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The Perfect Practice!
‘Practice makes perfect!’ Team roping is not a sport that you can engage in on a whim and expect to win. It does not matter which side you pick, heading or heeling, it takes lots and lots of practice to hone the skills needed be competitive in the sport. Although there are tools and devices available that one can use to practice, nothing compares to roping live cattle for practice. That is the reason so many ropers today have set up practice arenas at their homes. Setting up a practice arena takes a lot of effort, but the rewards are tremendous. The ability to rope often, work on specific details, keep your horse in shape and horsemanship is important when it comes to progressing in the sport. Additionally, having your own practice facility gives you a chance to entertain 30 / APRIL 2013
your roping partners and friends while enjoying the sport at your leisure. When it comes to planning the design of your practice pen, there are a multitude of considerations to be made for maximum efficiency and enjoyment. Most ropers want to get the best value from their investment and today’s products and tools help many reach that goal. However, if you plan to spend a little or a lot you need to make sure your practice arena is, above all, safe, efficient and practical.
The first thing to be considered when building your practice arena is location. Good drainage with the right footing will be essential for ultimate enjoyment and safety. Get some help from an expert in the field if you need it, and spend the money to get the dirt right from the base up. This investment could pay off in big dividends with ease of maintenance, more active riding days and fewer injuries for horse and rider. The ground and footing should be the first thing to prioritize. For best results,