b'FiledIMAGE/Shutterstock.comOur Horses Make Our Dreams Come TrueReprinted from @CraigSmithTeamRoping At the same time, we dont want to jam our horsesWhen managing livestock, a good rancher knows on InstaGram in the corner too tight, which creates a lot ofthat proper stockmanship involves getting the job I \'ve heard Trevor Brazile say that you have to haveunnecessary and undesirable tension and can causedone with the least amount of stress to the animals as them to elevate when leaving the box. A straightpossible, and performance horsemanship is similar in a "short term memory." What he means is that youdeparture will be faster. that respect. can\'t allow yourself to stay upset or carry around "shoulda, coulda, woulda" baggage. It\'s only going toWe have a lot more opportunities to teach and getI try to step off my horse\'s back to give them break negatively impact your next run, and as ropers - if weour horses in the habit of using their hindquarterswhen I can, or hand walk them back down the arena don\'t "get over it" REALLY quickly, one bad loop canthan most of us take advantage of. For example, wefrom the strippin\' chute, etc. This keeps them soft, easily turn into a whole day of \'em.can back our horses on the ground when we go frommentally connected, and helps add to their physical the barn to the arena, through gates, or in the saddlelongevity. The steers we draw and their varying size, styles andfrom the catch pen to the boxes. Focus on using "tricks" present a lot of variables for ropers.your energy as your initial cue instead of alwaysQ. How many coils should I carry and how big immediately using the reins or lead rope. should they be?I remember Cory Petska saying at the NFR that his goal is always to be as fast as each steer will let him be.A. Due to the length of our ropes, I feel that carrying It\'s a good way to look at it - we have to control whatA person who feelsfour coils for heading or heeling is best. The size of we can, and be prepared & ready to handle whateverthe coils can also depend on what feels natural to you.else is thrown our way. appreciated will always I personally like medium size coils since they allow It\'s amazing just how many variables two ropersdo more than what isme to have a decent amount of the rope tail hanging and two horses must handle in just a few seconds.down, and still have my preferred amount of spoke Some steers will be a good match for certain horses,expected. - Unknown and loop size.and others won\'t. as long as we\'re doing our best to prepare our horse\'s to handle anything, it\'ll all workAs a safety precaution, a rope tail thats too longout. We could spend a lifetime trying to master all theHonestly, this goes forcan be dangerous if your horse steps on it while intricacies of the sport and never quite get there, butrunning down the arena and can suck your coils the challenges are part of what makes the process funour horses too. around your fingers or arm. Also, too small ofand rewarding! coils can be dangerous because they take lesstime to run through our hand, and if we get in a Ask our horses for a lot of different movements in aAny time youre teaching your horse something new bind dallying, a split second longer to react could run. Its important for them to be responsive, but notgo slow at first and reward the slightest effort they putprevent a severe injury. reactive. We want them to be soft in the bridle andforth. Then build up from there until only the subtlest move off our energy and legs in an instant. suggestion is required to get the response youreGet tips like this and many more in the new \'Team looking for. "A person who feels appreciated willRoping Tips book in both print and Kindle versions!Backing our horses up often and in a variety ofalways do more than what is expected." - Unknown In it, you\'ll find a huge collection of many of the scenarios helps teach them to shift their weight toroping tips I\'ve been sharing on social media - all in their hind end and puts them in a more athleticHonestly, this goes for horses too. Our horses makeone place for easy-reading team roping inspiration stance. Being in this position in the corner of the boxOUR dreams come true. They work so hard throughand education. I\'ve also included tips that cover is crucial to take advantage of our horses power andthe repetitive stresses of hauling, practicing andhorsemanship, mental game and horse health - all areas speed to get to the steer. Its like a sprinter gettingcompeting, so it only makes sense to try to reducenecessary to master for sustainable success! Learn more ready on the starting blocks before a race. their stress in any way we can. at CraigSmithTeamRoping.com 26 August 2019'