Roping Tips: Train Your Horse to Behave in the Box
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A calf-roping horse should be pointed so it is looking at the front of the chute, so it can follow the calf down the arena at the same angle.
● HOW-TO Better in the Box Champion rope-horse trainer C.R. Bradley corrects three common problems in the roping box. Story and photography by KATE BRADLEY
Section Editor KATE BRADLEY [email protected] June 2012 | WESTERN HORSEMAN 27
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Three common problems seen in rop- ing horses used in both rodeo and horse show events are anticipating leaving the box, popping up out of the box, and squatting in the corner. Here, Bradley ex- plains how to work a horse through these problems.
Move Off the Hand, Not the Sound “A horse that anticipates leaving the box, or a young horse that is nervous, is one I score on a lot,” Bradley says. “You score, or release the calf from the chute but do not follow it out of the box, to teach the horse to relax in the box. The idea is to release the calf without pressuring the horse to run after it.” Repetition is key to Bradley’s training process. Each time he walks a horse into the box—whether on the heading side of the chute or on the calf roping and heeling side—Bradley retraces the same steps. His goal is to relax the horse with the routine. “A lot of horses work off the sound of the gate,” he explains. “I want the horse to listen to me and not work off gate noise. Scoring is especially good for a rodeo horse that anticipates having to run out of the box every time. The horse needs to re- member to work off the rider and not off the sound of the chute gate opening. “When I score, I tie a [saddle] blanket immediately behind the chute gate. This will stop or slow the calf or steer. Then, Champion trainer C.R. Bradley uses I open and close the gate until the horse repetition and slow stands flat-footed and relaxed in the box.” work in the box to keep Once the horse relaxes and begins lis- his rope horses sharp. tening to Bradley instead of the gate noise, Bradley will pull the blanket back so the calf can leave the chute. ike a runner coming off the starting block, a rope horse needs “Once the horse relaxes and listens to to come out of the box at just the right moment. me, I will reward him with that release for “In roping, the start sets the entire run. If you get out of the box well, it standing quietly,” he says. will set up for a smooth run, and if you get out late or break the barrier, your run can continue to go downhill,” says multiple American Quarter Horse Stay Flat and Low AssociationL World Champion C.R. Bradley. “When I start roping on a horse, I spend One problem seen in rope horses is a more time working in the box than on any other part of the run.” varying degree of rear, or pop up, when the rider sends the horse from the box. If Prior to extensive roping training, the Young or old, a horse can develop bad a horse begins to come up with its front Collinsville, Texas, trainer ensures his habits that stem from its own nervous- end, where it is lunging up and out instead horses respond to basic cues. ness or from soreness developed during of traveling forward out of the box, Brad- “My horses should be able to move training. Bradley advises that horses that ley immediately begins to work on gain- their hips in both directions while back- develop a dangerous habit quickly—like ing forward motion. ing and being cued one-handed,” he ex- rearing up and lunging out of the box— When Bradley enters the box, he uses a plains. “I can move their shoulders and be checked for soreness by a veterinarian. drill that relaxes the horse and teaches for- hips, and have control using one hand Once soreness is ruled out, Bradley con- ward motion. He starts to walk forward before I take them into the box.” tinues slow work in the box. prior to releasing the calf from the chute.
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WHMMG_120600_027HH title.indd 28 4/13/12 5:21:08 PM Hanging a saddle blanket in the chute is one easy, safe way to practice scoring the horse. When the horse stands quietly and you are ready to release the calf, the blanket is easily lifted to allow the calf out.
“I walk into the box as I would for a cue tells the horse to stay flat and not normal run, I back into the corner and come up on the front end when leav- wait for the horse to stand flat-footed,” ing the box. Bradley is careful to cue for he explains. “Then, keeping my hand the walk forward slowly by pushing his low, I ask the horse to begin walking. I hand and not merely throwing his hand walk one or two steps before I nod for and weight forward. the chute release. Ask for the chute to “I always keep contact with the bit, and open when you feel the horse moving then, when I push my hand forward, that forward, but before you pass the middle is the cue to release,” Bradley says. “When of the box. the horse breaks, I want him to come out “I will continue this until the horse smooth, with all four feet touching the walks out of the box calmly. After I fol- ground—not lunging out of the box. I low the calf out of the box at a walk, I want the horse flat and low.” always stop the horse straight and wait The more slow work done, and the for him to take a deep breath and relax.” less pressure put on the horse while in In the box, Bradley keeps his rein the box, the more a horse will learn to hand low and in front of the horn. This relax, Bradley explains.
Bradley keeps his reins short so he has constant, light pressure when backed into the box’s corner. By keeping his rein hand low by the saddle horn, he cues the horse to leave the box flat and low, and does not allow the horse to rear or pop up.
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Stand Straight, Don’t Squat A lack of movement in the horse’s feet or miscommunication in cueing often results in a rope horse that leans back or squats in the box. “The horse that leans might be slower leaving the box because he will have to first stand up before he leaves the box,” Bradley explains. “I will score a leaning horse off the corner a few feet so he does not have anything to lean against.” Bradley cautions that rider error may be to blame for a horse developing this habit. “Most people will walk into the box, turn, and back right up. When that hap- pens, the horse is already leaning back- ward, and his feet may not move back anymore,” he explains. “I walk in the box, turn, and then walk forward a few steps before backing all the way into the corner,” he says. “I back slowly, one step at a time. That way the <
For more information on C.R. Bradley and his training methods, visit crbradley.com.
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