How to: make a rope halter

When the calves were first born this summer I had a hard time finding a halter that would fit them, since they are so much smaller than standard calves. the only options I could find were either those scratchy polypropylene harnesses you can buy for around $10 at the feed store, that start to crack and splinter rather quickly, or making my own.

In the past Aba had tried to make one for the sheep using a horse harness pattern, but all those knots took up a lot of room and it was simply to bulky for the sheeps head. I scoured the internet looking for plans on how to make a more simplified halter to no avail. Finally I came up with a written description that kinda explained what to do, and then got to work trying to replicate it, which was quite difficult since I had nothing to look at, or follow. Once I figured the first one out I decided to video myself making the next one so if I ever need to make any more I can have a little refresher to jog my memory.

After making and using these halters for a few months I must say they are quite strong, have not cracked or become brittle like the nylon ones and were much cheaper. I think I paid $5 for enough rope to make 2, and I left a really long lead on them, If you were to make a shorter lead it would be even cheaper. The key to making these is the type of rope to use. You need to use a tri-twist nylon rope, not a woven rope or you will not be able to complete the halter, and select the width of the rope based on the size animal you are making it for: a smaller animal will need a thinner rope, and a larger animal a larger one so it does not cut into their face. Also you will need to prep the ends of the rope by burning them to met the nylon and melting the ends together so they will not unravel on you.

These are great for tying animals up, or leading them from place to place with minimal fuss. and we use them on all the animals until we put permenant halters on them ( like on the full grown cows we work with daily).

And with out further ado, here is the video.

~ by Robin on October 29, 2009.