How to Make Flank Rope

Bucking bulls perform feats of great athleticism in the arena and are bred specifically for their inherent bucking abilities based upon their bloodlines. Bull owners use a flank rope to enhance the kicking motion for the animal, giving him a better opportunity to unseat the cowboy trying to ride him. The flank rope is a simple piece of rope with a ring or hondo used to secure it to the bull. Former flankman for Rodeo Stock Contractors (RSC) Allan Jordan flanked bulls at seven National Finals Rodeos (NFR) and has judged 12. He made his own flank ropes, customizing to the bull's needs, and says that the ropes are easy to make, saving money over buying commercially made ropes.

Things You'll Need

  • 5-7 feet of poly-blended, nylon and cotton rope, or straight cotton threads
  • Rope twisting machine
  • Welded metal ring, 1 3/4 inch diameter
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Instructions

    • 1

      Twist the strands into a rope. Three strands make the ideal flank rope, creating a rope with more stretch than ropes made of more strands. Twisting can be accomplished with a motor or hand crank. Create your own simple machine by attaching three hooks to a piece of board and attaching a crank; hook the ends of the strands to each hook and twist the crank.

    • 2

      Tie one end of the rope into a knot to prevent fraying. Secure the end with a tightly wrapped piece of strong tape, though the knot will hold up better through repeated use. Ropes of different lengths are used, depending on the girth size of the bull on which the rope will be used.

    • 3

      Braid the ring into the other end of the rope by looping the rope through it and braiding it back into the body of the rope. Pull the braid tight to ensure that the ring will not come loose during a bull ride.

    • 4

      Loop the flank rope around the flank area of the bull while in the bucking chute and pull the end through the ring. Pull to the desired tightness and secure with a quick-release knot. The flank rope is never attached to the bull's genitals and often left looser rather than tighter to ensure the desired kicking action. When the bull rider is ready, release the bull and enjoy the ride.