How to Rope and Cut Horses

To many horse owners, horses are not simply animals. They are often considered to be beloved pets, family members or even employees. Wild horses or horses that need to be caught and controlled may need to be roped, especially if they have received no training and do not respond to simple commands. Once horses are roped and under control, they often need to have their coats cut or trimmed as part of the usual grooming process.

Things You'll Need

  • Horse (for roping practice)
  • Partner
  • Rope
  • Bath suppliers
  • Horse clippers
  • Blankets
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Instructions

  1. Roping

    • 1

      Have a partner mount a practice horse and ride the horse at a rapid canter as if the horse is to ride past you. Have a lasso ready with a rather large loop at the end. When the horse and rider are eight to ten feet away, toss the rope onto the ground in the horse's path.

    • 2

      Pull the rope toward you as soon as the horse is over the rope and, if your timing is right, you will catch the horse by the front legs. If you want to catch the horse by all four legs, wait just a moment after the horse is over the rope to pull it.

    • 3

      Release the rope if you do not want the horse and rider to fall over and have the rider stop the horse. Remove the rope from the horse's legs. If you miss, you can try again until you get the timing right. If desired, you can try using a different horse that is more cooperative.

    • 4

      If the horse you want to rope has no rider, it is up to you to aim the lasso strategically at the horse's legs. Instead of waiting for the horse to come to you, you may need to move toward the horse stealthily. Also, if the horse has no rider, it may be a good idea to tighten the rope around all four legs so that the horse does not rear up. Be careful when approaching the horse, as it may not yet be tamed and may be resistant to human contact. Do not attempt to cut the hair of a wild horse, as the horse will most likely not cooperate; the horse must be broken first.

    Cutting

    • 5

      Choose a pleasant, sunny day to cut you horse's coat. Stormy weather may make your horse skittish, and a jittery horse may get injured. Bathe your horse so that its coat is clean and fresh for cutting. Overly dry, oily or dirty skin can interfere with the clippers while cutting.

    • 6

      Have a partner hold your horse and speak calmly to it. Turn the clippers on and hold it near your horse so that it becomes accustomed to the noise. Then, rest the clippers gently against the horse so that it becomes accustomed to the vibration of the clippers.

    • 7

      Slowly run the clippers over your horse's hair, cutting it as low as you desire without aggravating the skin. If your horse becomes jumpy or afraid, stop cutting the horse's hair and try again another day. It may take a few days to finish cutting the entire coat. Do not force your horse.

    • 8

      Cover your horse with blankets after cutting its coat. Drastic changes in body temperature can make your horse sick or uncomfortable, and without a full coat, its body temperature will drop. The horse should also be sheltered from harsh weather such as rain or snow until its coat grows back in.