). To be able to adjust the desired length, the strap is equipped with holes on the other side.
The lower snoring belt must have a ring for attaching a chombur or cord to it.
All belts are connected by rings. The capsule strap can also be provided with holes to fix its dimensions.
It is recommended to sheathe the neck strap and noseband with fleece or velor so that the original material does not rub the horse’s skin.

Rope models

The main advantage of such a halter is its lightness, as a result of which the horse will practically not feel the straps on his muzzle, and they will not irritate him. It is not uncommon for young horses to react very violently to metal buckles that come into contact with the skin.

Even though the halter weighs almost nothing, this does not mean that it will not be possible to keep the horse under control. If the pet begins to pull the harness inappropriately, then the knots will begin to put pressure on those areas that are affected by a conventional harness. The unpleasant sensation will cause the horse to return to its original position. This method of influence helps to more successfully train a young animal to carry out commands.

Another name for such ammunition is halter. Before you start creating a halter, it is recommended to practice weaving double knots, which are distinguished by their strength, excellent fixation and will not put pressure on the horse’s skin. Before starting work, it is recommended to practice tying double knots on the rope that will be used to make a halter.

Rope halter

Step-by-step instructions:

First you need to tie a simple knot without tightening the edges of the rope. One of the free ends is wound behind an already tied knot in such a way that another loop lies parallel to the one made. Now you can tie a knot inside the existing one.
At this stage you can tighten the rope at both ends. In this case, the nodes should not move and remain at the same level. The result, if done correctly, should be an X-shaped structure.
The halter can only be made after all knots have been successfully completed. Before starting work, it is necessary to take all measurements of the horse's muzzle and make knots in the places where they are needed.

A mandatory part of a horse's equipment is a bridle. It was invented a long time ago in order to control animals, to show where to run, what gait to take, and, of course, to stop.

Horses are considered one of the most intelligent animals, but without the necessary contact it will be very difficult for the rider. This process is carried out using an iron, which is inserted into the horse’s mouth (thanks to this detail, the horse understands the wishes of the rider). For the correct placement of the iron, a bridle is needed.

Bridle