NEVER LEAVE A ROPE HALTER ON A HORSE THAT IS UNATTENDED. DO NOT TURN OUT A HORSE WEARING A ROPE HALTER. THEY ARE VIRTUALLY UNBREAKABLE SO IF YOUR HORSE GETS CAUGHT ON SOMETHING, SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH COULD RESULT.

Click here to go directly to types of halters

All halters / sidepulls / bitless bridles – regular, extra knots and bosalter (with trimmed noseband) – are hand tied using one continuous length of rope with true double overhand knots throughout the halter and the authentic fiador knot at the chin. Halter loops are sewn or whipped together with waxed polyester cord. Tie end is whipped with waxed polyester cord and dipped in rope sealant for a durable finished end with no metal to hurt you or your horse.

(Many of the pictures on this page are thumbnails so click on them to enlarge the image.)

Your new rope halter should fit snugly at first - that is by design. I measure carefully then tighten the knots by hand. As you use it, your horse (who is much stronger than I am) will tighten the knots further and the halter will become slightly larger. The rope does not stretch, but as the knots get tighter, the halter will get bigger. I allow for this process when I make the halter so it will fit properly after a couple uses and not end up too big.  

Also, by only hand-tightening the knots, you can make any adjustments, if necessary, when you first get your halter. After you have used the halter for a while, the double overhand knots will become so tight that any adjustment will become very difficult. However, the fiador knot under the chin (which is a sign of a well-made halter) will always remain adjustable so the nose opening can be altered if necessary. (Please call and I will walk you through the process of adjusting the knots.)  I sew or whip the halter loops together so any adjustments to the fiador knot will be even. This whipping/tacking, while not intended to be permanent, also serves as a reminder to keep the loops together – never attach lead ropes or reins to just one of the loops as this could destroy the fiador knot.

To clean your rope halter, soak in a bucket of water – add a little soap if really dirty (any laundry detergent will do – it’s polyester … like your clothes!), rub off any dirt that remains, rinse and hang to dry. DO NOT clean halters in a washing machine – the fiador knot could come undone. (Ask about my Repair Service)

Rope Halters (including bosalters, side pull halters and bitless bridle halters) are available in the following sizes: 

Mini (size A & B)

X Small (Yearling, Pony)

Small (Arab, Small Horse)

Medium (Average Horse, Quarter Horse type)

Large (Warmblood)

X Large (Draft)

Custom sizes to fit any horse.

Go to the Measuring Guide & Size Chart to see how to measure your horse to determine what size halter will be the best fit. For custom sizes, please call or email with your horse’s measurements.

Artcraft Braid Rope

This rope is manufactured in the USA and is designed specifically for the equine industry.  It is excellent rope!  This is the rope I use for trainers' product lines and my own equipment.

1/4" Double Braid Polyester – soft

Solid: Black, Tan, Brown, Hunter Green, Burgundy, Blue, Red, Purple, Raspberry*

*raspberry yarn is polypropylene, not polyester

9/32" Double Braid Polyester – soft

Solid: Pink, Navy, 

Neon Green, Neon Orange

Fleck: Hunter Green with Tan, Black with Pink, 

Black with Red

5/16" Halter Cord – semi stiff

Pattern: 

Forrest Combo - hunter green, tan, burgundy 

Patriot Combo - red, white, blue 

Violet Combo - raspberry*, purple, black

*raspberry yarn is polypropylene, not polyester

1/4" Polyester Halter Cord – stiff

Solid:  Black, Tan, Brown, Hunter Green, Burgundy, Blue, Red, Purple, Raspberry*, 

Neon Green, Neon Orange

[Pink - coming soon]

*raspberry yarn is polypropylene, not polyester

3/16" Polyester Halter Cord – stiff

Pattern:  Black/Tan,

Blue/Red, Burgundy/Hunter Green

Clearance Rope

The following rope is now on clearance.  There is nothing wrong with the rope - I am simply reducing my stock to simplify my product line.  Artcraft Braid manufactures excellent rope and cord in such a wide variety of types and colors that eventually I will carry only that brand.  Clearance rope is available while supplies last. 

Ό" Samson Stable Braid – soft

White with Blue Tracer

Ό" Samson Halter Cord – stiff

Solid:  Black, Tan

Ό" RJ Double Braid Polyester – very soft

Solid Tan

6mm (Ό") Accessory Cord – very soft

Solid Black

Ό" RJ Poly/Polyester –soft

Solid: Pink, Purple

Ό" CC Double Braid Polyester – soft

Solid: Blue, Red, Bright Green

5/16" 24 Carrier Halter Cord – semi stiff

Solid:  Black

Click here for more details About the Rope

Lace Options for Custom Trim

Kangaroo Leather Lace: 

Black, Natural, Burgundy, Brown

Calf Leather Lace:  

Black, Medium Brown

1/8" Artcraft Lacing Cord:

Black, Tan, Brown, Hunter Green, Burgundy, Blue, Red, Purple, Raspberry, White, Neon Green, 

 Coming soon: Neon Orange, Silver, Navy, Pink 

1/8" Polypropylene Lacing Cord:

black, white, pacific blue, royal blue, red, yellow, kelly green, navy, maroon, gold, hunter green, pink, purple, raspberry, turquoise, lime

Click here for more details About the Custom Trim

Regular Halters

Extra Knots Halters

2 extra knots in the noseband

Bosalters

a regular halter with braided trim on noseband 

Side Pull Halters

regular or extra knots halters or bosalters with rings tied into the nose knots for attaching reins

Bitless Bridle Halters

with rein straps that criss cross under the jaw

Regular Rope Halters are a great training tool. Because of the thinner rope (relative to a nylon web or leather halter) it will be more uncomfortable for your horse to lean on the halter or ignore your cues. Your horse will be more responsive. Rope halters are also lighter and less bulky than regular halters making them great for wearing under a headstall or folding up into a saddle bag to take along on a trail ride. I make halters in a variety of rope sizes, types and colors – from super soft to very stiff – so you can choose the level of firmness that suits your needs and is best for you and your horse at your particular stage of training. Remember, the thinner the rope and the stiffer the rope, the more aggressive the halter will be.

Halter on 

Mini horse

Prices are subject to change without notice. 

Prices for Regular Halters

Prices are for XS, S, M, L – additional charge for XL & draft sizes

Prices for Regular Mini Halters

Prices are for A and B sizes

Extra Knots Halters (like the ones used by Clinton Anderson) have two additional knots on the noseband. While a regular rope halter is much better for training than a nylon web or leather halter, an extra knots halter adds even more motivation. A stiff halter cord is the usual type of rope used, but extra knots halters can be ordered in any of the rope I carry. Adding extra knots to a soft halter may be all the extra control you need. Or, if you have a very disrespectful horse, a halter made of the thinner, stiffer rope with extra knots will get your message across much better.

Prices are subject to change without notice.

Prices for Extra Knots Halters

Prices are for XS, S, M, L – additional charge for XL & draft sizes

Prices for Extra Knots Mini Halters

Prices are for A and B sizes

Bosalters are regular halters with braided trim on the nose band which is not only decorative but creates a bosal-type nose piece – thus the term "Bosalter". These are great for bitless riding. The braiding stiffens the top of the noseband and at the same time increases the surface area keeping the noseband from constantly digging into the face with the weight of the reins tied to the loops – better release. And what a beautiful way to have unique, customized tack! (Bosalters can also be used as regular halters although they may not be as effective for intensive training with a lead rope.)

The noseband trim is a true braid, not just cord wrapped around the halter rope or simple knots tied along the length. You can choose one or two colors and the type of braiding: Double Weave – the second cord/color follows along beside the first one, or Interweave (Bosal) Braid – the second cord/color is interwoven with the first one. A braided knot on the tie end is included at no extra cost.

Click here for more details About the Custom Trim

Double Weave Braid

Interweave (Bosal) Braid

Prices are subject to change without notice.  

Prices for Bosalters*

Prices are for XS, S, M, L – additional charge for XL & draft sizes

Prices for Mini Bosalters*

Prices are for A and B sizes

*call or email for price of bosalter braided with kangaroo or calf leather lace

Side Pull Halters are versatile pieces of equipment – great for training or bitless riding. Side pull halters are available in regular, extra knots or bosalter styles in any of the halter rope I carry. The side pull halter is constructed in the same way as my regular rope halters except, as I make it, I space the nose knots lower on the sides and tie in rings - solid brass or stainless steel - so reins can be attached. I also make the cheek pieces a bit longer so the noseband fits lower on the nose giving you more leverage. Then I attach an adjustable chin strap to the rings so you can snug up the noseband. This keeps the side pull halter in the correct position and prevents it from riding up the face or sliding around the nose when you engage the reins. You can also use your side pull halter as a regular halter by simply loosening or removing the chinstrap – Versatile!

Extra knots sidepull

 on Brandy

Prices are subject to change without notice.  

Prices for Side Pull Halters - Regular

Prices are for XS, S, M, L – additional charge for XL & draft sizes

Prices for Side Pull Halters - Extra Knots

Prices are for XS, S, M, L – additional charge for XL & draft sizes

Prices for Side Pull Halters - Bosalters*

Prices are for XS, S, M, L – additional charge for XL & draft sizes

*call or email for price of bosalter braided with kangaroo or calf leather lace

Call or email for pricing on Sidepulls for Minis

Bitless Bridle Halters are very versatile pieces of equipment! They are available in regular, extra knots or bosalter styles in any of the halter rope I carry. The Bitless Bridle Halter is constructed in the same way as my regular rope halters except, as I make it, I space the nose knots lower on the sides and tie in solid brass or stainless steel rings there and also in the poll/jaw knots. I then make the rein straps with small snaps spliced into one end and rings tied at the other where reins can be attached. (The rein straps need to be shorter than what is required to make splices in both ends so the rein rings are tied in.) These rein straps are then threaded through the nose knot rings, crisscross under the jaw and snap to the opposite side poll/jaw knot rings. I add an adjustable chin strap to snug up the noseband. This keeps the bridle in the correct position and prevents it from riding up the face or sliding around the nose when you engage the reins. This set-up works best when the rein straps are threaded through the nose knot rings from the front (nose) toward the back (ears).

Bitless bridle halters work by applying pressure to parts of the head. With the straps crisscrossed under the jaw, when you pick up on your left rein, the pressure is felt on the right side of the face and the horse learns to yield away from that pressure - you are pushing his head, not pulling it. When you pick up on both reins, the straps tighten from both sides and pressure is felt over the poll and under the jaw. This gives you more contact and leverage and thus more stopping power than a simple side pull provides. Since the action of a bitless bridle is different than what your horse is probably used to, please introduce this new equipment slowly. Some people think bitless bridles transmit too much information and confuse the horse; others love it and find their horse to be very "light" when using it. Since my rope version is much less expensive than the leather version, it’s a good way to try it out without investing a lot of money. And you can always use my version in different ways if the original set-up doesn’t work for you or your horse.

You can attach the rein straps through the nose knot rings and up to the poll/jaw knot rings on the same side – without crisscrossing them underneath. Or you can remove the chin strap and thread the rein straps through the nose knot rings, making an "Indian Bosal" where the noseband tightens when you pull with both reins. Or you can remove the rein straps completely and attach your reins directly to the nose knot rings and use it as a side pull halter. And of course, you can always remove everything and use it as a regular halter. Like I said – a very versatile piece of equipment!

   Bitless bridle on Cowboy

Prices are subject to change without notice.  

Prices for Bitless Bridle Halters - Regular

Prices are for XS, S, M, L – additional charge for XL & draft sizes

Prices for Bitless Bridle Halters - Extra Knots

Prices are for XS, S, M, L – additional charge for XL & draft sizes

Prices for Bitless Bridle Halters - Bosalters*

Prices are for XS, S, M, L – additional charge for XL & draft sizes

*call or email for price of bosalter braided with kangaroo or calf leather lace

Call or email for pricing on Bitless Bridles for Minis

Add custom trim to your halter, bosalter, side pull halter, or bitless bridle halter to make it uniquely yours!  I can add knots and/or braided trim on the cheek pieces to coordinate with the noseband braiding of your bosalter or to spruce up a regular or extra knots halter, side pull halter or bitless bridle halter.  Choose lacing cord or fine leather lace - kangaroo or calf leather.  Color choices are shown in the rope options section at the top of the page.  The knots available for cheek piece trim and tie end buttons are priced below.  Here are some pictures of custom trim on halters, but feel free to use your imagination!

Click here for descriptions and more details About the Custom Trim

Lace Options for Custom Trim

Kangaroo Leather Lace: 

Black, Natural, Burgundy, Brown

Calf Leather Lace:  

Black, Medium Brown

1/8" Artcraft Lacing Cord:

Black, Tan, Brown, Hunter Green, Burgundy, Blue, Red, Purple, Raspberry, White, Neon Green, 

 Coming soon: Neon Orange, Silver, Navy, Pink 

1/8" Polypropylene Lacing Cord:

black, white, pacific blue, royal blue, red, yellow, kelly green, navy, maroon, gold, hunter green, pink, purple, raspberry, turquoise, lime

Cheek Piece Trim Options with Prices

The following options and prices are for knots braided on  1/4" or 9/32" rope - there may be some differences for the larger 5/16" diameter halter cord.  Some trim is not available with leather lace.  Prices are for each knot.  So for trim on both sides of your halter, you will need to order 2 of each.  

Note:  Kangaroo and calf leather lace is finer - thinner and not quite as wide as the lacing cord - so they end up smaller than knots made with lacing cord.  In order to get the same coverage and length, the knots have to be braided with more parts and bites.  This of course takes more time and material and with the leather lace being much more expensive per foot to begin with, trim braided with kangaroo and calf leather lace will cost quite a bit more.  It is quite stunning, though!

Prices are subject to change without notice.  

Mini Ring Knot   

For each knot:

$ 2.50    Lacing Cord

2 small ring knots - lacing cord

Spanish Ring Knot   

For each knot:

$ 6.00    Kangaroo Leather

$ 5.50    Calf Leather

Calf leather lace on left in brown

Kangaroo lace on right in natural

Headhunter Ring Knot   

For each knot:

$ 6.00    Kangaroo Leather

$ 5.50    Calf Leather

Calf leather lace on left in brown

Kangaroo lace on right in natural

Small Turkshead Knot

about 3/4" long

For each knot:

$ 3.50    Lacing Cord, 4p3b double weave

Small Herringbone Knot   

about 3/4" long

For each knot:

$ 3.50    Lacing Cord, 4p3b interweave

Small Cowboy Knot

Double weave or interweave, 2p2b

For each knot:

$ 4.00    Lacing Cord, about 1 1/4" long

$ 6.00    Kangaroo Leather, about 1" long

$ 5.50    Calf Leather, about 1" long

Lacing Cord - Double weave

Medium Cowboy Knot

Double weave or interweave, 4p2b

For each knot:

$ 7.50    Lacing Cord, about 3" long

$12.00   Kangaroo Leather, about 2 1/4" long

$10.50    Calf Leather, about 2 1/4" long

Lacing Cord - Double weave

Long Cowboy Knot

Double weave or interweave, 6p2b

For each knot:

$ 12.00  Lacing Cord, about 4 1/2 - 5" long

$ 18.00  Kangaroo Leather, about 3 1/2" long

$ 15.50  Calf Leather, about 3 1/2" long

Lacing Cord - Double weave

Kangaroo Lace - Interweave

Extra Long Cowboy Knot

Double weave or interweave, 8p2b

For each knot:

$ 17.50    Lacing Cord, about 6 1/2" long

$ 24.00    Kangaroo Leather, about 5" long

$ 20.50    Calf Leather, about 5" long

Kangaroo Lace - Interweave

Kangaroo Lace - Double weave

These Turkshead and Herringbone knots can also be used as individual knots on the noseband - around 2 strands of rope.

Note:  A tie end button is included on all bosalters at no charge.  

Turkshead Button (5p4b)

$5.00   Lacing Cord

$9.00   Kangaroo Leather

$7.50   Calf Leather

Herringbone Button (5p4b)

  $6.00   Lacing Cord

$10.00   Kangaroo Leather

  $8.50   Calf Leather

Turkshead

Herringbone

Pineapple Knot Button (5p)

$10.50   Lacing Cord

$15.50   Kangaroo Leather

$14.00   Calf Leather

Kangaroo (5p)

Lacing Cord (5p)

I now have heat shrink tubing labels available for halters.  Add your horse's name to "horse-alize" his or her tack.  Or have your name printed on the label for security purposes - great if you board at a large facility where items tend to "disappear".  Trainers can have their own private label to identify their business and specify halter sizes.  Y Knot Rope Tack halters, side pull halters, etc.  have a label on the poll strap (off side) identifying my brand. 

I will need to know if you want a personalized label on your equipment and where you want it when you place your order.  Your label can be placed anywhere, depending on the size of the rope, but the usual places are centered on the cheek piece, near the tie loop on the jaw piece, on the poll strap near the off side knot, or just above the tie end button.

Available only in white with black printing, in 2 sizes:

3/8" diameter for the cheek or jaw piece (around 1 strand of rope) - 1 or 2 lines of text (3 lines are possible but will be very small).  This label must be put on the rope as I make the halter - I cannot add it later. This diameter is also used on one strand of the poll strap of halters made with 5/16" cord and must be put on before the tie end is finished.

1/2" diameter for poll strap (around 2 strands of rope) - up to 3 lines of text.  I can add this label after the halter is made (1/4" rope only) as long as the tie end is finished with the waxed cord whipping.  It must be put on before I braid any button knot on the tie end.

Price is $1.50 per label for lengths up to 1 1/2".  Call for pricing on longer labels or logo, etc.