Horse halters and lead ropes are available in a variety of sizes and lengths, and many basic pieces of equipment are made from durable nylon. Compare halters and lead ropes for horses with advice from a riding instructor in this video on equestrian living.
We're going to look at the different types of halters and lead ropes that we might wish to have in our supply and stock, because some do have some different needs and uses. This is our typical, basic nylon halter. It comes often with adjustable areas here on the back or here on the throat latch. It can also come with a snap here that makes it a little easier to put on. I like the basic, simple. We put it on, we have one buckle to contend with. It comes sized, you can get them in what's called cob size, that's for your smaller horse--maybe an Arabian type or a large pony. They come in regular, which is this, and then they come in large, and even in extra large size. They are able to be monogrammed if you wish to, there, and you can attach them to this, a lead rope, which we have several varieties. I really prefer the sound round cotton type, such as this, over the flat nylon. Now what we do want to look at when we purchase a lead rope is are we comfortable with what we call the bull snap? That takes a little bit of practice to be able to insure that you can open it and fasten it with one hand if necessary. You may still be holding your horse and need to do this with one hand. If we're not comfortable with the bull snap, which is a bit sturdier than the classic or simple snap, then we might go to something like that, the simple snap is what many people are a little bit more used to. If I attach the simple snap, I have the same degree of ability to steer and guide this horse, but it may break under duress. This is also a large, cotton kind of a lead rope. They're comfortable in your hands, they're not going to ever tear up your hands similar to like a flat nylon. So I like and prefer to find my soft, cotton lead ropes over anything that's flat or nylon. I don't use chains at the ends of my lead ropes too often, but you can find what we call the stud chain, and that would be a piece of chain attached to here with a hook on the end. Those are good controlling devices if you have unruly horses, but again, if you're looking for something comfortable to your hands, sometimes the chains can be uncomfortable when you don't need them for the control of an unruly horse.
on March 31, 2012, 3:51 am