Steps for Heelers

As I write the third article, I am still presented everyday with the same situations during lessons and clinics that ropers are practicing with an unclear game or business plan. This is where the bad habits are created and not even knowing that it is happening. The first article was the model of the practice and the second article was breaking down the first five steps for the headers. This article is breaking down in order the steps for the Heelers.
We can always fine-tune each step but we need to execute them in order to get on the right track. Haze is step one for a Heeler. All this means is for the Heeler to be recognized as a threat to the steer before the header is so the steer does not run to the right. Our job is to keep the steer running straightforward.
Once you establish a haze or even if you don’t, the most important thing to do is step two.  Get into position!! Position is the key to your run!  I like to teach “keep your horses nose even with the hip of the steer” as you run down the arena. You will remain in your lane to the right of the steer. This is where “timing” is created!  When you match the speed of your horse to the speed of the steer you are in time. Your tip will be forward and down when your horse is down in stride on their front feet.
Step three is to have your swing going and tip down towards the steer. If the tip is not loaded or in the direction of our target, the delivery is almost certain to be incorrect.
Step four is follow the hip of the steer. All Heelers are guilty of watching the head catch. The problem with this is that is not the target, where you look is where your horse goes. Disciplined eyes make disciplined feet. Your eyes are your horse’s feet!  Many Heelers do not like to ride that high and stay with the hip because they will run by the corner. This is true if you are looking at the head of the steer. Look at the end of the steer you are going to rope.
Step five is “ROPE”!  If we work smarter going down the arena keeping the steer running straight and making sure we achieve position, have our tip down going in the direction of our target and follow our target by watching the hip or backend of the steer, then we should be ready to rope. We can set it all up for success before we make the corner.
The first three hops a steer gives us are usually the best three. I am not teaching to rope fast, just promoting being efficient!  If we execute a fundamentally sound business plan for every practice, then we will get the results desired for our efforts. Until next time, enjoy this practice plan!
Krece