How to Build a Roping Dummy Out of a Sawhorse

Beginning to rope using a roping dummy is a necessity so that you can save wear and tear on your calves, get familiar with the moves, and create muscle memory that will serve you well when you finally set your cow pony at a young steer. The roping dummy will work well with both the beginning stages, when you will work standing near it, and the intermediate ones, where you train your horse to behave while you're occupied with the rope.

Things You'll Need

  • Wooden sawhorse
  • Plastic calf's head
  • Metal straps
  • Bolts
  • 2-inch by 4-inch board, same length as the sawhorse
  • Wood screws
  • Drill
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Instructions

    • 1
      Roping calves is a normal ranch chore.

      Bolt the plastic head to the sawhorse. The bottom of the neck should be open, allowing access to the base for attachment points.

    • 2

      Reinforce the legs and neck of your roping dummy with the metal strapping. Wrap a strap around the two front legs and another around the two hind legs. This will help keep them from falling off after some hard use.

    • 3

      Reinforce the bottom of the sawhorse with the extra 2-inch by 4-inch board to keep the legs from collapsing inward. Screw it to the top board of the sawhorse and through the legs into it.