[faroutfax]

I'm looking at buying some more rope to make some more rope halters (especially now that I've figured out the blood knot).

But when I go to see them at hardware stores most of them have fairly low breaking strength, most are under 200lbs. Is that strong enough for a rope halter.

Right now the one that I use on a regualt basis has a breaking strength of about 100lbs but I only use it on my very broke mare. I actually like this because I don't have to worry about cross tying her with it on (we also have twine).

I'm thinking of making some for my younger guys. And if I do need to make a correction I don't want it to snap.

So does anyone know what the breaking stregth should be on a good rope halter?


BW here is Misty modeling her current halter


And Stormy wearing it. Its abit too big for her, it was made for Misty. Which is another reason I want to make them (so I can make sure it fits)

[Kokanee'sQueen]

Check out this link:
It tells you the proper rope to use. I make all my halters, with the only exception being foal and yearling halter - those I make with a heavier rope.
When they have been used in training and get pulled on, I have only had one break - they others simply stretched a little.
I also use them everyday on my OWN horses, and never had an issue.

Good luck!
http://www.naturalhorsesupply.com/tiehalter.shtml

[buck1173]

I tie my own rope halters from climbing rope... I do not expect them to break at all, so I never ever tie and leave, or tie an inexperienced horse, or trailer or turn out in them. I use my rope halters for riding & training and day to day supervised use, and use breakaway halters for all else.

btw, to my knowledge, there isn't a 'blood knot' used in a rope halter - though I certainly may be wrong.

A blood knot is used primarily in fishing - I tie them about 3 dozen times a week during the season: http://www.animatedknots.com/bloodknot/index.php

good luck.

[pinevalley]

Originally Posted by buck1173

btw, to my knowledge, there isn't a 'blood knot' used in a rope halter - though I certainly may be wrong.

A blood knot is used primarily in fishing - I tie them about 3 dozen times a week during the season: http://www.animatedknots.com/bloodknot/index.php

good luck.

You are partially correct. Blood knots are most often used on the old timey bosal hangers, or are seen on saddle strings. But never used on rope halters. They are more or less a decorative knot for attachment, and not used for strength. Here is an example that I found:
http://www.buckarooleather.com/product.php?pid=235