People assume that every competition horse has been behind a barrier, but with so many ropings using electric eyes these days that’s not necessarily the case.
At the highest level, we face a barrier every day, even at the jackpots. Very seldom do we see an electric eye. It’s always a rope barrier. And on occasion—like the rodeo at Prescott (Ariz.), where both partners come from the right side of the box from behind the barrier, or Salinas (Calif.), where both partners come from the left side of the chute and behind the barrier—the heel horse has to go through the barrier, too. When you get to those places, you’ll see a lot of heelers having their header hold up the barrier before they go, to try and get their heel horse used to that barrier at the last minute, so he won’t jump it. Regardless of whether you’re a junior rodeo kid or competing at the pro level, if your horse stalls and hesitates or jumps the barrier you’ve basically forfeited your run. Any hesitation disrupts your run, and there’s no time for it. You’ll basically embarrass and eliminate yourself due to a preventable lack of preparation.
The place to introduce your horse to a string barrier is at home. I ride a horse through a string barrier—in and out—at a walk until he gets comfortable with it and isn’t too worried about it anymore. He might snort at first, but a horse will tell you when he’s comfortable.
この記事は Spin to Win Rodeo の June 2017 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です ? サインイン
この記事は Spin to Win Rodeo の June 2017 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です? サインイン
At Home With
Whether he’s home in his native Brazil or here in America, Lincoln Figueiredo ropes all day every day. Heeling is his favorite—he’s an 8.5 on the back side—but he’s packed all kinds of roping into a very full 46 years. Figueiredo lives in Presidente Prudente, Sao Paulo, Brazil, with his wife, Marina, and baby girl, also Marina.
Zane Tisdale's Leather & Life
Although header Zane Tisdale has a lot of pride in his leatherwork, it’s a passion that shares space with a full-time job, roping and, most importantly, his growing family. —G.R. Schiavino.
Torres Brothers Missing Main Mounts
The Torres Brothers—Joshua and Jonathan—have consistently been Top-30 team ropers in recent years.
What Pro Heelers Prefer And How To Get Your Horse To Drag It The Right Way
Here’s a glimpse of what pro heelers prefer and how to get your horse to drag it the right way.
How Smoothing Out Your Start And Your Handle Will Speed Up Your Runs
How smoothing out your start and your handle will speed up your runs.
Remembering the “Answer Man”
This spring, the rodeo and roping world lost a man who spent his life in its folds, shaping its functions: Hugh “Rooster” Chambliss.
Randy Lewis: Horse Vet
For heeler Randy Lewis, DVM, becoming a horse doctor wasn’t a choice he made. Instead, it was just a fact of life since as long as he can remember.
Disciplining Yourself Is Key To Regaining Your Horse's Composure In The Box
Disciplining yourself is key to regaining your horse’s composure in the box.
Luke Brown On Earning His Spot Among The Best
Luke Brown on earning his spot among the best.
The Battle Of The Bubble Boys
The bubble. It’s not the place anyone wants to be right now, but it’s inevitable that there are teams put in that position every season.