Best Rope Halters Guide

• About
• Latest Posts

Maddy Chiffey

Maddy has been riding horses since she was a child. She started attending riding classes with a friend a quickly fell in love with the animals and the sport. She would go on to compete in eventing before becoming a trainer and instructor. Now Maddy has several horses that she trains, but her biggest joy is seeing the ex-racehorses she re-trains find a loving home where they can enjoy their retirement in peace with plenty of love. Maddy's love of horses runs deep, and as a freelance writer with years of experience, she loves being able to showcase that love in her articles while helping you find what you are looking for.

Latest posts by Maddy Chiffey (see all)

• Best Antibiotics for Horse Wounds: What to Expect When Your Horse Has an Injury - September 20, 2023
• Bronco vs Mustang Horse: Are They the Same? - September 8, 2023
• Thoroughbred vs Quarter Horse - September 8, 2023

This rope halters guide should be useful if you’re looking to replace your current rope halter or are new to equestrian life and want to know more about this product.

Rope halters have their own set of benefits and some possible drawbacks. I’m also aware of some of the controversy surrounding this product and the importance of ensuring you find and fit the most suitable rope halter for your horse.

Durability, longevity, and the brand reputation of the halter are essential considerations you should take note of. These equestrian items are not made equally, and in my guide, I’m going to uncover what I think are the best rope halters in the industry.

Eager to get going? Here’s a brief overview of my findings.

My Bottom Line Up Front

I believe the Weaver Leather Silvertip Four Knot Rope Halter to be the Goldilocks of rope halters, with the delicate balance between stiff and soft perfectly met. I love how comfortable this halter is for horse and hand, and I think it is excellent value for money.

At a Glance: 5 Best Rope Halters

• Weaver Leather Silvertip Four Knot Rope Halter – #1 Top Pick
• Weaver Leather Diamond Braid Rope Halter – Top Budget Pick
• Knotty Girlz Horse Rope Training Halter
• CHALLENGER Nylon Horse Braided Rope Halter
• Weaver Leather Silvertip Rope Halter with Lead

What is a Rope Halter?

Rope halters basically consist of a thin rope knotted into a harness. You can also find polypropylene or nylon materials because these are equally as robust as rope. Some rope halters will include wrapped nosebands for additional comfort, and all should offer a good level of flexibility.

A rope halter will generally have a loop that sits underneath the chin of the horse, where you will attach a lunge line or lead rope.

Benefits and Drawbacks of Rope Halters

Pretty much anyone who works with or owns horses will find a rope halter to be a highly versatile bit of kit.

With a little practice – and more patience – rope halters are straightforward to tie on any horse that enters the barn. While there are a number of uses for rope halters, such as for leading and guiding, their primary use is for communication during training or riding.

Many trainers find that rope halters are the ideal way to control a horse throughout any form of activity. A rope halter needs to fit the horse perfectly for it to be the most effective, and once this is achieved, most owners find an increased bond with their animal and a better connection.

However, rope halters aren’t everyone’s go-to piece of equipment, as they are very much focused on the pressure and release style of natural horsemanship, which isn’t to the liking of every trainer. Additionally, rope halters are strong and shouldn’t be confused with head collars, which can be left on a horse or used to tie a horse to a trailer.

Finding the Right Rope Halter

Rope halters are very basic compared to other types of harnesses like leather reins and breakaways. They’re basically a piece of rope, but it is essential to make the right buying decision to ensure it will be an effective piece of equipment and, more importantly, so it doesn’t cause injury or upset to the horse.

Here are a few things to consider:

Size

It is vital that the rope halter fits the horse properly for you to be able to gain full control over the animal and to prevent injuries. While most rope halters will come in a one-size-fits-all and be fully adjustable, I would still urge you to get the correct size for your horse before ordering this item.

You can do this in the following four steps:

• Put a side of the measurer at around the halfway mark between the horse’s nostril and cheekbone, then wrap it over the nose to the other side. Take a note of this (noseband) part of the head.
• Take the measurement from the same spot (between the nostril and cheekbone) and wrap it underneath the head to find an accurate measurement for the bottom part of the noseband.
• The next step is to put the measurer below the cheekbone on the side of the head and wrap this around to the other side of the face. This will tell you the measurement for the crown piece of the halter.
• And finally, place the end of the measurer near the top of the larynx part of the neck behind the horse’s eyes. Take down the measurement from below the throat.

If you’re still unsure, there are many video tutorials to help you with finding the measurements of your horse’s head, or you could enlist the help of a professional in your area.

Soft of Stiff

Some riders prefer stiff rope halters because they are sharper and more precise. While there is some truth to this, I would always go for softer rope purely for the horse’s comfort. The onus really is on improving communication between person and animal. For this to be mutual, I believe the animal has to feel comfortable and not respond out of fear.

It is worth looking further into this, as it’s a pretty big debate with strong opinions on both sides. I can only tell you my preference. However, soft and stiff as a selection process is something to consider, and to know this, one should look at the materials used. For example, cotton will be softer and nylon a little stiffer.

Top Tip: Knotty Girlz has a rope sample bundle available to buy so you can feel the difference for yourself.

Durability

Again, for the durability of the rope, you need to look at the materials used. Additionally, the thickness is important.

Warranty

Suppose you choose a rope halter that just doesn’t suit. In that case, you’re going to want your money back. So, it is best to look for a reputable brand with a good exchange or refund policy.

Additionally, the length of the warranty can be a determining factor. For me, the more generous it is, the more faith that the company has in its products.

Consumer Feedback

When buying any product online, the best asset you have is the experience of verified consumers. Look for what people are saying; the good, and the bad, then you can form a more educated decision about the best rope halter for your needs.

My Product Criteria

As with any feature I am asked to do, I want to ensure I have complete faith in the products I choose to review for readers. And this is no different here. To give me this confidence for rope halters, these are the things I was looking for:

Price

Fundamentally, this item is a piece of rope. I wanted to ensure that every rope halter I liked the look of was priced reasonably before I went further with it.

To feel confident with pricing, I looked at the material, manufacturing process, and the brand. There are some price differences, but I am satisfied that readers with all budgets will find an affordable halter here.

Feedback

As highlighted above, feedback online is incredibly valuable. While it would be naive to trust all of it, it’s wise to look for the general consensus. I wanted to ensure that I wasn’t the only one confident in my chosen rope halters, so I made sure there were lots of positive – and accessible – reviews for them, too.

Brand

Sometimes it makes sense to stick with big brands; other times, you’re merely paying for a logo or name. With rope halters, there are some major players here, but there are also some lesser-known brands that aren’t getting the recognition they deserve. I have included halters from both groups, providing they met my above criteria.

My 5 Best Rope Halters

Weaver Leather Silvertip Four Knot Rope Halter – #1 Top Pick

Leather is a super comfortable material for horses to wear, but more than this, it is one of the most durable and high-quality types of rope halters out there. The Weaver Leather Silvertip Four Knot Rope Halter is no exception.

This one-piece construction has been hand-tied in Ohio, US, by Weaver, a brand known for its excellent equestrian products. The consumer feedback is excellent for this, and with so many sizes and color options, there’s plenty of variety to ensure everyone can find a suitable halter.

I like the slim, non-bulky fit and was surprised at the strength – you can easily control a powerful buck with very little material. The stiffness feels within the medium range, so this Goldilocks of rope halters is a fine balance for those who don’t want too soft or too stiff!

The price of the Weaver Leather Silvertip Four Knot Rope Halter varies, from $25.99 to $57.05, and there are free returns available on some colors and sizes.

Pros

• Hardwearing
• Comfortable
• Different Size and Color Options
• Trusted Brand
• Made in the US
• Great Online Feedback
• Free Returns Available

Cons

• Can Be Costly

Weaver Leather Diamond Braid Rope Halter – #1 Top Budget Pick

With plenty of change out of $20, the Weaver Leather Diamond Braid Rope Halter is a great budget pick from a top American brand. However, it is important to note that Weaver themselves call this rope’ economy,’ so it will not be the most durable around.

The Weaver Leather Diamond Braid Rope Halter is hand-knotted in the US from a continuous piece of poly rope and features a comfortable crown strap and double noseband. It is available in six different colors, with the cheaper options being just over $13.

I found this rope halter to be extremely soft, with lots of give. For short-term training or to be used intermittently, it’s a good choice, but if you need something that will stand the test of time, then it may be best to look at other options.

However, free returns are available, so there’s little harm in trying if you’re particularly taken with a color choice.

Pros

• Branded Halter for $13
• Free Returns
• Lots of Color Options

Cons

• Maybe a Little Too Soft
• Not the Most Durable
• Some Highly Critical Reviews

Knotty Girlz Horse Rope Training Halter

With multiple size options, ranging from mini to large (with everything else in between), the Knotty Girlz Horse Rope Training Halter will come in the perfect size for you. Plus, there are an incredible twenty color options, so every preference is truly catered to.

If you wish to purchase the matching double braided horse rope lead, it’s worth noting that this is only available in ten colors. 

The Knotty Girlz rope halter is made from premium stiff polyester, which results in a super durable halter that stands up well to harsh weather conditions, and has excellent longevity. For my liking, it is a little too stiff, but this does mean it holds its form well and can be better suited to more stubborn or difficult-to-manage horses.

There are knots on key pressure points for training, and the halter is cited as effective by most consumers – one even comparing it to rope halters by much more expensive brands.

Pros

• American Materials and American Manufacturing
• Durable and Holds Form Well
• Multiple Size and Color Options
• Good Value for Money
• Matching Lead Available

Cons

• It May be too Stiff for Some.

CHALLENGER Nylon Horse Braided Rope Halter

Now for something a little special. If you have ever looked at your horse and felt they lack a little ‘je ne sais quoi,’ then a jazzy rope halter with real beads could be the answer! The reviews are fantastic for this one, too. The CHALLENGER Nylon Horse Braided Rope Halter is a beautiful piece of equipment that is the height of horse fashion in the field! Plus, it works very well, too!

I found the rope to be slightly thicker than most, which can mean it’ll be more durable, but it also means those knots are a little tougher to tie. The material feels soft yet sturdy and is straightforward to use with immediate effectiveness.

The main advantage for me has to be the beauty of the rope. It is so well designed, and the noseband is so pretty – quite unlike the mundane everyday block color options. It also comes with a matching 10-foot lead and is under $30.

Pros

• Truly Beautiful Designs
• Great Value for Money
• Matching Lead Included

Cons

• The Rope is Quite Thick, Making Tying Knots Tricky

Weaver Leather Silvertip Rope Halter with Lead

Coming in fourteen different colors, including some truly stunning options (I particularly like the gray/silver/lavender/pink!) is the highly regarded – and best selling – Weaver Leather Silvertip Rope Halter with Lead. This piece of kit is flying off the shelves at the moment and has some of the best reviews I have found.

Again, another Weaver product, this all-American made rope halter is built to last. I found it to be extremely comfortable on the hands and the horse and to feel more lightweight than some. There are some minor fraying issues over time, but this is to be expected.

Prices are around $40 to $60; color depending. A drawback is that delivery can take some time – up to 10-days for some designs. However, ordering is simple, and free returns are available.

Pros

• Lovely Color Options
• Strong Lead (10-feet) Included
• All-American Made
• Lightweight
• Comfortable
• Free Returns Available
• Online Best Seller

Cons

• Delivery Can Take Over a Week
• Some color options go quite quickly and aren’t always in stock

FAQs

Recap of the Best Rope Halters

If I were looking to buy a new rope halter, I would be happy to use any of the five I have recommended in this guide. My top choice would be the Weaver Leather Silvertip Four Knot Rope Halter, predominantly because I found the stiffness to be pretty perfect.

I found it to be remarkably durable and liked the variety of color options. However, it is a pricey choice.

My top budget pick is the Weaver Leather Diamond Braid Rope Halter. With this halter, you get the same expert craftsmanship and all-American manufacturing as you do with the Leather Silvertip, but as Weavers economy version, it is a little less durable; and a little less costly.

If you’re looking for a different color for pretty much every day of the month, then the Knotty Girlz Horse Rope Training Halter has an incredible twenty color options and one of the largest size ranges I have found. For me, this rope halter is a little too stiff, but if that’s what you’re looking for, it could be a perfect choice.

The Knotty Girlz Rope Halter is comparable to much more expensive brands and withstands harsh weather conditions better than most.

Suppose image is everything. In that case, I would have to suggest the truly beautiful CHALLENGER Nylon Horse Braided Rope Halter. Visually, this rope halter is stunning.

But, more than this, it’s highly effective, too. This halter comes with a matching lead and is under $30, which makes it incredible value for money.