COW WORKING AND RANCH ROPING CLINIC Hi, horse lovers. It's Suzie George again telling you about a very popular clinic. The rider will use all his horsemanship skills while challenging himself (or herself) to learning new skills of cow working and ranch roping. You will learn to build a loop and throw a variety of head and heel shots using a 45 or 60 foot ranch rope. Concentration will be on the communication between horse and rider in completing skills of driving, separating, roping, and tying down cattle. All of these done in a fun and safe environment. Gerald, the clinician and my wonderful husband, does a great job of breaking each skill down into small progressive steps. We have people of all ages attend this clinic, from young children to senior citizens. You'll have a ball!   The First Step of Handling the Ranch Rope Knowing how to build a loop, swing the loop, and throw different heel, hip, and head shots are best started on the ground using saw horses as the cow.   Preparing Your Horse for Roping Getting your horse use to a swinging rope is best started on the ground before stepping into the saddle. When he feels comfortable with the rope swinging in the air and dragging on the ground from all sides, the next step is to do the same while in the saddle. You will start this just standing, then at a walk, trot, and lope. The rider will need to feel comfortable too, doing these rope skill at the different transitions. Now with both horse and rider familiar with the swinging ranch rope, practicing the various heel, hip, and head shots while in the saddle is still done on the saw horse. Before you know it, you and your horse will be ready to rope the real thing.   Letting the Horse Get Use to the Cattle Some horses have never seen cattle before the clinic and don't know what to make of them. Depending on the horse, various steps are used to let the horse get aquainted with the steers in a comfortable way. Often times a horse loves the new challenge and understands his job in the involvment of working cattle.