• Leather halters are preferred for turnout and trucking because leather can break and free a horse before serious injury occurs if the halter catches on an object. Parts of leather halters, once broken, can sometimes be replaced or repaired.
  
  Leather halters are available in a wide range of leathers, from economical to high-grade leather that develops a rich patina over time. Some leather halters have padding on crownpieces, cheek pieces, and nosebands. Leather halters are attractive, come in various colors, are easy to clean, and can last a long time. They can also be fitted with a monogrammed halter plate for a custom, personalized look.
  
  Note: Because leather can stretch slightly with time and conditioning, periodically check the fit to ensure it hasn't become too loose and make adjustments as needed.

• Breakaway halters are preferred for turnout because they can break and free a horse. Made of nylon or cotton-blend webbing, they feature a leather crownpiece or leather tabs that break if the halter becomes entangled. Replacement parts are inexpensive and easy to find. Fabric portions can be cleaned with soapy water and gentle scrubbing with a soft brush.

• Nylon halters are fashioned of nylon webbing. They are durable but not ideal for turnout, as webbing does not break if a horse becomes entangled. Nylon halters can be cleaned by soaking in soapy water and scrubbing with a soft brush.

• Rope halters are crafted of rolled nylon rope. Intended for ground work and handling, they are not suitable for shipping, cross-tying, or turnout. Rope halters require proper knot tying to secure on the horse's head.

• Shipping halters are designed for trailering and may be made of leather or nylon with a breakaway tab, often encased in soft sheepskin fleece to protect the horse’s face during transport. Sheepskin also wicks away moisture to keep the horse comfortable. Sheepskin halter kits and synthetic halter fleeces allow you to convert an everyday or show halter into a shipping halter. Click here to view our selection. The pieces attach with hook-and-loop closures and are easily removed for cleaning or when not needed.

• Grooming halters are intended to be worn under supervision during grooming. They lack a throat latch and jaw piece to allow easy cleaning of the jowl area. Without these pieces, grooming halters should not be used for turnout or shipping. Some leather halters, such as the Classic Combination Halter, have removable parts to convert into a grooming halter. Grooming halters are available in nylon webbing or leather.

Helpful Tip for Refined Heads:

Most halters have 1-inch-wide straps. For horses with a refined face, choose a halter with narrower ¾-inch straps for a more appealing look.