Page 1015 - Adams and Stashak's Lameness in Horses, 7th Edition

Occupational‐Related Lameness Conditions 981

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Figure 9.31. A team roping run
just after the steer has been roped
and the head horse and rider
turned 90° so the heeler can rope
the heels. Note the right front limb
on the heading horse and left front
limb on the heeling horse.

TIE‐DOWN AND BREAKAWAY ROPING

Description of Event
Tie‐down roping, previously called calf roping, is
another timed roping event; however, it involves
only one horse and rider and one calf without horns.
Similar to team roping, the rider backs his horse into
the roping box located to the right of the calf, which
is confined in the chute. The calf is given a head
start, the score, which varies depending on the length
of the arena and the level of the roping event (pro­
fessional calf ropers have a longer score compared
with amateur ropers). A 10‐second penalty is assessed
if the horse and rider leave the roping box before the
calf reaches the predetermined score line. The horse
and rider chase the calf and the rider ropes it around
the neck. The rider dismounts as the rope comes
tight and must grab the calf’s flank and put him on
his side on the ground. The roper then ties three legs
together with a pigging string that he carries during
the run. The rider gets back on his horse, and the calf
must stay tied 6 seconds or he is disqualified. As the
rider dismounts, the horse comes to a sudden stop
(Figure 9.32) and backs up to take excess slack out
of the rope. This allows the roper to catch and flank
the calf. The calf roping horse constantly works the Figure 9.32. Tie‐down roper after roping the calf. As the roper
rope or keeps it tight throughout the entire run, dismounts, the horse comes to a quick stop and backs up to take
placing a tremendous amount of pressure on the the slack out of the rope, allowing the roper to tie the calf.
hindlimbs. A good tie‐down roping time is 8–9
seconds.
Breakaway roping is similar to tie‐down roping Musculoskeletal Injuries
except the ropers are women or children and the rider
does not dismount and tie the calf. The roper ropes the The stop is critical and demanding in these horses.
calf around the neck with a breakaway rope—a normal The horses are running at top speed and then must come
rope equipped with a breakaway device that releases the to a complete stop very quickly. Hindlimb lameness
calf as soon as the rope becomes tight. Horse and rider issues are very common. The most common musculo­
chase the calf, the calf is roped around the neck, and the skeletal injuries seen by the author are:
horse stops quickly, allowing the rope to come tight, at 1. Distal tarsal joint OA
which point the breakaway rope opens. Time is stopped 2. Medial femorotibial joint pain or arthritis
when the rope breaks free. A good time is 3–4 seconds 3. Hindlimb suspensory ligament desmitis and hindlimb
for the run. flexor tendinitis