Foal Halter Selection and Fit Important

Perhaps the first piece of tack a horse will ever wear in its life is a halter. As with all tack, thought should be given to its construction and fit.

Foals are naturally curious, and sometimes their investigations lead them to situations in which they cannot extract themselves. A leather halter is the safest choice for foals. In case of an accident, leather is likely to break, setting the youngster free. If not made entirely of leather, a halter with at least a leather crownpiece is a reasonable alternative. Halters made of nylon should probably be avoided as they are nearly impossible for a foal to break if it gets caught up on something.

Just as important as construction is proper fit. The halter should be adjusted a hole or two looser than snug, with the noseband sufficiently slack so that it can be lifted an inch or so off of the foal’s nose. The noseband should rest less than an inch below the prominent facial bones that lie beneath the foal’s eyes.

Foals grow quickly so owners should check fit frequently, loosening the noseband or crownpiece as necessary to ensure proper fit. Because a foal’s facial bones are extremely plastic, a too-tight halter can eventually misshape a young horse’s skull, creating an artificial concavity or dished appearance.