| When it comes to weekends at the rodeo, riders and | | | | American Quarter Horses that are going to be used |
| their horses must be equally athletic. Particularly when it | | | | on a ranch and in similar settings - should have a calm |
| comes to the rodeo's timed events - barrel racing, | | | | disposition, and they should be able to respond quickly |
| steer wrestling and calf roping - athleticism is essential. | | | | to their riders and the situation where they are used. |
| The success of the rodeo cowboy is measured as | | | | As with shopping for most products, when you are |
| much by having the right horse, as it is by the | | | | looking at any horse, you'll want to determine how you |
| cowboy's athletic skills and timing. | | | | will be using the horse. Those who are going to be |
| In timed events, horses must be willing and able to | | | | riding in rodeo events on a regular basis - in other |
| respond well to their riders, make quick turns and be | | | | words, a rider who will be taking his calf roping horses |
| able to burst forward at full speed, when it is | | | | from one rodeo to another and competing as a |
| necessary to do so. | | | | professional athlete - will probably be looking at a |
| Because of their strong hind legs and muscular power, | | | | horse differently than someone who intends to |
| it is most often the American Quarter Horse that is | | | | compete in only a few events during the year. |
| used in rodeo events. Given that the American | | | | In other words, those who will be training their horses |
| Quarter Horse got its name because the breed clocks | | | | for a few weekend rodeos are more likely to be |
| the fastest quarter mile runs, it's little wonder that, | | | | looking at American Quarter Horses that are not only |
| when it comes to timed events in the rodeo ring, | | | | adept in the rodeo ring, but that also are comfortable |
| Quarter Horses are used for barrel racing and steer | | | | working throughout the week at the ranch. Of course, |
| wrestling and are considered to be great calf roping | | | | other individuals may be looking at calf roping horses |
| horses as well. | | | | that they have seen during rodeo events and may |
| Calf roping horses aren't just in the rodeo ring for their | | | | decide to choose a Quarter Horse as a cattle horse, |
| speed and precision; they play a greater role in the | | | | solely for use on their own ranch without the intention |
| event as well. For those who are unfamiliar with calf | | | | of competing. Many ranchers find that the calf roping |
| roping, the event involves the calf roping horse, his rider | | | | horse is well-trained and well-suited for average, |
| and a calf. The roping horses are brought up to a full | | | | everyday activities in the ranching business. |
| gallop; the rider throws the lasso around the calf and | | | | Of course, the right calf roping horse for one rider isn't |
| dismounts. The horse then backs up enough to keep | | | | always going to be the right horse for another. When |
| tension on the rope while the rider ties the calf. When | | | | looking at horses for sale, if you are looking at Quarter |
| he returns to the horse, the rider mounts and the | | | | Horses particularly for calf roping, it's important to |
| tension on the lasso rope is eased to determine | | | | choose a horse that a good fit. In some cases, that will |
| whether or not the calf will remain tied. | | | | mean choosing a horse that's solid and gentle and will |
| Calf roping horses, therefore, not only need to be | | | | be great for those who are learning the sport. In other |
| trained and athletic in order to work with the bursts of | | | | cases, it will mean a taller horse, for others it will mean |
| speed and sudden stops, but also they need to be | | | | a shorter horse: it's a matter of personal comfort and |
| able to respond well to their riders. The relationship that | | | | preference. |
| calf roping horses have with their riders is essential to | | | | As always, you'll want to be sure that the horse is in |
| the success that will be had during this exciting | | | | good health, that its legs and back are strong enough |
| competitive event. | | | | to carry your weight, and that the horse you choose |
| Therefore, when most riders look to buy a horse as a | | | | either is already in great shape or can easily be |
| calf roping horse, temperament and intelligence are | | | | conditioned for your chosen competitive sport or other |
| characteristics that most horse buyers are looking to | | | | use. |
| find in a horse. Calf roping horses - as well as all | | | | |