Featured today in the AQHA 's "" American Horse Daily email that I receive as part of my membership, was a snippet on the use of the rope halter and lead as a training device. I'm happy that the AQHA promoting and explaining the benefits of the rope halter in their publication "101 Horsmanship tips" (available for sale) as my rope halters and various leadlines are probably the most valuable tools/equipment that I own. I only wish AQHA would have included a warning in the email that the rope halter is what they say, a training device, and not intended to be left on your horse in their stall or pasture. Even though web halters and breakaway halters are not safe, rope halters are especially dangerous since they are designed to never break. If a horse gets his halter caught on something, it is virtually impossible for a horse to escape.
While their are many tools of the trade that are just as dangerous or cruel to horses, I feel particularly compelled to comment on the rope halter. It is my way of feeling of and for the horse. These halters are becoming quite the fad as I can't even count the number of times I've seen fellow boarders and horse owners happily come back from the Quarter Horse Congress, Tractor supply, even back from a trainers, with their new lovely rope halter, put them on Ole Trigger, Ginger, or Bucky and send them out to pasture to show off their stylish head gear. What irks me is that so many of these people are not informed on the proper use of a rope halter and that many manufacturers do not provide a warning that rope halters are a training, handling device, and not intended for turn-out. It seems this would be a no brainer, but many people are inexperienced, first time owners who put these things on their horses heads thinking it's a more humane and natural alternative to a halter, when if fact, it could be the most dangerous piece of tack in the barn.
