Breakaway?

Home* town haha.

Yeah its makes me laugh when they put "women" vs. "men" ropes haha. I like my nylons they don't get as slick when its rainy as I've found my poly one does. Then again it may be the amount of wax I put on em haha! I personally don't like cotton ropes...but omg I LOVE this old leather riata my papa made for me awhile ago. I hardly ever use it because im paranoid of breaking it! But my 4 strand calf rope is fine to go ranch rope one day and breakaway the next.
I don't really like my heeling rope either. Its thinner than my calf rope and doesnt have a good grip since its so thin.

Getting lots of good advice and nice to see some rodeo competitors getting started in the arena.
If you have some one that can help you learn the basics you will be a mile ahead as compared to trying to learn yourself. I have used poly ropes as well and really like them but they can be a little tough on the hands if they get pulled through your hand because they will burn you a bit quicker than the nylon poly blends. If you can go to a store that carries calf ropes don't be afraid to ask if you can untie them and give them a swing. Personnaly I will try as many as I need to till I find the type of rope that feels comfortable when I am swinging it and has the right stiffness and body.
Also when you do get a rope try and carry it with you around the barn out in the yard just walking around and try to catch just about anything you can throw it over. Posts, dogs, buckets all make excellent dummies and the more you swing your rope the better feel you will get for it. Roping is a skill that takes lots of time to master and can be very frustrating at times but is also very rewarding. Like the others mentioned if you can find a good old rope horse that has been trained and competed in breakaway roping it will let you concentrate on your roping more and your skills will develop faster. If you can't find one or its not in the budget you can teach your horse to breakaway rope but it will take sometime but once again having a coach will help you out lots.
Lastly (man this is getting long) don't be afraid to ask for help or say your not understanding what you should do. We all started with out any knowledge and the only way you will get better is by asking questions and learning how to do things right. Good luck and if you have any questions post them up and I am sure you will get lots of help.

Hey Roperchick,

Just was reading your post and saw you mention that you wax your ropes. Do you put wax into them once the store wax wears off a bit? Was just wondering because I have never heard of this before and thought I would ask. Do you find it makes your ropes last longer?

Have a good one!

Yeah. After a few rodeos theyd start getting really soft on me again. So we have a bar of wax that ill rub on. Not alot just enough to get it sticking again. Its really helped my ropes last longer. It takes em alot longer to start fraying and "breaking" at the honda.

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Interesting might have to give it a shot on some old ropes just to try. I actually like my ropes a bit frayed and worn in but still willing to give it a try to see how it works. Thanks for the tip.

Np. I like mine waxed, when they fray (at least in my case)it feals as if they don't sail as smoothly and my slack will catch a little when im pulling up, making me not get the loop on my calf... but maybe its just me and my ocd haha.

Yep, you have to careful with a poly once it glasses over, anytime I have been close to catching fingers is with a glassed over one. Eeek!
A good cotton rope is tough to beat, but I have bought some that are just junk and last a couple of days and they are toast and have had some last a couple of years. There is not much consistency.

I love reatas, but like you I don't trust myself to use one. You really have to pay attention and know how to smoothly slide rope. My husband loves them....someday I will get there hopefully!

I didn't know that. I don't take very good care of my ropes. I don't keep them in a can, they are usually stuffed maybe in a rope bag at best, hanging on a saddle or thrown down on the floor of the carport.
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Cowchick
Does your hsband braid/twist his own retas? I have a steer hide in the wifes freezer right now that I have been waiting to make into rawhide and my plan was to braid one but at this rate it might never happen! I have never roped with one but would love to try it just to say I have and they are supposed to have lots of life in them.
Could have used one on sunday when we treated 10 heifers with bad eyes out at my uncles place.

I got to thinking a little more....
Usually the first thing I do when I have a new rope is to drag it through the dirt because I don't like the wax...LOL. Maybe wax should be my friend?
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