Cow Roping Tools

Cattle roping is done as a part of a ranch hand's everyday work. It is also done in the fiercely competitive sport of rodeo where big dollars can be won and lost. The tools for both the working cowboy and the professional rodeo rider are essentially the same. Knowing what these tools are is essential for anyone wanting to learn the roping business.

  1. The Rope

    • The most essential tool for roping a cow is, of course, the rope. Most ropes are called "lassos" and are made of super-strong - and often waxed - nylon. It is looped at the end with a "rawhide burner." This is the small loop made of rawhide where the rope forms a circle on itself and attaches in the slipknot. The rope is usually 30 feet long, but length can vary.

    The Horse

    • Another essential tool for the working cowboy who ropes horses is his horse. A well-trained ranch horse is every bit as important as the rope used by the cowboy. The horse can help the cowboy herd the and corner a cow and assist in keeping the rope taut once the cow is roped.

    Gloves

    • Cloth gloves protect your hands from the rope as it is pulled by the cow. Leather gloves are not as good for this because they are thicker and cannot give the same dexterity to the fingers as the cloth gloves. Some protection from the rope is essential to avoid rope burns and chafing.

    Goat String

    • It may be called goat string, but it is used for tying up calf feet and other items, such as the lariat or lasso. It can be used to tie things to the saddle. When a roper lassos a calf, he will jump off the horse, run to the calf, pull the calf's feet up and secure it with the goat string. This is an essential tool for the roper.

    The saddle

    • A good roping saddle is a must for the working cowboy or professional rodeo roper. A roping saddle has to be stout, have a deep seat and a thick horn or metal horn where the rope can be looped and used to snag a roped cow or calf. The saddle must be heavy duty and built to take a beating.