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WhoDoesntLikeADonut t1_j23uajj wrote

Ok so you’re trying to catch a moving bovine. You might be trying to catch them around the head, or the heels. But in either case, you’re moving yourself on a horse, and then also trying to capture something moving so it can be tricky to get your timing right.

For example. If you’re trying to heel a steer, there’s a very specific moment where you have to throw so the loop goes around both hind legs. So you have to get you/your horse/your steer in the right spot to get it done and then time it perfectly and it’s all very fast.

The twirling the rope gets and keeps it ready for when your moment appears.

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constantwa-onder t1_j254uth wrote

The other parts going on that are unsaid in this:

Your legs and shifting weight are helping to steer the horse while at speed and keeping your balance.

Your off hand is keeping the coils loose and untangled, so the extra rope will play out freely when you throw.

Your off hand is preparing to safely dally on the saddle horn, aka wrap quickly to lock in tension. You can and will get injured if this goes wrong. From severe rope burn to losing a thumb.

Keeping a repetitive motion with a 5 foot loop spinning over your head is helping keep the working end of the rope out of the way, preparing it to throw at the right time, and using muscle memory to help coordinate all the other actions going on simultaneously.

Beyond that, each rope is different as well, some are twisted for left hand vs right hand, some are stiffer, some are well broken in. The force of spinning keeps the loop from collapsing and getting twisted up.

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WildlifePolicyChick t1_j24s4z6 wrote

Well described. I think people don't get how the timing has to come together, and much of it is out of your control? So the best thing involved - and about the only thing you have total control over - is to have your lasso at the ready for when that perfect moment comes.

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