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Rope Halter Info & Fit

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Rope Halter Info & Proper Fit

      We have several styles of rope halters available. From yacht braid rope, halter cord and accessory cord to different diameters of diamond braid rope. We're sure to have the right halter for all your needs.


         Rope halters are great for training as they work off pressure points on the nose and poll. The smaller and stiffer the diameter of rope, the more uncomfortable it is for the horse to lean on. You'll be surprised at the quick response your horse will have.


         The Fiador knot at the chin offers added strength to the halter and makes it easier to adjust. The lovers knots are rounder, making it more uncomfortable for a horse to lean on. These halters are virtually indestructible, so we don’t recommend leaving these halters on in the field, as these halters won’t break if your horse gets caught up in something.


         Halter cord, yacht braid, and accessory cord are the best ropes we have available. Many of today's top natural trainers use these ropes. These are made from polyester, not cheap nylon that can burn and fray. You won't find a better product.


         Halter cord, because of it's stiffness has more 'bite', and is great for average to stubborn horses. The accessory cord, because of it's small diameter also has more 'bite', and is again great for average to stubborn horses. The yacht braid is softer and has a slicker outer sleave, making it great for sensitive, thin skinned horses, while still being very effective.


         Our 5/16” & 1/4" diamond braids are by far the nicest diamond braids I've seen. Very strong, stiffer and in a wide variety of beautiful patterns and colors. Both of our diamond braids are custom made for us here in the U.S.A. These color/patterns we came up with, so most, if not all, you'll only find here!

Proper rope halter fit is very important.


          While buying the right size is very important, it’s easy to make sizing more difficult than it is :) The BEST and most accurate way to determine size, is to go by what size halter your horse currently wears. Our ten main sizes match up really well with nylon halters. Here are the main size guide lines:


Large Draft - Larger draft breeds, such as Clydesdales

Draft - Average draft, large draft crosses and larger Warmbloods

Warmblood - Warmbloods, most draft crosses & 15h+ Donkeys/Mules

Large Horse - Larger horses, TWH, and a lot of 15h Donkeys/Mules

Standard Horse - The average horse, and 14h Donkeys/Mules

Cob - Small horses, large ponies, refined Arabs, older/larger yearlings

Medium Pony - Medium sized ponies (10-12.2h), younger yearlings and older weanlings

Weanling/Sm. Pony - Weanlings 3+ months, small ponies

Foal/Mini -Foals up to about 3 months, most minis & other small ponies

Newborn - Brand new foals, smaller minis

Suckling - Brand new, smaller foals


       If you’re still unsure of size, or if you need a custom halter for your donkey or mule, here are two measurements you can take. Make sure to keep the measuring tape straight and taut. Then just email the measurements to us, and we can tell you what size you'll need.

      Using a fabric measuring tape, measure the nose's entire circumference.  Start about an inch below one cheek bone, and measure all the way around the nose, back to the same cheek bone.  Be sure to keep the measuring tape, taut.    <-----

rope halter, fit
rope halter, fit
diamond braid, rope halter

     To take the poll measurement, start at the very edge of one cheek bone (where it curves down into the nose), and measure across the poll, to the bottom edge of the other cheek bone. Once you’ve measured, please email your measurements- info@sunsethalters.com

     Satin is shown here with proper halter fit. You want the noseband knot no more than an inch underneath the cheek bone. The throat latch knot should be right at the horses’ throat latch, not hanging down the underside of the jaw.


      You don’t want your horses halter to sag on him/her. It’s less effective, and can cause the halter to slide around on the face, causing rubbing issues.

         You also need to make sure you tie the poll strap with the correct knot-- the latch knot. Hold the loop up on your halter, bring the poll strap end through the back of the loop, then around the back to the right, and up and underneath the first part of the poll strap. Be sure to pull it snug! If this is tied incorrectly, your horse could pull back, and be out of his halter. Or he could just make the halter loose enough to chew on. All halters come with the tie off already tied correctly. Even if a horse pulls back,simply move the halter loop back towards your horse, and this will loosen the latch knot.  Tied correctly, the latch knot will not loosen, until you loosen it.

rope halter, tie off, latch knot
rope halter, tie off, latch knot
rope halter, tie off, latch knot

1. Through the loop.

2. Around the back.

3. Under the first part of knot

Since 1999