ROPES

In this picture, I am swinging a back hand loop. What I would like you to understand is the different parts of the loop. If we start from my right hand where the rope is doubled (this is called the spoke). Then right where the spoke ends is the honda and in front of the honda, the top part of the loop would be the top strand, the part of the loop farthest away from my hand would be the toe or tip of the loop. The next important part of the loop is the bottom strand, and that is right below the top stand. The coils are held in my left hand and the rope between my two hands is called the guide.

The rope that I like is 5/16 inch dia. and 60 feet in length. I mainly use the XXX soft Brannaman rope made by King's there in Sheridan, Wyoming. I will use some poly ropes but just on cattle. For roping horses and the rope work with them is all with the nylon blend.

It is difficult to learn to rope by yourself. We need to swing the rope in such a manner as to kept the loop open. It is almost next to impossible to catch with a closed loop. Once in a while you'll get one caught, but not with any consistence. It is amazing how fast people can learn when taught correctly. Remember the old saying "practice makes perfect". I want you to take it a step further "PERFECT PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT". When you learn the correct swings with the loop then your roping will move along at an accelerated rate. Everything with roping starts with the correct swing.

I am swinging a back hand loop and will rope the hip and bring the loop in from the left side of the dummy. It is a nice heel shot.

                                                      Why ranch roping?

Some folks want to know why I rope cattle and horses using a style of roping, called ranch roping.  One of the main reasons that I use ranch roping loops and techniques is because it helps to greatly reduce STRESS in the animals I am working with. If possible, working quietly around the livestock, I want to set up a shot where the animal I am roping is standing still. I will throw big long loops and strive to handle the animal being roped, as kind and gentle as possible. Stress is a big problem in the livestock industry. (Why?) Stress causes millions of dollars worth of death loss for the beef industry each year. Example, losses due to shipping fever amount to over $500 million. Sometimes the situation does not lend itself to what I would like to have happen, and I may have to build to an animal and rope it. But if possible I prefer to work slowly and set up the shot I want and then make it and get the job done without creating fear or bringing up the flight or fight instinct in the cattle. I want to work quietly with the cattle often enough that they recognize me as non-threatening, so I can ride my horse through them and not disturb the herd. That way I can get a good look at the eyes, nose, ears and feet of the cattle in the herd. These are some of the indicators that will help to determine the health of the cattle.

I work cattle on the open range. Pastures are several sections in size, (section=640acres). The rope is a great tool for restraining cattle. Dragging calves to the fire for branding is just another excellent use of the rope. It is a requirement in the west that your cattle are branded. Your brand is your trade mark. Also at branding the necessary shots are given. There are certain inoculations that must be given. In your commercial herds the bull calves need to be castrated, fly tags and dehorning are usually done at this time.

Doctoring cattle during the summer is usually for hoof rot and pink eye. There are times that pneumonia will be a problem, wounds, cuts, porcupine quills, and snake bites. These are some of the examples of things that I would doctor for. Being proficient with the rope allows me to make a house call right there on the range and do the necessary doctoring.  The herd does not need to be stirred up. I want to work quite and smooth and be a calm as I can be. There are times that I might have some others to help me, but if not I need to be able to handle the situation by myself. I need to take big animals down by myself and be safe about, both for the critter and myself.

During calving season I would be checking on the cows for any birthing problems. Here again if a cow is having problems calving I need to rope her and take her down and help with the birthing process. I feel that being able to use the rope offers me so many options on handling different situations, that it is a very valuable tool that I don't want to be with out. But remember any tool isn't much good if you don't know how to use it.

   Pasture roping Colorado clinic early 90's

  Bob and Andy doctoring a bull for hoof rot

Tom Paul Schneider makes these roping dummies. They are great to practice your ranch roping loops on. This one I am roping is larger than the ones in the back ground. They fold up when not in use. I've used them in my Cowboy School for several years and they work well.

You can visit Tom's web site at www.tompaulschneider.com He is a great silversmith. One thing about these roping dummies, they are easy keepers and you can sure get lots of practice on them.