Walk into almost any barn and you'll probably find at least a few nylon halters hanging around.
They've been a standard choice for years, and for good reason. They're lightweight, widely available and come in just about every colour imaginable.
But coated webbing halters have become increasingly popular with horse owners who want something a little easier to live with, especially when mud, rain and everyday barn mess are involved.
So what is the actual difference between a traditional nylon halter and one made from PVC-coated webbing?
Mostly, it comes down to the surface of the material.
What Is a Nylon Horse Halter?
Traditional nylon halters are made from woven synthetic webbing.
If you look closely, you can see and feel the woven texture of the material. That construction makes nylon flexible and relatively lightweight, which is part of why it has been used for horse halters for so long.
The downside is that the woven surface can hold onto dirt.
Mud, dust, hair and moisture can work their way into the fibres, and after enough barn use, a nylon halter can start looking a little less fresh than it did when it came out of the package.
Most horse owners have probably owned at least one halter that needed a proper scrub before it looked clean again.
What Is PVC-Coated Webbing?
PVC-coated webbing starts with an internal woven webbing and adds a smooth PVC coating around the outside.
That coating changes both the look and feel of the finished material.
Instead of an exposed fabric-like surface, you're left with a smooth exterior that can be wiped or rinsed clean much more easily.
This is the material used for Ivoré waterproof halters.
The coating also gives the webbing a more polished appearance, which is one of the reasons we were drawn to it in the first place.
We wanted something that could handle regular barn use without looking overly utilitarian.
The Biggest Difference: Cleaning
This is probably where you'll notice the biggest difference between the two.
With traditional nylon, dirt can settle into the woven fibres. Depending on how muddy things have gotten, cleaning can mean soaking, scrubbing or throwing the halter in the wash.
With PVC-coated webbing, most dirt stays on the surface.
For everyday grime, a damp cloth may be all you need. If your horse has really committed to the mud, you can rinse the halter off and use a mild soap if necessary.
When you're dealing with horses every day, anything that makes cleanup a little easier is appreciated.
What Happens When They Get Wet?
Nylon itself is a synthetic material, but traditional nylon halters still have an exposed woven construction.
That means water can sit between and around the fibres, leaving the halter feeling damp after rain, bathing or a particularly wet day outside.
PVC-coated webbing has a smooth outer coating that resists water on the surface.
It doesn't have the same exposed woven texture, so it doesn't become waterlogged in the same way a traditional fabric webbing halter can.
For anyone dealing with wet Canadian springs, rainy fall turnout or horses that somehow manage to get everything they own filthy, that's a fairly practical difference.
What About Mud?
Mud might be the strongest argument for coated webbing.
A nylon halter that's been thoroughly introduced to a muddy paddock can take some effort to get completely clean again.
With a coated halter, the mud stays largely on the exterior surface.
Let it dry, wipe it off, rinse it under water, done.
It doesn't mean your horse will suddenly stop finding the muddiest part of the field.
Unfortunately, we haven't solved that part yet.
Does PVC-Coated Webbing Feel Like Leather?
Visually, coated webbing can have a smoother, more refined finish than traditional woven nylon, and from a distance it can sometimes give a similar clean look to leather.
But it isn't leather.
PVC-coated webbing is synthetic, and it doesn't require the same conditioning or care that leather does.
That difference is part of its appeal for everyday use.
There's no need to reach for leather cleaner every time the halter gets muddy. In most cases, water and a cloth will do the job.
Is PVC-Coated Webbing the Same as BioThane®?
No.
This is a distinction worth making because the term "biothane" is sometimes used casually to describe waterproof coated tack.
BioThane® is a trademarked brand of coated webbing.
PVC-coated webbing is a broader material category, and not every piece of coated tack is made from BioThane®.
Ivoré halters are not made from BioThane®. They are made from PVC-coated webbing.
There are similarities between coated materials, particularly the smooth surface, water resistance and easy clean finish, but the specific construction and manufacturer can differ.
If a product is made from genuine BioThane®, the brand should be able to say so specifically.
Nylon Still Has Its Place
This isn't about saying nylon halters are bad.
They're affordable, familiar and readily available, and plenty of horse owners are perfectly happy using them.
The better choice really depends on what matters most to you.
If you're looking for a simple, traditional halter and don't mind occasionally giving it a proper wash, nylon may suit you perfectly.
If you're more concerned with easy cleaning, wet weather and keeping a halter looking polished through regular use, coated webbing has some obvious advantages.
Why We Chose PVC-Coated Webbing for Ivoré
When we started developing Ivoré halters, we weren't interested in making another version of something that already existed everywhere.
We wanted a halter that made sense for actual barn life.
Something you could use when it's raining.
Something you wouldn't be annoyed to find covered in mud.
Something that still looked good after regular use.
PVC-coated webbing gave us that balance.
It's smooth, easy to clean and has the polished finish we wanted, without turning an everyday halter into something that feels too precious to actually use.
Because realistically, anything that goes on a horse is going to get dirty eventually.
We'd rather make cleaning it the easy part.
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