A horse-control device that allows a handler or rider to control the pressure exerted on the horse's nose and/or poll area is described. In one embodiment, the horse-control device comprises a halter that is worn on the horse's head. The halter includes a first, resilient nose band and second nose band that cooperate to regulate pressure applied to the horse's nose. When tension is applied to a lead line of the halter, the first nose band expands across the horse's nose and the second nose band applies concentrated pressure to the horse's nose. Upon removing tension from the lead line, the first nose band immediately contracts and causes the second nose band to immediately remove the pressure from the horse's nose. Also described is a strap component for a horse-control device that comprises a cable embedded within a flexible outer sheath.