Timing That First Available Shot

Timing is really the ability to see when the steer is catchable. 

- Kendra Santos

It’s not only just timing the jumps, the rhythm or the stride that the steer takes. It’s also about being able to see that in relation to what kind of turn you’re getting and how the steer is reacting to being turned. When you know what to look for it gives you feedback on when the steer is ropable and what’s the best shot to take in that situation. That reaction part is something that’s built over time. If a header handles a steer by moving his horse forward and what I call going out the front, that’ll make the steer react and go in a much more rounded turn than it would on the opposite end of the spectrum, where the head horse goes out the back, as I say, and comes more straight back up the arena. That’s going to make the steer make a much sharper turn with a lot more snap and impact, which throws the steer’s hind end down the arena and kind of whips him around in one motion.