How to Wrap a Roping Saddle Horn

Team Roping is a rodeo event originating from a need to restrain and doctor cattle on ranches. The sport consists of two riders on horseback. One rider, known as the header, ropes the steer around the horns. The other rider, referred to as the heeler, ropes the steer around the two back legs or heels. Once the steer is caught, each rider must pull their rope tight by dallying (winding) it around their saddle horn. Team ropers wrap the horn to help control how much rope slides after dallying and to protect the saddle horn.

Things You'll Need

  • Saddle
  • Rubber strips
Show More

Instructions

    • 1

      Decide which material to use to wrap the saddle horn. Rubber or synthetic rubber provides more of a grab on the rope, preventing it from sliding. A slick horn material like latigo (type of leather from cowhide) or mule hide allows more slide in the rope. Competitive ropers typically choose rubber or synthetic rubber so their rope tightens fast.

    • 2

      Obtain rubber from an inner tube and cut into strips about two inches wide. Choose a new inner tube as worn rubber from an old tube could be damaged or degraded. Synthetic rubber comes pre-cut into strips ready to wrap. Some ropers prefer synthetic rubber because it provides the same grab on the rope without staining or damaging the rope.

    • 3

      Place the saddle on a steady surface like a saddle stand. Place the first strip of rubber around the horn. While in front of the saddle, pull the strip firmly. Twist the strip one time, making a figure eight and loop the rubber back over the horn towards the back of the saddle. The rubber should remain smooth and flat.

    • 4

      Maintain tension and twist the rubber again. Move back toward the front of the saddle and pull the rubber forward. Repeat these steps until the rubber is too short to make another loop over the horn. As the loop gets smaller it will be more difficult to keep the rubber flat

    • 5

      Retrieve another piece of rubber and continue wrapping. The outside layer may be wrapped less tightly then the inner layers to allow for more flexibility. The dally grabs better on the flexible outer layer. Make the wrapped horn of equal thickness from the top to bottom. It is an individual preference as to how thick to wrap the horn.