| When it comes to choosing the most
important and expensive tool to a team roper, why not ask the best in the business,
Charles Pogue?
Charles Pogue and his 16 year old heading horse, scooter, have
won the world heading horse title for the last six year. In The Loop
asked Charles how beginner team ropers know what to look for in a good heading horse.
Charles mapped out the process into four steps. |
1. Get
someone who knows roping horses to go with you.
As a beginner roper, you must put your pride in your back pocket and
find someone who can give examples of what to look for in a horse and share their
experience with you. If you cannot find someone available to go with you, start
going to ropings and asking questions. Ropers, in general, don't mind sharing their
opinion with you. The most important factor in buying a horse that doesn't
feel right to you. Look at several horses and compare before you make your decision. |
steers being roped are smaller. When you
rope a smaller steer, the horse must perform better - not over-power the steer. The
horse should have a comfortable stride and generally a shorter stride, thus allowing the
horse to recover and make quicker moves. Many ropers believe that bloodline is
the most important factor in choosing a horse, but charles has tried horses with the same
breeding as scooter and hasn't had any luck. So breeding may play a role but don't
let that bog down. |
The ideal age for a good seasoned heading horse
is generally around ten to fourteen years of age - this will give you the time you need to
learn to rope without having to worry about your horse. 4.
Get a vet check. Most horses, depending on the
circumstance, should get a vet check. In an ideal situation, get the person you are
buying the horse from to guarantee the horse is sound. get the guarantee in writing
and make sure that it covers all main points of the horse. This guarantee will
protect both the buyer and the seller. If a vet |
| Choosing
a horse is a very important decision that will affect your ability to rope and meet your
individual goals, so take these ideas and combine them with your own to make the right
decision when buying your next horse. |
2. Know
what to look for in a heading horse.. The trend for heading
horses has changed over the years. In the past, heading horses were preferred to be
big and stout. Today, the trend is changing to a more smaller, more athletic type of
horse. The reason for this change in preference is that the |
3. Find
out the age of the horse.. Charles states that most horses
competing in the national finals rodeo are over the age of thirteen. As a beginner,
you need to get a seasoned horse that gives you the same throw every time. Many
young horses need an experienced roper riding them. |
Check is needed, the more expensive the horse,
the more extensive the vet check will need to be. |
