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Rope Halters

6K views 30 replies 16 participants last post by  mom2pride 
#1 ·
I'm curious. I have about a $10 rope halter that works well but I've heard many folks talk about how they have the Clinton Anderson ones and how they feel like they work better. Those halters are anywhere from $25 - $65.

Has anyone used both kinds of halters and can anyone really tell a difference? I have been trying to compare them and it looks like the CA ones may have a slightly thiner rope and also, it looks like there may be 2 extra knots...
 
#2 ·
Your observations are correct. Batches do vary but usually a slightly stiffer rope and yes two more knots.

It really makes no difference IMHO over any decent rope halter because if anyone needs THAT much pressure on a horses face then they are doing something wrong. Better to step back, take a breath and reconsider.
 
#3 ·
I started to get one. but after sales tax and shipping it's $48. Do I really need those two extra knots? Can I get a halter with those 2 extra knots if I drive to tractor supply?

I went to a new trainer and he prefers the rope halter to the web halter and I do have a rope halter but I didn't have it with me that day. I was curious if I need those 2 preasure points? We are focusing on a lot of ground work with my guy.

I wonder if I could just add knots to my current one...
 
#5 ·
Other than the two knots (which can make a difference if you have a stubborn horse who just does not like to pay attention) the only real difference is how stiff the rope is.
I have not found anything else that has the same extra stiff rope.

If your horse is doing fine with a cheap rope halter with out the knots then you do not need the more expensive rope halter.
 
#6 ·
I can understand the want of the extra knots if the horse in question was exceptionally bad mannered, but on a horse that is semi-broke and listens pretty well, they are un-necessary IMHO.

As for buying name brand, that's completely up to you if you want to spend the extra $50 just for something with some special name on it. I've never noticed the difference between the name brands and a decent quality cheapie halter. You can find the different stiffness/diameter of ropes in cheap halters too.
 
#8 ·
He did not tell me I HAD to have that brand. He just said he prefers a rope halter to a web halter and a chain which is what I had that day. He said he uses the CA halters.

I have a rope halter that I use around the barn but he was saying I would be better off lunging in it and using it for all my ground work then the webhalter with the chain...
 
#9 ·
I really like the rope halters with the knots on the noseband. I feel that the horse really learns to respect it (and then respects my personal space on the ground.) Everyone has their different opinions about them, but just go with what your horse will listen to and what you are comfortable using.

I do have a CA rope halter and lead, but didn't want to spend the $$ on the whole set up for additional ones. I have this one
Clinician Halter Professional Choice (Equine - Supplies Tack - Halters Leads - Combos)
and it works just as nice for 1/2 the price. It includes the halter and lead rope set up. I love it just as much as my CA one!
 
#10 ·
I have a double diamond rope halter.. my horse and I both love it. I was going to get a Clinton Anderson but is it worth spending THAT much money on something that gets ruined appearance wise by rain and dirt and such if there is one that works just as well?
 
#11 ·
If i remember correctly CAs rope halters have more weight to them, along with the rope. Which i would assume its like reins, it gives you a better feel. I do like the feel of CAs rope halter&lead compared to my 15 dollar ones. But i dont think it makes that much of a difference, im sure you can train just as effectively in the cheaper halter.
 
#12 ·
That's actually a negative. Problem with the heavy clasps, ropes and halters is the horse never actually gets a 'weightless moment' or true release. That's not good if you want a light, listening, attentive horse. That's why I no longer use rope halters at all.

As for the knots it's somewhat a misnomer. They do not reliably line up with any supposed nerve points anyway. They create focus points, so increase the pain response, but do not control any particular pressure points as is the claim.

As far as a halter goes, if it's good quality parachute rope (rather than the fibrous stuff) so it's strong and will last then it makes no difference. If anyone needs it stiffer or more knots etc then that's just hiding poor training skills. Just like increasing bit strength, or whatever.
 
#14 ·
OP, if you really want a halter with the four knots on the noseband, do a search on the internet (especially if you are in the US) and there are usually many people who make the same type of halters and many who use the same type of rope as the CA halters but are usually much cheaper.

I had a problem of finding quality rope halters here in South Africa as they aren't nearly as common and to buy one in the US or in Aus is VERY expensive so ended up just doing a lot of research into what is the best type of rope and then bought some and made my own (which is also an option for you if you want).
 
#15 ·
I'm curious. I have about a $10 rope halter that works well but I've heard many folks talk about how they have the Clinton Anderson ones and how they feel like they work better. Those halters are anywhere from $25 - $65.
I had CA one. Used it handful of times. Sold it. I didn't like it at all: very stiff, unpleasant on hands, and personally I don't think its so much better control-wise than $10 halter.
 
#18 ·
My cheapo is a stiff one...

Question:

He was charging past me out of the trailer (did it twice). Knocked me into the wall and got off before me so I started chaining him. I will not lead him off the trailer until I have the chain on and I make him stand a moment before I take him off. I have not taken him off without the chain since. Will the rope halter give me the same bit?
 
#28 ·
My cheapo is a stiff one...

Question:

He was charging past me out of the trailer (did it twice). Knocked me into the wall and got off before me so I started chaining him. I will not lead him off the trailer until I have the chain on and I make him stand a moment before I take him off. I have not taken him off without the chain since. Will the rope halter give me the same bit?
The CA rope halter has a bite to it. If you use this halter to unload, you should have no need to use a chain/web halter. The knot create pressure points, therefore are painful if the horse pulls. The horse I have in training wears one and he is very respectful to it. He will round his head right up in response to the knots if I ask.
 
#20 ·
So I should probably continue hauling in my webhalter so that I can unload with a chain until I feel confident I've fixed that issue...

I geuss eventually I'll have to unload w/out the chain to see if my problem is solved...
 
#21 · (Edited)
The best way to see is to park a trailer somewhere at home and practice loading on and off until your horse does it calmly. A rope halter gives more 'bite' than a flat nylon one but probably not as much as a chain.

Just remember, if you do use a rope halter, never use it to tie your horse in the trailer!
Posted via Mobile Device
 
#22 ·
Hi..I just bought a 9 year old mare that has had minimal ground handling/riding for the past 2 years. The other day I haltered her and led her to the fence, where, after eating some tasty treats, she decided she was done, turned around and headed off. I still had the lead rope and as I was kinda flung to the end of it, she started trotting away. I had to drop the lead, but went after her and she stood to let me come up. I am bringing her to my boarding barn tomorrow and will have her take some lessons in ground handling, should I get a rope halter for more control?
 
#25 ·
Yes... I recommend rope halter for this mare. The knots act as little pressure fingers whereas a nylon web is flat and a horse can easily pull away as there is even pressure (if you want to call it that..) everywhere.

It'll make the cues for her while leading so much more clear than with web.. just my experience. Please don't get hurt!

i go to lowes or west marine and for less than $20 you can get any color or type of rope you want. Takes me all of 10 minutes to tie one. The first one took me a couple hours or two but it is really simple once you get the hang of it, I ddont use nose Knots, seams like they would hurt pretty bad. The last one I used 1/8 green cord from walmart did a 3 braid, then tied it, cost six bucks.
48 bucks for a rope halter ? wow, talk about riding a name brand.
How?? That looks so cool!!!!
 
#23 ·
i go to lowes or west marine and for less than $20 you can get any color or type of rope you want. Takes me all of 10 minutes to tie one. The first one took me a couple hours or two but it is really simple once you get the hang of it, I ddont use nose Knots, seams like they would hurt pretty bad. The last one I used 1/8 green cord from walmart did a 3 braid, then tied it, cost six bucks.
48 bucks for a rope halter ? wow, talk about riding a name brand.
 

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#24 ·
Love the halter Joe. I wish I were brave enough to make my own. I broke down and ordered the halter last night. I had a lot of heart burn over it because of the price. Let's hope it's magical....
 
#26 ·
It came! I do like it alot. It's a thinner rope then my other halter and a better fit. (the orange one is my old one) I don't have it on right here. It needs to be higher on the nose which I will do the next time I use it, but it does make a difference in his behavior. I'm glad I made the purchase....
 

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#31 ·
I'm curious. I have about a $10 rope halter that works well but I've heard many folks talk about how they have the Clinton Anderson ones and how they feel like they work better. Those halters are anywhere from $25 - $65.

Has anyone used both kinds of halters and can anyone really tell a difference? I have been trying to compare them and it looks like the CA ones may have a slightly thiner rope and also, it looks like there may be 2 extra knots...
I still have some of my older 'cheapo' rope halters, along with a couple of my more expensive halters. One a no name one, One is CA, and the other is a custom made one, that I ordered from someone on HGS. When I initially start a horse I will use my cheapo halters, since that is what is readily available for an owner to purchase when I am done with it. If he works well in that, I will continue. But most will like to lean a little more than I like on these at first, so I will use one of the more expensive halters on them; these are made of tougher, better quality, firmer rope, so the horse won't find it as easy to lean on. Mine all have four nose knots. I will use these for initial training and then go back down to a regular rope halter.

Once a horse is trained well, I expect him to work well in whatever I put him in (be it rope, flat halter, whatever), so it shouldn't matter what type he is in once he learns what he needs to learn. I go back and forth between halters on my own horse.
 
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