How to Train Yourself to Rope Off a Horse

Calf roping and team roping are both exciting equestrian sports, and they are more challenging than they appear to the casual observer. Training a horse to be a solid calf or team roping partner is a challenge, and training yourself to throw the rope accurately can be just as much of a challenge. If you want to teach yourself to rope from the back of a horse, it is a good idea to take a step-by-step approach.

Things You'll Need

Hay bale
Plastic steer head
Lasso
Step or mounting block

Instructions

- 1
  Purchase a practice steer head you can use for your roping practice. You can find plastic steer heads that can be inserted into hay bales, and they are an excellent way to practice your roping skills.
- 2
  Ask a more experienced roper to help you develop your technique. You also can ask to borrow an experienced roping horse if you do not have one available. If you have a calm horse that does not mind having a rope swung around his head, you can practice roping from that horse, even if the horse is not trained as a roping horse.
- 3
  Start practicing roping from the ground, even if you have a well-trained roping horse with which to work. Roping from the ground gives you a better range of movement and helps you develop your rope skills without having to worry about the horse.
- 4
  Use a mounting block or pedestal with a height similar to the height you will be when mounted. A large three-step mounting block works well for this purpose, and many barns already will have one of these around. Practice roping from this height before you move on to roping off your horse.
- 5
  Mount your horse and practice roping your practice steer and hay bale. Approach the steer head from several different angles, both while standing still and while moving. It is best to perfect your loop creation and roping technique at a standstill, then work on your roping skills while walking, then trotting and finally running.