How to Train Your Own Roping Horse

Whether your goal is to become the next Roy Rogers or just chase some cows around the pasture, teaching your horse to rope can be a rewarding experience. Roping is a great sport, and knowing you had a hand in training your own roping horse can make it even better.

Things You'll Need

  • Lasso
  • Roping dummy
  • Hay bales
  • Saddle
  • Bridle
Show More

Instructions

    • 1

      Make sure your horse has a solid foundation under saddle before you start your roping training. Before you begin teaching your horse to rope, you will need to make sure he is able to walk, trot and canter with ease. Your horse should also have a solid canter depart and be able to move from a standstill to a canter in a single step. In addition, your would-be roping horse will need to be able to back easily even on a loose rein. Once your horse has all of these skills, you will be ready to start training your own roping horse.

    • 2

      Coil your lasso and hang it in your horse's stall. In order to be a good roping horse, your equine companion will need to get used to seeing ropes and having ropes thrown around him. Each time you feed your horse, take the time to hang a couple of ropes around the stall. Move the ropes around so that they are in a different position each time you feed. Be sure to stay with your horse while the ropes are in place so he will not get hung up and hurt himself.

    • 3

      When you lead your horse in and out of the pasture, carry your rope in one hand and casually swing it around. This will get your horse used to seeing the rope moving past his face. When you ride, carry your rope as well and casually swing it around.

    • 4

      Grab an old bale of hay and attach a roping dummy to it. These roping dummies can be purchased from tack shops and through mail-order catalogs that cater to horse owners. Roping dummies are in the shape of a calf head, and they are designed to stick right in the bale of hay. Mount your horse and slowly approach the hay bale. When you are close enough to make the catch, easily swing your rope in an exaggerated manner so your horse will see it move past his face.

    • 5

      Throw the rope and catch the "calf." As soon as the catch is made, ask your horse to back quickly. When all of the slack has been taken out of the rope, dismount your horse from the off side and move down the rope toward the "calf." If your horse starts to move toward you or continues to back up, stop and move back to him. Ask him to stand still, then repeat the process.