Head, Heel, and Calf Ropes; Why The Right Tools Matter
- February 18, 2015
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- Wendel Elliott
Posted in: Featured, Horse Supplies, Ranch Life
I’m not a very good roper by any means. I’ve found myself, like most, having good days and bad days. With that said, sometimes I blame those bad days on bad equipment. Hey, it sounds better in a story. I know you’ve done the same. You know the time when it was your turn to drag. Riding into the herd you were confident and ready to keep the flanking crew on their toes. It was your intention to keep a steady flow and get the job done. However, you looked up after about 15 or 20 loops have gone by with not a single catch and the flanking crew is getting bored. Yep, I’ve been there.
Seriously, sometimes the right rope or the right tools can make a big difference. You probably wouldn’t see a 50 or 60 foot long pasture or ranch rope in the NFR Team Roping. Now, don’t get me wrong every cowboy or buckaroo has gotten by in a pinch with whatever they had at the time.
You can pick up any kind of western tack catalog or magazine and see the multitude of rope selections. It becomes apparent that the sky is the limit on specific types, diameters, and “lays” of ropes. I’m sure that if you’ve handled a rope or two, then you already have your favorite brand. You like a certain length, diameter, and lay picked to do the job just right. If you haven’t handled a rope, then the selection process is pretty much like choosing the right tool for the do-it-yourselfer. You probably wouldn’t use a sledge hammer to drive in a small nail to hold a picture on the wall.
Are you using the proper tools?
What will you be roping? Is it calves out of the roping chute or dragging calves to the branding fire? What part of the United States are you in? Is it in the Great Basin of Nevada and parts of Utah or Colorado, Wyoming, New Mexico, or Texas? Simply put, it boils down to being equipped to do the job that you set out to get accomplished.
In our lives following Christ we need to equip ourselves with the right tools to accomplish what He has set before us. Are you a husband or wife? What specifically in His word are you using to ensure growth in that area? Are you a dad or mom? Have you selected the right “rope” for yourself in this area? By doing so, how is that helping your children grow in their walk and getting ready for the next phase of their life? In what other areas of your life do you need to be equipped? Are you searching out those directions and truths in God’s Word?
In Hebrews we find these words, “Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.” (Hebrews 13:20-21 NIV)
I hope and pray that you’re allowing Him to “equip you with everything good for doing His will.”
Let’s see…I guess this would be a good excuse to buy a new rope!
I’ll see ya’ll out in the pasture!
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Posted in: Featured, Horse Supplies, Ranch Life
About Wendel Elliott
Wendel Elliott is a cowboy preacher, serving right at six years as pastor of Big Bend Cowboy Church in Alpine, TX. He also manages a cow/calf operation in the area. Wendel's writing and messages come straight from ranching experiences and the Western way of life....