LEAD THE WAY: Making a rope halter

1. LEAD THE WAY:Making a rope halter

2. Splicing to make a Livestock Halter • A rope halter is useful for handling livestock. • There are several methods of making a rope halter

3. Materials Needed • 3/8” X 10’ piece of 3-strand rope • Tape

4. The following procedure is used for making a rope halter: • STEP 1 – Prepping the Rope • Prepare your 10’ piece of rope by wrapping tape around each strand, for a total of 6 taped ends.

5. Splicing to make a Livestock Halter • STEP 2 – Prepping the Rope • Number the strands 1, 2 & 3 by writing on the masking tape.

6. STEP 3 – Tying a Crown Knot • Unlay the rope about five turns (about 6-7”). Position the rope and strands as shown and cross strand #2 over and behind the loop formed by strand #1.

7. STEP 4 – Tying a Crown Knot • With strands #1 and #2 in position as shown, pass strand 3 over Strand #2 and under strand #1.

8. STEP 5 – Tying a Crown Knot • Using moderate pressure tighten the crown knot by pulling on the ends of strands #1,2 and 3 until a uniform knot is formed.

9. STEP 6 – Making a Crown Splice (illustration A) • Begin the crown splice with a crown knot (steps 1-4). The three free strands should be 6” long.

10. STEP 7 – Making a Crown Splice Spread the strands of rope by untwisting slightly and holding the strands apart with your left forefinger. Weave the free strand (#1 in the illustration) over the nearest strand to the point where it merges from the crown knot, and then simply weave over and under as shown. The weaving of the free strands may be done alternately or each strand may be woven its entire length before going on to the next strand. The main point to remember is that no two strands go over or under the same strand.

11. STEP 8 – Making a Crown Splice When all strands have been woven about five inches along the body of the rope, cut off the ends of the free strands flush with the sides of the rope. Roll the splice between your palms (as if you were rolling play-dough) several times to “set” the strands.

12. STEP 9 – Making an Eye Splice Unlay the end of the rope until you have about 6” of free strands. Position the rope and free strands as shown.

13. STEP 10 – Making an Eye Splice • Pass strand #1 under a strand of the main rope at any point that gives the loop or eye size you desire (for this project a 1” eye will be sufficient). Pull strand #1 until snug.

14. STEP 11 – Making an Eye Splice • Pass strand #2 over the strand that strand #1 is under and under the next strand.

15. STEP 12 – Making an Eye Splice • Work strand #1 and #2 over to one side to make room for strand #3to be brought down and passed over the strand that strand #2 is under. Strand #3 must come “out” of the rope at the same spot on the same spot where strand #1 went in

16. STEP 13 – Making an Eye Splice • The weaving of the strands in the eye splice is the same as in the crown splice as far as the procedure and finishing are concerned. • Weave strand #1 over the nearest strand to the point where it merges from the eye splice, and then simply weave over and under as illustrated before in step #5. • The weaving of the free strands may be done alternately or each strand may be woven it’s entire length before going on to the next strand. • The main point to remember is that no two strands go over or under the same strand.

17. STEP 14 – Making a Loop Splice (illustration A) • With the eye slice to the right, grasp the rope with the left hand about 12” from the eye. Untwist the rope with the right hand, and raise two strands. Pass the eye beneath the two strands towards you as in illustration A. Pull the eye through until the rope forms a second eye of about the same size.

18. STEP 14 – Making a Loop Splice (illustration B) • Hold the second eye in the left hand. With the right hand, untwist the rope that leads to the first eye, and raise two strands near the second eye as in illustration B

19. STEP 14 – Making a Loop Splice (illustrations C) • Pass the long end of the rope beneath the two strands away from you as in illustration C. • The two eyes should be about 8” apart, which is about the right length to go around the nose of a cow or a horse. The eyes may be made closer together for smaller animals, or farther apart for larger animals.

20. STEP 15 – Looping a Halter • Pass the long end of the rope through the eye splices and through the loop to complete the halter as shown. After the halter has been adjusted on the animals head, a half hitch can be tied in the loop splice. This will prevent the rope from slipping and becoming too tight around the animal’s head.