The Great Debate: Rope Halters vs Flat Halters
|
|
I love writing articles on controversial methods in the horse world, not to start arguments, but to make people think about what they are doing and why they are doing it. To start my series I wrote an article on Slant Load vs. Straight Load trailers quite a few months ago; the second installment is a two part article on Rope Halters.
In this article I will compare and contrast rope halters with flat halters. When I say flat I refer to flat 1in to 2in thick made of either leather or nylon. To start us off take the poll strap of a flat halter an pull it across the back of your neck, then take the poll strap of a rope halter and do the same. Can you feel the difference? Keep in mind that the poll is a sensitive part of the horse and that they feel everything much differently than we do.
Pressure
Flat Halter
Pressure applied to a horse’s head with a nylon or leather halter is rather dull and annoying to the horse but not really effective, but also safe and less likely to do physical damage to a horse.
Rope Halter
Pressure applied to a horse’s head with a rope halter can be severe in the wrong hands or effective in the right hands. The rope halter can localize pressure in different places on a horse’s face giving a clearer more distinct signal to the horse or a harsh painful signal causing fear and discomfort.
Looks & Style
Flat Halter
Nylon can be made in so many different colors and styles, and leather can be blinged out and spiffed up.
Rope Halter
Although rope comes in many different colors there are few ways to add bling or decoration without compromising the usefulness and effectiveness of a rope halter. Perhaps that is why people do like the look of them so much, because of their simplicity.
Ease of Use
Flat Halter
Often times flat halters are secured with a simple buckle or snap, making them easy to get on a fussy horse. However, you have to be conscious of the size of your horses head to get one that isn’t uncomfortable for your horse.
Rope Halter
With rope halters you have to learn how to tie a correct knot and learn how to do it quickly if you have a fussy horse. You can add snaps to make it easier but it then compromises both the look and the effectiveness of the halter.
Tying
Flat Halter
Tying a horse in a flat halter is comfortable for the horse. There is relatively no pressure placed on horse’s head unless the horse pulls relatively hard and puts pressure on it. Even then it’s still dull and relatively un harmful.
Rope Halter
Tying a horse in a rope halter is not ideal, because even with just a slight amount of pressure on the rope the horse feels a great deal of pressure on its head. Also any constant pressure on a horse can cause the horse to become desensitized, making the rope halter a very ineffective tool for the very reason people say it works so well. Short sessions tied in a rope halter can improve and retrain what people call “pullers”, horses that pull on their halter or tie until something snaps. Tying a “puller” long term in a rope halter simply masks the symptoms instead of fixing the problems. Never leave a horse unattended and tied in a rope halter. Should a predator or something spook the horse it could freak out past the point of any pressure on the halter calming it down, more than likely the pressure will cause the horse to freak out more until either the halter breaks or the horse does.
Trailering
Flat Halter
You can leave a horse tied long term in a flat halter with little to no side effects. It is also quite easy to add padding and head protection for trailering. Also they come in quick release form in case of an accident.
Rope Halter
Any time the horse moves its head pressure is applied, and the constant vibration of the knots on the horse’s face can desensitize the horse to the pressure. They rarely, if ever, break; your horse or trailer is likely to break first.
Lunging
Flat Halter
Depending on how you lunge you may need to stop and re attach your lunge line as you switch directions. Often times horses will pull, brace, or balance themselves off you as you hold the other end of the lunge.
Rope Halter
As long as you clip to the single loop under the chin you never have to stop as you switch directions. Horse will be less likely to pull, brace or balance themselves off you in a rope halter because the more they pull the more uncomfortable it is for them. I lunged my one gelding in a rope halter twice then switched back to flat and he hasn’t pulled since.
Remember, what is best for your horse is not always what is “cool” in the horse world. Don’t get caught up in the new trends or temporary fads. Do research and make your own decisions about things. Just because your trainer tells you so, doesn’t mean it is. In my next article we will get more in depth on what a rope halter is, how it works, how to use it, and my own opinion on rope halters. If you know of any other controversial horse topics that you’d like to see written about drop me a line and I’ll see what kind of research I can find and if it’s enough to put together an article.
If your interested in more info message me and I can share the sites where I got a lot of my information.
Happy Trails! |
|
|
Southern Devil
Love it girlie!!! I must say, I love a good rope halter, but I've heard that you can also hang a horse if you don't tie them right.... My horse Sully sometimes pulls back on the trailer, everyone tells me to tie him with a rope halter. And I'm like "Lemme think about that.. Yeaa- no!" Lol, they're GREAT for working with weanlings! But I ALWAYS tie my horses with a flat nylon halter. If I tie with a rope halter, then I loop it through, I NEVER tie with one. I'd rather not go with the flow than lose my best horse! Very informative article! You're gifted at writing!!!!
Love it girlie!!! I must say, I love a good rope halter, but I've heard that you can also hang a horse if you don't tie them right.... My horse Sully sometimes pulls back on the trailer, everyone tells me to tie him with a rope halter. And I'm like "Lemme think about that.. Yeaa- no!" Lol, they're GREAT for working with weanlings! But I ALWAYS tie my horses with a flat nylon halter. If I tie with a rope halter, then I loop it through, I NEVER tie with one. I'd rather not go with the flow than lose my best horse! Very informative article! You're gifted at writing!!!!
|
Apr 8, 2012
• 14,828 views
|
|
|
|
Makaela Marie
Great article!
Personally, I tend to use flat halters, but I have used rope halters before.
Great article!
Personally, I tend to use flat halters, but I have used rope halters before.
|
Apr 8, 2012
• 14,436 views
|
|
|
|
Madeirey
Great article! :D I have a rope halter that I use for grooming sometimes. It's just 10x easier to move it a little to trim the bridle path and brush the face. :)
Great article! :D I have a rope halter that I use for grooming sometimes. It's just 10x easier to move it a little to trim the bridle path and brush the face. :)
|
Apr 8, 2012
• 14,724 views
|
|
|
|
Starlight Farm
Personally I say flat halter - they're easier to use, you don't have to worry about pulling on them so much, if you need a clearer signal you can attack a chain shank, and they're easy to lunge in (your horse shouldn't pull anyway). But I understand that some people prefer rope halters.
Personally I say flat halter - they're easier to use, you don't have to worry about pulling on them so much, if you need a clearer signal you can attack a chain shank, and they're easy to lunge in (your horse shouldn't pull anyway). But I understand that some people prefer rope halters.
|
Apr 8, 2012
• 14,849 views
|
|
|
|
Emmurr
Quite a good article, however it was very biased towards flat halter which kind of ruined it for me. Although very well written, and you managed to cover a variety of area in very few words. I look forward to reading the rest of the articles to come :)
Quite a good article, however it was very biased towards flat halter which kind of ruined it for me. Although very well written, and you managed to cover a variety of area in very few words. I look forward to reading the rest of the articles to come :)
|
Apr 8, 2012
• 14,857 views
|
|
|
|
IggyPogo
I personally find two reasons to prefer rope halters: They don't break as easily (which can be a con in certain situations) and they are great to use when riding, whether the halter is under a bridle or actually being used and attached to a lead line when riding. We always always use a flat halter when trailering, though, and tying up the horses for long periods of time. The flat halter's pros definitely outweigh the rope halter's, but I've always preferred the rope's looks (I'm odd LOL) and I like using it when I'm working with Pogo on the ground, but not tying him up of course.
I personally find two reasons to prefer rope halters: They don't break as easily (which can be a con in certain situations) and they are great to use when riding, whether the halter is under a bridle or actually being used and attached to a lead line when riding. We always always use a flat halter when trailering, though, and tying up the horses for long periods of time. The flat halter's pros definitely outweigh the rope halter's, but I've always preferred the rope's looks (I'm odd LOL) and I like using it when I'm working with Pogo on the ground, but not tying him up of course.
|
Apr 8, 2012
• 14,825 views
|
|
|
|
Valkyrie
MOD
I think leather halters are a lot safer to handle a horse with. They're stronger and, when taken care of correctly, the leather is supple enough not to hurt the horse. However you have to be careful what kind of oils you use, as some horses have sensitive skin. And if you oil on the inside of the halter the sun can heat the oil and burn the horse's skin.
In saying that, I've used all three kinds - leather, nylon and rope. The rope ones are handy when I need to just throw a halter on for grooming. But at the moment I use nylon and they're much safer to leave on a horse in the paddock if you need to. I wouldn't dare leave a rope halter on a horse in the paddock.
I think leather halters are a lot safer to handle a horse with. They're stronger and, when taken care of correctly, the leather is supple enough not to hurt the horse. However you have to be careful what kind of oils you use, as some horses have sensitive skin. And if you oil on the inside of the halter the sun can heat the oil and burn the horse's skin.
In saying that, I've used all three kinds - leather, nylon and rope. The rope ones are handy when I need to just throw a halter on for grooming. But at the moment I use nylon and they're much safer to leave on a horse in the paddock if you need to. I wouldn't dare leave a rope halter on a horse in the paddock.
|
Apr 8, 2012
• 14,828 views
|
|
|
|
Topthorn Equestri
Very well written! I see that you are quite partial to flat halters. Which is fine! We are all different. I am no writer that's for sure, but may I suggest that when writing a debate, you may want to try and leave your own opinion out? Which I know is very hard, we all are entitled to our opinions. :)
I use rope halters for most things I do. I think some horses can feel claustrophobic, and lean against the halters more.
I don't use rope halters for trailering. I don't want to take any chances with the knot slipping over a period of time.
Very well written! I see that you are quite partial to flat halters. Which is fine! We are all different. I am no writer that's for sure, but may I suggest that when writing a debate, you may want to try and leave your own opinion out? Which I know is very hard, we all are entitled to our opinions. :)
I use rope halters for most things I do. I think some horses can feel claustrophobic, and lean against the halters more.
I don't use rope halters for trailering. I don't want to take any chances with the knot slipping over a period of time.
|
Apr 8, 2012
• 15,137 views
|
|
|
|
Polish Arabs
Great article! I prefer my flat halters. Haven't used a rope halted in about 7 or 8 yrs. Which was when I was taking lessons. And that's just what they had.
But I like my flat halters because of all the different colors they come in. And also if your horse starts to panic when tied you can easily unsnap the lead. Also the breakaways are amazing!
Could you message me a link to the trailer article? I'd love to read it!
Great article! I prefer my flat halters. Haven't used a rope halted in about 7 or 8 yrs. Which was when I was taking lessons. And that's just what they had.
But I like my flat halters because of all the different colors they come in. And also if your horse starts to panic when tied you can easily unsnap the lead. Also the breakaways are amazing!
Could you message me a link to the trailer article? I'd love to read it!
|
Apr 8, 2012
• 14,840 views
|
|
|
|
Dark Star
I use both, Archie has a flat halter since he's so sinsitive about his head, but Dee will happily wear both. We have tied Dee up and trailered her with rope halters, and there hasn't been one problem with hers. Then again, she's trained to the point she is usually easy to handle on the ground.
I use both, Archie has a flat halter since he's so sinsitive about his head, but Dee will happily wear both. We have tied Dee up and trailered her with rope halters, and there hasn't been one problem with hers. Then again, she's trained to the point she is usually easy to handle on the ground.
|
Apr 8, 2012
• 14,838 views
|
|
|
|
|
Apr 9, 2012
• 14,843 views
|
|
|
|
Sapphire Flames
great article! i prefer flat halters to rope, just because i find them quicker and more effective.
great article! i prefer flat halters to rope, just because i find them quicker and more effective.
|
Apr 9, 2012
• 14,825 views
|
|
|
|
Deleted Accounts
at my stables they tend to just use normal halters but i do like the look of rope ones tbh
at my stables they tend to just use normal halters but i do like the look of rope ones tbh
|
Apr 9, 2012
• 14,864 views
|
|
|
|
Nishant
I love my flat halters because you can customize them to fit you and your horse's personality:) They are also easy to take on and off. The only drawback is that whenever you wast your horse the halter gets soaked.
I love my flat halters because you can customize them to fit you and your horse's personality:) They are also easy to take on and off. The only drawback is that whenever you wast your horse the halter gets soaked.
|
Apr 9, 2012
• 14,907 views
|
|
|
|
|
Apr 9, 2012
• 14,852 views
|
|
|
|
|
Apr 10, 2012
• 14,824 views
|
|
|
|
Cruisin Past Curfew
Nice article! I personally like flat halters better.
Nice article! I personally like flat halters better.
|
Apr 11, 2012
• 14,833 views
|
|
|
|
abb77
meh - i own both ) but i prefer the flat halters and i lunge in a bridle:)
meh - i own both ) but i prefer the flat halters and i lunge in a bridle:)
|
Apr 17, 2012
• 15,070 views
|
|
|
|
Artista
I like them both. I'll take a classy leather or stylish nylon print halter anyday, but rope halters really cannot be challenged in usefulness and training.
I like them both. I'll take a classy leather or stylish nylon print halter anyday, but rope halters really cannot be challenged in usefulness and training.
|
Apr 23, 2012
• 14,856 views
|
|
|
|
RoyalCrownEstates
MOD
Well written and a great article, good job :)
Well written and a great article, good job :)
|
May 5, 2012
• 14,857 views
|
|
|
|
Foxchase Farm
I've always used flat halters myself. Good article!
I've always used flat halters myself. Good article!
|
Aug 3, 2012
• 14,877 views
|
|
|
|
|
More News by ImaCoolCowgirl
|
|
I've been horse crazy for as long as my parents can remember. I used to love going to shows to watch all the pretty horses, which sadly for them, lead to a new dream of not only working with, but owning a horse and eventually show ...
|
|
The stimulation of pressure points is an exact science and unless the halter is tied on obscenely tight that it hits the correct pressure points any time there is pressure on the halter it doesn’t work. The knots do however create ...
|
|
One of the most believed myths in the horse world is that blanketing a horse during the winter will actually keep your horse from growing a winter coat. Blanketing your horse earlier or keeping it in a heated barn has virtually no ...
|
|
I've had a rough week. This past Saturday the horse that taught me to ride had to be put down.
My first encounter with Snowball started at a small theraputic riding stable years before I started working there. A man donated th ...
|
|
Three years ago I started public school, if it wasn’t for them I would have never made it through. Late last fall my parents were separated and I would have never made it through that period if I didn’t have them. These horses are ...
|
|
A fictional story my mother wrote for me based on my work with theraputic riding and my first horse Freckles.
He steps forward. The muscles tense and bulge under the tight skin. His compact powerful legs have propelled him ov ...
|
|
Two weeks ago I heard a lot of crying, and a lot of whispering. But I never saw what anyone and no one ever came to feed me, or give me water. I peered through the bars into the stall next to me. Maze was looking worse. She was ly ...
|
|
Last summer I was Googleing random horse pictures and came across some neat pictures of riders shooting on horse back. Naturally I try to learn everything that I can about horses and I came across the really amazing sport called C ...
|
|
|