How to Make Simple Horse Training Equipment

Any horse that will be used for either English or Western style riding needs to be trained. Humans have been training horses for domestic use for thousands of years and have a wide variety of methods and equipment used to do this. All horse training equipment must be strong, flexible and durable. However, it does not need to be fancy, expensive and store-bought to be effective.

Instructions

Difficulty: Challenging

Gather Equipment

1. Make a list of the equipment that you need and divide the items into groups based on the required strength of the material. If it will be in direct contact with the horse, the material used must be to be waterproof and durable.
2. Purchase 1/4" nylon double braided rope that is rot and mildew resistant for halters and related items. Rope is easy to modify to meet different needs.
3. Measure your horse just above the nose but below the cheekbone to determine how much rope is needed to make a simple rope halter. A small pony measures approximately 20 inches and requires 18 feet of rope. A standard quarter horse measures approximately 24 inches and will need 22 feet.

Create a Halter

4. Form a loop 1/2 an inch larger than the horses nose and tie two double overhand knots, half the distance of the horses nose apart, so that the rope is doubled. Ensure there are two equal pieces of rope hanging off each side.
5. Measure the distance from where the nose loop will sit to the base of the throat. Combine two pieces of rope here, and fasten using an overhand knot.
6. Tie another knot just below the right ear, connecting one piece of rope from the nose loop and one from the throat latch. Repeat on the left side.
7. Hold both pieces of rope from the right ear knot and tie to the left ear knot, using a latch knot. Twist or braid the remaining rope together so that it doesn't fray.

Finish a Lunge Line

8. Make a training or lunge line using nylon rope and cutting it to a length of 25 to 30 feet. Attached a brass clip to one end and braid the rope to secure it.
9. Measure 10 feet and tie a double knot. from the other end. Tie another knot at 5 feet and 1 foot distance from the end of the rope.
10. Tie a double knot three times over. The purpose of the knots is to provide an indicator to the trainer of how much rope is left and the size of the training circle.