What kind of halter best for my horse?

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!