Thoughts on Calf Roping

Accidents happen. You probably didn't hear a gun shot because there wasn't any. The audience would have been just as upset to hear it as they were to witness the accident. Most likely they used the same tool that slaughter houses do, a bolt gun - in this case, probably a free bolt stunner.

We don't have that kind of stuff over here in South Africa, but I've seen videos and stuff of rodeos. I apologize in advance for my lack of knowledge.

We were watching a video at camp once, a taping of a recent rodeo... My friends and I mainly just watch to see the agility and speed of the horses, but I must admit that I found it all very cool. Anyway, we watched the roping, and I must say I don't find it as awful as I though I would, the cowboy's throw was clean, and both him and his horse were quick, so the rope was on and off in about two minutes.

But then we watched bulldogging, is it called? I didd'nt really like that, there were so many things that could've gone wrong. But nothing did of course (our instructors would never have us watch anything like that if they thought it would upset us.)

Barrel racing amazed me, what amazed me was how some of the women yanked and kicked at their horses, I thought it was abit unnessecary, sorry if I'm wrong. But of course being three adventerous girls, we wanted to try the barrels, so the next day our instructors set out some barrels, and we did it at trot and canter for a while, until two of us plucked up the courage to try a gallop. I got 21 seconds, not bad for an english horse and rider who have never done it before right? Lol

Sorry, I went abit off topic there... cookies and milk :)

Wicked sory Love_story.

I never understood calf-roping either... It's just one of life's mysteries I guess... Barrel racing is way better

There isn't much to understand. It's a fact of life on the range - the way they handle calves to be doctored. Like most events at a rodeo, cowboys got together to see who was better at their trade then the other guy and that was what started the rodeo.

Barrel racing, pole bending, etc, are games for the most part, having no practical use on a ranch. That doesn't make them useless - on the contrary, it shows dexterity, training, and agility on the part of the horse and rider.

Oh that's interesting, I always wondered how rodeo's started. Like I said in my previous post, I had negative thoughts on calf roping, untill I actually saw it, then I was pleasantly surprised at the safety and effectiveness