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