Once upon a time, using a lasso rope was a necessary means of survival in the American Wild West. Cowboys developed incredible roping skills because their lives depended on it. These days, roping is practiced more for recreational fun or as a professional sport. If you're one of the many people interested in taking up roping then read on to discover how to choose the best lasso rope for beginners.
Lasso Tips For Beginners
The best piece of advice for when you're learning how to use a lasso is to start from the ground first. Learn how to handle the lasso well before you start trying to use it from the back of horses. Once you're confident looping, throwing and pulling the slack, then it's safe to try from a horse. Start throwing over static, none living targets first to perfect your aim.
With lasso throwing, practice makes perfect and repetition is key. As you repeatedly practice throwing, the techniques will become imprinted in your muscle memory. Eventually, you'll be riding and throwing effortlessly without even having to think about it, even though this might seem impossible at first. It's a good idea to have some lessons, join a club or get advice from a professional. Without guidance, you can easily step into bad habits without realizing.
How To Choose The Best Lasso Rope For Beginners
When you're just starting out using a lasso rope then you need to choose one that's easy to work with. If you don't get one that's suitable for beginners then you might find yourself struggling to pick up new skills. Take a look at our list below of the main things to take into consideration to ensure you find the best lasso ropes.
1. What Will You be Using it for?
Lassos for trick roping are quite different from the ones used as team ropes in adult rodeo so you need to choose lasso ropes depending on your activity. A rodeo lasso lariat rope needs to be longer and softer than a lasso for tricks. If you're using a lasso to catch an animal then the rope has to be kind to the animal and kind on your hands when they're holding the pressure.
2. What's the Best Lasso Material?
Regardless of what you'll be using the lasso rope for, as a beginner, it's better to start with a lasso rope made from soft, lightweight material. Hemp and nylon made lariats are choice materials in the roping world. The pros of these materials are that they are soft and lightweight. The cons are that they can sometimes be a little bit too light and stretchy. It's for this reason that you'll find ropes that are made with a combination of synthetic materials for extra durability. Usually, stretchy nylon will pair well with poly material for extra strength and weight.
For trick roping, the traditional choice is braided cotton for extra stiffness or a synthetic material. Some ropes will come with a wax coating to protect the lasso lariat rope and increase the grip. Another durability feature to look out for is a hand sewn leather burner. A leather burner helps to protect the honda from wear and tear.
3. What's the Lay?
The lay of lasso ropes is also known as the stiffness and ranges from extra soft to hard. The stiffness depends on how tight the strands of the rope are woven together, the tighter the strand, the stiffer the rope. When you're starting out with lassoing then it's always better to choose a soft to medium lariat rope as they are generally easier to handle. As you progress with your learning you can use stiffer ropes.
4. What's the Best Thickness?
Full or 'true' lasso ropes will be 3/8” in diameter, ropes that are thinner than this are known as 'scant' or light ropes. As a beginner, you can use any thickness, however, thinner ones will be a bit lighter and will allow for a little extra grip on the reins.
5. What Length Should I Choose?
As a beginner, you'll want to start with a shorter rope until you master the skills. For trick roping, the best lasso to choose would be between 12 feet long and 15 feet long, choosing 15 feet if you're a bit taller.
For cattle or team roping then you should choose one between 25 and 30 feet long. Avoid buying a traditional ranchers rope as these are very long and very heavy and you'll struggle to learn with it. As an adult starting out in roping, sometimes it's good to consider buying a junior size rope. These are the ideal length and weight for learning.
How to Take Care of a Lasso Rope
When it comes to caring for your lasso rope, the most important thing is to keep it dry and make sure it doesn't get damp. If your lasso is left wet or damp then it will lose its rigidity. Wipe the lasso down after using it and consider buying a rope bag to store it in to keep it dust-free. It's a good idea to frequently check your rope for any kinks, fraying and damage. Using a worn out rope can be dangerous if you're using it for cattle roping.
When you first buy a rope you might have to soften it and break it in by stretching it out. One way to do this is to tie the rope to a post and use your horse or a car to pull it tight. The more you use your lasso the more supple it will become so make sure that you use it regularly.
Reviews of 5 Best Selling Lasso Ropes for Beginners
To give you a clear idea of the type of rope you should be looking for as a beginner, we've reviewed five of our favorite lassos on the market.
1. AJ Tack Wholesale Medium Lay 20 Feet Rope with Burner
This is a very durable cowboy rope from AJ Tack that's made from twisted nylon and has a comfortable waxed finish. You'll find it easy to handle with its scant 5/6 inch diameter and medium level of thickness. It comes with a stylish, hand sewn leather burner which gives it a smart, professional look. Overall, the weight and stiffness of this rope will suit you well if you're a beginner.
2. Western Stage Props Cotton 15 Feet Long Trick Rope
When it comes to trick roping then this high quality rope from Western Stage Props is made for the job. They've been making ropes in the USA for over thirty years so their quality is assured. It's made from 100 per cent braided cotton giving it the perfect weight and stiffness to perform most rope tricks. This is a great beginners rope for both adults and children.
3. Colorado Saddlery Junior Roping Kit
If you're serious about roping or have a kid that is, then you may want to invest in a whole starter package. This kids roping kit from Colorado Saddlery includes everything you need to perfect your skills before trying out on a live animal. It comes with a sturdy plastic steer head target and bale prop as well as gloves and a rope to practice with. A great kit for if you want to try out roping for beginners.
4. Tough-1 30 Feet Medium Lay Lariat
This is a strong and durable beginners rope from Tough 1. It's made with a braided weave over a stretchy nylon core and it's coated with wax for extra comfort and grip. It looks stylish with a hand sewn leather burner and the scant design with medium lay makes this a great lasso rope for learning with.
5. Colorado Saddlery 30 Feet Silver Dot Vet Rope
This is a high-quality, adult rodeo lasso rope that's favored by professionals because of its unique special quick-release metal honda that replaces the traditional leather burner. It's made from strong Dungoness rope that's tough and durable yet has very soft handling. This is a high-end, long lasting, highly functioning, rope that will suit you well as a beginner.
Our Top Choice
When it comes to selecting the best lasso rope for beginners, the AJ Tack Wholesale Rope would definitely be a good choice. As well as being highly durable, it looks very smart and professional and is easy to use making it the best ranch rope for beginners. We like the hand sewn leather burner that gives it an extra edge and there are many happy customer reviews endorsing the function of this high quality AJ Tack lariat rope.
Conclusion
When you're just starting out with roping, don't be embarrassed to choose a junior size, these can be ideal for learning. As you learn more you'll want to experiment with different ropes and eventually, you'll get a natural feel for the lasso that's right for you. Hopefully, this guide has provided you with everything you need to know so that you can confidently choose the best lasso rope for beginners.
