Ways to Tighten a Bull Rope

All bull ropes are made basically the same--12 feet in length, half of which is the 5, 7 or 9 plait tail. Getting the rope around the bull and tightened comes in two steps, “setting” and “pulling” the rope. Rosin plays a vital role in the rider keeping a hold on the rope. Rosin, which comes in white and black, is worked into the rope and handle. Black rock rosin is the preferred choice as it is tackier than white. An experienced helper is needed when it comes time to set and pull the rope.

  1. Setting the Rope

    • Once the bull is in the chute, get up on the chute and lower the rope, bells first, down alongside the bull. The rope goes down the side of the bull opposite your riding hand, and just behind his front legs. Have your helper hook the loop of the rope from the opposite side of the chute and pull it up. Take the loop and run the tail of the rope through the loop. Each bull is a different size, so the bolen knot making the loop will have to be undone and the loop retied to fit the bull. The loop is the proper size when the end of the loop, that the tail is pulled up against, just comes out from under the bull’s belly going up his side, which leaves 18 to 24 inches of rope between the edge of the handle and the loop. Once the bolen is tied, slide the rope back around the bull so the bells are hanging directly under him and the handle is over the spine. Snug up the rope so it sets just behind the bull’s front legs. Tuck the tail of the rope under the handle and step out of the chute until it is time to pull the rope. Do not wear your riding glove while setting the rope.

    Pulling the Rope

    • You have to be up on the chute getting ready to ride when the preceding rider is getting down on his bull. Sit down on the bull, hand the rope’s tail to your helper who holds it up tight, grip the rope and run your gloved hand up and down the tail to heat the rosin. Have him let off on the rope as you work your hand back and forth in the handle warming the rosin. Slide your gloved hand into the handle with your little finger lined up with the bull’s spine. Hold the handle up off the bull as the helper slowly pulls the rope up and tighter; let your hand descend to the bull’s back as he pulls. Keep pulling the rope until the handle is tight against your hand. Pull back on the handle while pushing the bull’s hide forward and away from the handle to clear the loose hide out from under the handle. Take the tail from the helper; keep the tension on the rope as you lay it over the handle and your open hand. Wrap the tail around the back of your hand, lay the tail back over your hand again, clamp your hand down on the rope and lay the remaining tail on the bull in front of your hand. Scoot up tight against your hand and call for the gate.