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A Practical Rope Halter for Cattle 1

J.E. Pace2

Rope halters are necessary on farms where cattle are kept. Although not as elaborate as some rope halters, you can make a very practical, serviceable and inexpensive halter by using hog rings. These rings and the special pliers used to clamp them on the rope can be secured from any hardware or farm supply store.

By following the directions given below you can make a halter in a matter of minutes. ( Figure 1 )

Figure 1 .
The equipment needed to make a rope halter described in this leaflet is as follows:

  1. Yardstick for measuring rope.
  2. Three-ply rope, one-half of an inch in diameter, for making halters for yearlings and mature cattle. Three ply rope, three-eighths of an inch in diameter, for making calf halters.
  3. Hog rings. (Shoat size for one-half inch rope and pig size for three-eighths inch rope).
  4. Pliers for attaching rings on rope.
  5. Tape for wrapping ends of rope. It may be either plastic electrician's tape or friction tape.

INSTRUCTIONS

Measure 13 feet of rope. ( Figure 2 )

Figure 2 .
Attach a hog ring just beyond the 13 foot measurement. This will prevent the coil end of the rope from unraveling. ( Figure 3 )

Figure 3 .
Approximately one inch from where the ring was attached on the coil end, attach two rings close together and in opposite directions. ( Figure 4 )

Figure 4 .
The 13 feet of rope with hog rings attached. Note two rings on one end and one ring on the other end. ( Figure 5 )

Figure 5 .
Wrap each end with tape. This prevents the rope from unraveling and covers the rings. ( Figure 6 )

Figure 6 .
The first step in making the halter is to measure the nose piece. The nose piece should be 18 inches for mature cattle, 14 to 16 inches for yearlings and 12 inches for calves. In measuring the nose piece, use the end of the rope that has two hog rings. ( Figure 7 )

Figure 7 .
At the correct measurement for the nose piece, twist the rope in opposite directions and lift one strand. A large nail or wooden peg sharpened on one end can be inserted under the raised strand. ( Figure 8 )

Figure 8 .
After the strand has been raised, pull the long end of the rope through the opening. This is the first step in forming the eye of the halter. ( Figure 9 )

Figure 9 .
The size of the eyes should not be more than one and one-half times the diameter of the rope. Pull the long end of the rope through the opening until it fits tightly. ( Figure 10 )

Figure 10 .
Just above the partially formed eye, raise one strand and pull the short end of the rope through. This completes the eye. ( Figure 11 )

Figure 11 .
The completed eye of the halter. ( Figure 12 )

Figure 12 .
Grasp the short rope on the taped end with the right hand. Move the left hand stationary and twist end of the rope against the lay with the right hand. This will expose three strands. Twist these strands a half turn. This will form three loops. The largest loop will be away from the end of the rope. ( Figure 13 )

Figure 13 .
Insert the long rope (lead rope) through the loop farthest from the taped end. Then insert it through the other two loops. ( Figure 14 )

Figure 14 .
The lead rope pulled through the three loops. Note that the taped ends of the rope point in the same direction. ( Figure 15 )

Figure 15 .
Pull the lead rope through the three loops, forming the head piece and nose piece. ( Figure 16 )

Figure 16 .
Insert the lead rope through the eye and pull all the way through. ( Figure 17 )

Figure 17 .
The completed halter. ( Figure 18 )

Figure 18 .

Footnotes

1. This document is Circular 247, one of a series of the Department of Animal Science, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. Reprinted March, 1996. Please visit the FAIRS Website at http://hammock.ifas.ufl.edu.

2. J.E. Pace, Retired Professor, Extension Beef Specialist, Department of Animal Science, Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, 32611.

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Florida Cooperative Extension Service / Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences / University of Florida / Christine Taylor Waddill, Dean


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