Rope halter recommendations

[millitiger]

I want to get a new rope halter for my large 3yro but in worried about sizing as most seem to come up small!

Can anyone recommend somewhere that sells halters that are genuinely big enough for an 18hh warmblood x Irish draught, who has a head size to match!

Thanks all

 

[KittenInTheTree]

A Zilco extra large size rope halter should do. They are massive!

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

We use cow halters. Cows have big heads!

 

[Glitter's fun]

Did I miss something? The rope halters we buy are pretty much one size fits all, you just pull some extra rope through the ring. "Too small" only means the rope left dangling is too short, so just make sure you buy a long one.
Like Pearsasinger, we buy from the cattle market. They do two lengths, 'calf' and 'cow'. Never found anything one or other doesn't fit.

 

[sollimum]

I have bought from

easy does it before - they will do a bespoke halter to your measurements.

Rope Halter Measurement Chart

www.easy-does-it.co.uk

have always found the delivery to be super quick and lovely quality.

 

[coblets]

Did I miss something? The rope halters we buy are pretty much one size fits all, you just pull some extra rope through the ring. "Too small" only means the rope left dangling is too short, so just make sure you buy a long one.
Like Pearsasinger, we buy from the cattle market. They do two lengths, 'calf' and 'cow'. Never found anything one or other doesn't fit.

millitiger means the NH ones I think, not the rope halters used in showing or on livestock.

 

[Jenko109]

I love the divide on the meaning of 'halter'

 

[Glitter's fun]

millitiger means the NH ones I think, not the rope halters used in showing or on livestock.

Ah, thank you.

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

millitiger means the NH ones I think, not the rope halters used in showing or on livestock.

Cow halters work on exactly the same principle, they just need the handler to be on the ball and don't cost a fortune.

 

[millitiger]

Thanks @coblets exactly right

I would hope I am 'on the ball' but I'm looking for something for groundwork and that I can long rein with as well.
I don't need anything for leading thankfully so I don't think a cow halter will work.

 

[millitiger]

Did I miss something? The rope halters we buy are pretty much one size fits all, you just pull some extra rope through the ring. "Too small" only means the rope left dangling is too short, so just make sure you buy a long one.
Like Pearsasinger, we buy from the cattle market. They do two lengths, 'calf' and 'cow'. Never found anything one or other doesn't fit.

I have bought one apparently full size halter and I'll be lucky if it fits my 14.2hh pony.
I don't want to keep buying different makes until I hit on one that is actually full sized, so was looking for recommendations

 

[Cloball]

They are super easy to make

 

[Prancerpoos]

Genuine question: when would you use a rope halter rather than a headcollar? I haven’t seen halters used since the local horse sales in the 70s, never really wondered why before.

 

[Cloball]

I made a few because I wanted high Viz ones in nice rope there are lots of guides online and then you can get the fit right.

 

[KittenInTheTree]

I think you're underestimating your own talents there @Cloball!

 

[sollimum]

Genuine question: when would you use a rope halter rather than a headcollar? I haven’t seen halters used since the local horse sales in the 70s, never really wondered why before.

I use a rope halter for groundwork and under my bridle. I have more control than in a headcollar and if I need to lead out on a hack that is easy too.

 

[Horseysheepy]

Get Knotted rope halters are good. I've been ordering from them on and off for 18 years.

 

[Caol Ila]

I have one of Cloball's! Used it today to lunge Fin.

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

Genuine question: when would you use a rope halter rather than a headcollar? I haven’t seen halters used since the local horse sales in the 70s, never really wondered why before.

We use them as a matter of course, they are easier to slip on and off than a headcollar and give greater control if a horse starts messing about, without having to resort to leading in a bridle. I can never see the point of spending a fortune on the fancy things when a simple one does the job. We don't use them for long-reining though.

 

[Caol Ila]

I don’t like them for long reining, tbh. No matter how well it fits, it always twists about when you pull back on it and makes for very muddled steering cues.

I backed my youngster in a rope halter with rein attachments but quickly switched to a bosal (well, initially a loping hackamore) because the way a rope halter acts when you have reins clipped to the side is very confusing.

I like them for single line lunging and groundwork, and when I hand walk horses into the park, I like them for the extra bit of control!

 

[Skib]

I use Double Diamond rope halters. I bought mine in USA (3 sizes) and take them to the yard for ground work. The rope is hard which means that a touch against the horse is enough to signal. I have not lunged or long reined with them.

 

[Noble]

I bought one recently from Horse Leads, you can put the measurements in the comments and she will make it to them.

 

[photo_jo]

Thanks @coblets exactly right

I would hope I am 'on the ball' but I'm looking for something for groundwork and that I can long rein with as well.
I don't need anything for leading thankfully so I don't think a cow halter will work.

Made one on the lines of a Maxwell one using braid line- perfect and cheap!

 

[millitiger]

Made one on the lines of a Maxwell one using braid line- perfect and cheap!

I have a Richard Maxwell control halter- does he do normal rope halters too? I'll have a look, thanks

 

[photo_jo]

I have a Richard Maxwell control halter- does he do normal rope halters too? I'll have a look, thanks

Just the control halter, but then when it's used properly (and you would!), it's just a halter!

 

[Skib]

That is no longer so. I have just looked at Maxwell's site with a list of his merchandise. He now sells two different rope halters. There is his original one, the training halter, which tightens over the nose with a slip knot.
But there is now also a Horseman's halter which from the pic looks much like the Double Diamond I use.
A drawback of the Double Diamond on UK yards is that they have to be knotted when put them on the horse and since they are not the norm in the UK, stable staff who are used to head collars with buckles may not know how to tie the knot.

It is maybe unwise to say this, but I didnt have my rope halter with me last time I did ground work with my share. The yard uses leather head collars, so I led her in her leather head collar. She responded to my hand movement, i.e. a visual cue rather than to any touch of the head collar. People like me may think they are dependent on the equipment their NH teachers have recommended. But if you know the horse and the horse knows you, it turns out that you are not brand dependent. It is stance and gesture.