Does it get more basic horsemanship than safely haltering a horse? Probably not, yet this portion is often glazed over to “get to the good stuff.” Spend some time in club discussing the importance of safely approaching and catching a horse. Demonstrate the different types of halters and their pressure points. A rope halter has its differences when compared to a foal halter or breakaway halter.

Round up some different halter types and have students match the halters to pictures/ descriptions of horses. Discuss why these different halter types would be appropriate in different situations.

Examples:

  • Foal halter with foal
  • Rope halter with ranch horse
  • Stud halter with stallion
  • Breakaway halter with naughty, difficult to catch pony, or horse needing grazing muzzle