How Do I Train My Horse for Breakaway Roping?

Breakaway roping is the art of roping a calf from horseback. One end of the rope is tied to the saddle horn by a string and breaks away once the rope is pulled tight by the calf. The competition starts when the calf is released from a chute, and horse and rider work as a team to rope the calf. The rider must train a horse to leave the box correctly, track the calf and stop on command.

Things You'll Need

  • Rope
  • Calf
  • Calf chute
  • Rope barrier
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Instructions

    • 1
      Swing the rope around the horse from the ground.

      Familiarize the horse with a rope while the rider is on the ground. Swing the rope around the horse and touch her with it all over her body, including the legs and tail. During a breakaway competition, the rope might hit different areas of the horse and she should be desensitized to it and unafraid.

    • 2
      During general riding, throw the rope while mounted.

      Rope while riding the horse. Swing the rope while mounted and during a trail ride or riding in an arena or pasture. Start throwing the rope at the ground in front of or next to the horse. Throw it at stationary items like a bale of hay or imitation calf. This allows the horse to be comfortable with the action, noise and movement of the rope and rider during breakaway roping.

    • 3
      Introduce the horse to cattle.

      Teach the horse to follow cattle in an enclosed pen by guiding her so that her nose is within two to four feet of the calf's tail. While following the cattle, add the aspect of delivering the rope. Don't be concerned with actually catching a calf. Focus on the horse's comfort level, tracking the calves and swinging the rope at the cattle.

    • 4
      Teach the horse to remain calm in the box.

      Train the horse for the roping box. The roping box is a squared-off area to the side and behind the calf chute. Teach the horse that the roping box is a place of relaxation. Horses might initially feel claustrophobic there, while others become anxious once they learn to chase the calf from the box. Encourage your horse to stay calm in the box.

    • 5
      Start roping live cattle.

      Start roping cattle from the box and roping chute. Position the horse in the corner of the box and release the calf from the chute. Start slowly and make sure the horse remains calm. Gradually increase the number of runs each day. Focus on the horse not actually catching the calves, just paying attention to you. The horse must stay in correct position to allow a good throw by the rider and stop on command to allow the rope to become taut and break away from the saddle.

    • 6
      Practice running through the barrier.

      Acquaint the horse with the barrier. A barrier is a mechanical rope attached to the calf to allow a head start. The rope stretches across the front of the box. When the calf leaves the chute, it releases the barrier, signaling that the horse may leave the box without penalty. If the horse leaves too soon, it breaks the barrier and garners a 10-second penalty. Practice running through the barrier. Do not be concerned with breaking the barrier but training the horse to run through it.