Read Barrelhorsetrainer's post on nylon vs rope halter and would like recommendations for "my" horse's new halter. This 5 year old filly is with us as a favor to a neighbor and because my husband wants a horse (has had them in the past). I know next to nothing about horses but need to learn *very basic* groundwork with her (nothing more) and establish a good relationship. Horse is green, smart, and stubborn. She came with an ill-fitting, homemade rope halter. I don't like the idea of a rope halter and thought all halters were leather! So much to learn! Suggestions please?
I prefer rope halters. A well made rope halter gives you more control and teaches the horse better - also without being harsh.
This is a good website to use. It has a lot of good information. HorseQuest Instructional Videos - eXtension
I love nylon and rope halters. If i plan on doing ground work, i will certainly choose a rope halter, i find it works well and better results. (You have the regular (basic) rope halter and some called knotted rope halters which have 2 knots on top that goes on the horse nose to do training and many other styles out there) Plus, a rope halter is more solid, let's say your horse is tied to something, spooks and pulls well there are more chances of breaking the nylon halter than the rope halter
Blue halter is a knotted halter and the green is a basic rope halter
The rope halters also fit the horses face better. Flat halters aren't as effective, they even out the pressure - which isn't necessarily what you want.
You're absolutely right and too often do i see horses with nylon halters that are too big for them. I find that a lot of the average horse size such as 15hh wear full size halters when ideally, they need cob size halters.
I think a well-fitting flat nylon or leather halter is just as effective as a rope halter.
I would recommend a nylon break-away halter or an all leather halter. I feel like they are easier to take on and off, and are better for those without much horse experience.
Rope halters can be harsh in the wrong hands, and I don't really agree that more "bite" is necessarily the best way to gain control of a horse you don't know well.
Everything can be harsh in the wrong hands. Heck, even a brush! just saying. haha!
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