roping goats

mrs_zog · #1 09/02/08, 09:17 PM

Do any of you have experience with roping goats? I am wondering at what age/weight would be appropriate to do so. We told my brother in law that he could practice on any bucklings turned wethers we had--and that's all we got. I know that there is such a thing as a "break-away" rope, but would they be effective roping a kid from the ground?

ozark_jewels · #2 09/02/08, 09:33 PM

I have no experience with this past seeing it done at a rodeo. Not to be offensive, but I wouldn't allow it with my goats, even if they were wethers destined for the freezer.

thaiblue12 · #3 09/02/08, 10:14 PM

I have seen it and they also have short videos on youtube and I would never allow it. I would never sell to anyone who says that it what they plan on doing. Sorry no offense to your brother in law but I do not care for goat roping/tying.
The goat might never trust humans again and if they are tame now might not be later.

BethW · #4 09/03/08, 02:34 PM

The very idea makes me sad.

Rockytopsis · #5 09/03/08, 02:55 PM

To answer your question as best as I can, I have never roped a goat but a friend of mine does when he has a hard time rounding up for market. The ones he ropes are 50 to 60 pounds. I see no difference in ropeing goats or calfs. JMO

Karenrbw · #6 09/03/08, 03:00 PM

Break-away roping is for youngsters to rope steers. The time is stopped when the string tying the rope to the saddle horns breaks. They don't normally rope goats for rodeos. They use them for goat tying. This is an event for girls or young boys. The goat is staked in the arena and the competitor rides up to the goat, dismounts, throws the goat on their side, ties three of the legs together and competes for the quickest time.

RiverPines · #7 09/03/08, 04:20 PM

I have a friend that is involved in it. Usually the weight preferred is 50 to 75 pounds.

And as to the comment of the goat never trusting humans again, you dont want a pet goat for roping.
That would be like bronco busting a trail horse. LOL

Its a really challenging sport to say the least. It takes patients, practice and skill.
And, its no different than calf roping or even steer roping except its with goats!

ozark_jewels · #8 09/03/08, 04:56 PM

Its totally up to the individual. As I said, I wouldn't allow it with *my* goats.
I apologize though for even commenting as it was not relivant to the original question.

DQ · #9 09/03/08, 05:00 PM

well I think it is a little different. in calf roping the animal at least has the impression that it can escape. big difference in that and a horse charging up to a goat that is tied/staked to the ground. I've seen the videos and the goats are terrified. As they should be, a 1000lb horse charging to them means "they are going to come over here and kill me!" and then they say "oh *%$& and I'm tied to the freakin ground!" as a comparison it would rather be like us being in a plane crash where you jsut get to sit there and wait till you hit the ground watching it get closer and closer and all you can do is wait for impact. I've seen plenty of calf roping and the calves barely look like they care. its not the same.

Carolyn · #10 09/03/08, 08:27 PM

I won't sell to anyone goat roping either--- I have heard of broken legs and one time, one of the rodeos used a young goat and the roper put her knee on the the ribcage with so much pressure, it actually "popped" a big herna out and brode ribs --but then "oh well, its jsut a goat"

. Carolyn

whinnyninny · #11 09/03/08, 08:42 PM

For "practice", there might be some sort of mechanical or dummy goat to use.

Okay, I just did a Google search:

http://www.tytuff.com/
http://cowboyoutfitters.com/rotydu.html

G. Seddon · #12 09/03/08, 08:45 PM

IMO, roping ANY animal for the "fun" of it is abhorrent. From an animal's point of view, I consider most rodeo events to be horribly cruel, exploiting animals for entertainment and money. If anyone wanted an animal of mine to practice on, I'd be chasing, roping, throwing, and tying that person a few times first to see how he liked it. My opinion!!!

RiverPines · #13 09/04/08, 03:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by G. Seddon

IMO, roping ANY animal for the "fun" of it is abhorrent. From an animal's point of view, I consider most rodeo events to be horribly cruel, exploiting animals for entertainment and money. If anyone wanted an animal of mine to practice on, I'd be chasing, roping, throwing, and tying that person a few times first to see how he liked it. My opinion!!!

Animal exploiting for entertainment and money is wrong?
Then all those dog shows and 4H competitions and all the showing in any competition for animals must go.

crazygoatgal · #14 09/04/08, 03:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DQ

well I think it is a little different. in calf roping the animal at least has the impression that it can escape. big difference in that and a horse charging up to a goat that is tied/staked to the ground. I've seen the videos and the goats are terrified. As they should be, a 1000lb horse charging to them means "they are going to come over here and kill me!" and then they say "oh *%$& and I'm tied to the freakin ground!" as a comparison it would rather be like us being in a plane crash where you jsut get to sit there and wait till you hit the ground watching it get closer and closer and all you can do is wait for impact. I've seen plenty of calf roping and the calves barely look like they care. its not the same.

Not to offend anyone who does do it, but I agree with DQ. I can't imagine the fear that poor animal would have to experience for our pleasure/entertainment. As much as I enjoy watching rodeos on tv, I can't watch the roping segments for any animal. It just bothers me that they are unable to get away when they feel afraid. Just me though.

G. Seddon · #15 09/04/08, 07:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RiverPines

Animal exploiting for entertainment and money is wrong?
Then all those dog shows and 4H competitions and all the showing in any competition for animals must go.

I think not...to my knowledge most dogs in breed shows and agility are willing participants. Even the "greased pig" event at fairs has a more equal basis of competition. NOT SO IN RODEOS!!!

Cheribelle · #16 09/05/08, 03:52 PM

Someone once asked if I had a goat they could use for the rodeo event where ribbon is tied on the tail and the kids chase it until one pulls off the ribbon and wins. I said, nope. None of my goats would run!
As for the throw down, nah, I'm not thinking my goats are sturdy enough for that.