Q: Is it okay to ride my horse in a halter or rope halter sometimes?

A: Absolutely — if your horse is safe, trained, and you’re in a controlled environment, riding in a halter can improve your feel and your horse’s responsiveness. It’s not about how much gear you use, but how thoughtfully you use it.

However, in order to do this safely, your horse needs to understand voice cues and/or seat aids. These can be taught with or without a bridle, but if you opt to teach in a halter, just make sure you are in an enclosed arena or round pen and have someone with you for the first few rides.

Good luck, and let us know how it goes!