Team Roping Heeling Tips

LEARN WHAT IT TAKES TO IMPROVE YOUR HEELING SKILLS

Want to become a better heeler? Sometimes, seeing is better than reading. X Factor Roping has the team roping heeling videos you’ll need to learn quickly and improve your skills.

Get team roping heeling tips from the best heelers competing in roping today, like NFR qualifiers Joseph Harrison and Ryan Motes. Not to mention Buddy Hawkins and Tyler Wade. It’s all right here at X Factor Roping, the largest roping resource on the net.

Here you’ll find high quality, up-to-date team roping heeling videos. No more scouring the internet for hours to find the tips you need! With over 2,500 videos, our instant-access video library covers every aspect of roping-- from heading to heeling, horsemanship, and more!

Check out 7 of our top team roping heeling tips below.

7 Team Roping Heeling Tips From Pro Heelers

Tip #1: Teach Your Horse What To Expect From You (With Buddy Hawkins)

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Have you spent time teaching your horse exactly what to expect from you during a run? In this video, Buddy Hawkins takes us through slow and collected machine work, focusing on horsemanship for roping. Using a dummy, Buddy demonstrates how he trains a horse to exercise control while approaching a steer, whether that approach is fast or slow. He stresses the importance of building a relationship with the horse. That way, he’ll know exactly what he’s supposed to do at all times during a run. Watch now, and apply Buddy’s team roping heeling tips to your own practice sessions!

Tip #2: How To Get Even Keel With The Steer (With Joseph Harrison)

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The key to getting a good throw is teaching your horse to anticipate your movements. You want him to get even keel with the steer, and in the “sweet spot” for you to throw. If your horse doesn’t know your spot on the cow, he won’t be able to help you get good timing for your throw. The more time you spend practicing these movements with your horse, the easier it will be for him to stay in good balance when you set up to throw in competition. In this video, you can see how Joseph Harrison has trained his horse to follow his rhythm. Follow Joseph’s roping tips so you can do the same!

Tip #3: Have Clear Communication With Your Horse (With Kory Koontz)

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As Kory Koontz explains in this video, communicating with your horse during a run is essential for making a good delivery while heeling. But you can’t exactly tell him, “Good job! That’s where I wanted you to be!” So how can you show your horse he’s in the right spot, without words? According to Koontz, you can tell him with your delivery. The key is to avoid delivering too close. Instead, keep your space, and wait to make your shot when your horse is exactly where you want him to be.

Tip #4: Build Consistency And Control (With Buddy Hawkins)

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Want to create consistency and control with your horse? You’ve got to work your way up from the bottom. Listen as Buddy Hawkins explains the importance of roping while the horse is still, then at a walk or trot, then a lope, and finally full speed. You can do this by working with a dummy during your practice sessions. Your horse may want to run after a steer at full speed, but it’s important to teach him to follow your lead. Learn how to recreate every scenario that may happen in competition, during practice. After all, as Buddy says, “If you prep right, you compete right!”

Tip #5: How To Put Your Heel Horse In The Correct Position (With Joseph Harrison)

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This heeling tip from Joseph Harrison might not sound like it makes sense, but it gets results in the arena! A common misconception among heelers is that they should pick the inside rein up and put their left leg on the horse. But as Joseph demonstrates in this video clip, that can have the opposite effect from what you want. Instead, help your horse hold a good frame through a turn by putting your right leg on. Watch Joseph as he runs drills with his horse in the practice pen, then try his tips out for yourself!

Tip #6: Get The Timing Right (With Cesar de la Cruz)

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Here’s what pro heeler Cesar de la Cruz was told as a kid: “Don’t ever throw your rope away.” That means you should be 90% sure you’re going to catch the steer before you let go of the rope. But how do you know when the timing’s right? The trick is to find the right position with your horse. You need to get out and around the steer in order to see his feet clearly. As Cesar explains, if you don’t have a clear view, it’s best to keep riding and wait until the steer’s hind feet come up. That’s the right time for delivery. Watch Cesar in action here, and see how it’s done!

Tip #7: How To Slow A Heel Horse Down (With Jojo Lemond)

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One problem that heelers sometimes have is that their horses get ahead of them. They might chase the steer too close, and ruin your timing for delivery. As Jojo Lemond explains in this video, you can solve this problem by softening your horse up a bit. This can be achieved by doing consistent practice runs. Teach your horse when to take off and when to draw back. Watch Jojo in action, and see what he recommends heelers use as a softening bridle.

Want More Team Roping Heeling Tips?

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Team Roping Heeling Tips From Pro Coaches

Need specific answers to questions, or personalized team roping heeling tips? Join X Factor Roping for access to our coaching program. Submit your runs and questions, and get feedback from some of the best heelers in the world.

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