Q&A for How to Halter a Horse

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How do you train a horse for a halter?

Kate Jutagir
Equestrian Specialist & Trainer
Kate Jutagir is an Equestrian Specialist, Hunter/Jumper Trainer, and the Owner of Blackhound Equestrian, a premier training barn located on 65 acres in Castro Valley, California. Originally designed to be a riding school used as a springboard for dedicated students into careers in the sport, Blackhound Equestrian has grown into a hunter/jumper training program for all levels focusing on providing a solid foundation needed for personal advancement in the sport. Kate has over 25 years of equestrian instruction and training experience. Her focus on developing horse and rider partnerships provides a complete equestrian education for both beginners and advanced riders alike.

Kate Jutagir

Equestrian Specialist & Trainer

Expert Answer

First just bring the halter with you; maybe the first few times you don't necessarily put it on. You could probably start using some treats, so the horse can associate the halter with a really delicious snack. And then just go slowly. Make sure that you're supervised and the horse is supervised, if necessary, because you don't want anything to be caught on a fence post or a stall or anything like that. Take your time, go slowly, and you can put parts of the halter on. You could start with a grooming halter that doesn't have all of the buckles and everything that would make a horse feel restricted. And once the halter is on, give them a treat, make sure they know that that is what you want. And then when you're taking the halter off, it's incredibly important to go slowly. Horses are very sensitive to anything that moves quickly behind their eyes or their head.

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Question

Is it okay to skip some of the steps with trained horses who are used to being haltered?

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Staff Answer
This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

wikiHow Staff Editor

Staff Answer

Yes! Many horses won't require practice sessions or a lengthy training process. If your horse is trained and you're haltering for the first time, follow the basic steps to learn the technique.

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Question

My horse keeps taking off his halter. Help!

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wikiHow Staff Editor

Staff Answer

If your horse is able to take off its halter by itself, the halter is too loose. Try adjusting the straps and buckles to make the halter a little tighter. If that doesn't work, you may need to buy a smaller halter for your horse (halters come in many sizes).

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What if your horse is hard to catch?

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Some horses get spooked easily, so be sure to approach your horse slowly from the front so it can see you coming. Speak to it quietly and soothe it by petting its neck so it doesn't run off. You can try rewarding it with treats or a few sugar cubes, as well!

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Question

If my horse is kind of wild, what should I do to put a halter on her?

Alohaaa :)

Community Answer

Get her trust first (she will be calmer then), then try putting the halter on again. This article on getting your horse to trust you should help.

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Question

What should I do if the horse raises its head when trying to put the halter on?

Riley Savasta

Community Answer

Gently talk to your horse to calm it down. You could also lower its head with a treat, then give another one when you get the halter on.

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What do I do if the horse keeps raising its head when I try to put the halter on?

Community Answer

You can put your arm around its neck and gently pull its head down, or put some sugar cubes in your hand, and when it lowers its head, quickly slip the halter on. If this does not work, ask a friend to help you.

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Question

My horse Jasmine likes to nip when I put her halter on and I yell at her, then she behaves. How could I fix this so she will be nicer to me when I put her halter on?

Bear8888

Community Answer

Pet your horse, then let him/her know who you are and that it is okay. After that, let her smell the halter and then slide it on gently in the calm quiet voice saying "Its okay."

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