Looking for a leather halter that is durable, but wont make me cry when it gets snapped!
And a lead chain 10ft+ (prefer the rope ones vs flat nylon)
What are your favorites? Links appreciated! Thanks!!
I like my Walsh leather halter. It is unlikely to get snapped unless you open the trailer butt bar without untying the horse first and then it’s likely to just snap the crown piece.
As far as rope leads go to a Western tack store and see what feels good to you. How much weight, how soft to touch what kind of hardware, and do you want a popper?
There are cotton rope leads, and nylon rope leads, and yachtbraid rope leads – but my favorite is called “treeline.” It isn’t as thick as a standard lead and has a nice feel.
Schneiders (SSTack) has nice padded halters that have padded cheeks as well as crown and noseband. Great for my sensitive grey that easily gets rubs! They are currently on sale for $44.00. Mine has lasted incredibly well, 8 years of turnout. I hope they haven’t changed the quality in that time!
Leadropes are so personal, everyone has a preference and you have to feel it to know if it is right. I like nice long cotton ropes with an ordinary spring clip.
Quillin Halters are my all time favorite. My horse has sat back HARD on that halter and shockingly it didn’t snap. The ring at the bottom is now oval instead of round…lol…leather is still great though!
I’m very happy with my Perri’s leather halter. I got the 3/4” track style because my horse has a smaller narrower head. I’ve had it for years and it’s still in great shape. It took oil very well when I first got it and hasn’t needed it since. Hardware is nice on it, and it wasn’t too expensive. I abuse it because I don’t clean it often enough and I bathe him in it, and it still looks great. I would repurchase if I needed another halter.
https://www.pleasantridge.ca/index.php/leather-padded-halter-purple.html
my poor gelding has a pink version of this halter. It’s legitimately one of the softest “cheap” leather halters I’ve bought. I love it! And I got it for $40 on sale… so if it were to break my hearts not broken.
not sure if you’re in America, if so, you get to take advantage of the bad Canadian dollar.
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I like the Chicks Saddlery leather halters. They have a sale halter with nameplate for about $30 and a “seconds” halter for about $20.
Word of warning: Look for “Chicks Saddlery” NOT “Chicks”! :eek:
The Pleasntridge halters don’t have padded cheeks, otherwise they are cute.
I also go with quillin! Just get an extra crown or two when you order.
If one of mine decides pulling back is a fun game, they go in a Hamilton nylon halter until they earn the right to be wearing leather again.
I love the Tack Shack of Ocala.
I’ve seen the Beiler’s leather halters hold up to 24/7 outdoor storage, bathing, and everyday use. They still run around $65.
I just use a 6’ cotton lead, either Beiler’s or Perri’s (who make a red and black one). I only ever crosstied or ground tied the last few years I had my old guy, so being long enough to tie wasn’t an issue. I find anything thicker than 3/4" is too bulky any more.
I have Quillins and a super cheap 19.99 Dover leather halter. The 19.99 halter is for when he needs to wear a halter in the field to keep his fly mask on. It’s thin enough and will break easily. Quillins leather halter for every day.
Another vote for Tack Shack Ocala. Great halters and great customer service!
I’ve always used Weaver nylon halters, including one with the leather breakable crown piece. They wear like iron and have sturdy brass hardware. I prefer the clip because it is much easier to put on the horse, especially if you are a short person with a tall horse. The clip is the heavy duty solid brass style and doesn’t break like the cheaper flat style of cheaper nylon halters.
I had a Weaver leather that I used daily for about 15 years until it finally broke. I tried to replace it, but the model with the same name didn’t fit. I think it was the crown piece being too short.
I splurged and bought him a Walsh halter for Christmas in 2018. It’s absolutely gorgeous. He’s 25 now and I have vowed he will have absolutely the nicest things I can find.
Can’t beat the price on the lovely made-to-order turnout halters from Central Kentucky Tack & Leather. $40 for the horse (broodmare) size and they are gorgeous quality. https://www.centralkentuckytackandleather.com/leather-shop/leatherhalter/turnout-halter-
I wasn’t impressed with Perri’s halters. The finishing was poor, and the hardware was brass-colored, not real brass. I much prefer this Berlin halter: https://www.ridingwarehouse.com/Berlin_Custom_Leather_Triple_Stitched_Halter/descpage-BCLTSH.html
Solid brass hardware, rich color and nicely finished, for far less than some others of similar quality.
I like Perri’s too. I use the one with the rolled noseband for a little more stopping power if silly mare is silly.
But she has broken 3 of them in 12 years by pulling back on cross ties in one case, and trailer tie in 2 cases.
Tack shack all the time for leather halters. Mine go out on the cheapest most breakable halters possible when it’s grazing muzzle time. The only weight on those halters is a lightweight muzzle. Effectively the only thing that causes them damage is a) life, b) sun and c) the weight of a greenguard muzzle. And I have to replace them every other year! Meanwhile the tack shack halters are like Timex watches (look it up if you are young lol).
