Left to Right Over the Hip Shot

Left to Right Hip Shot Left to Right Hip Shot Target Left to Right Hip Shot

This go round let's cover the Left to Right Over the Hip Shot. This is the matching shot to the Right to Left Over the Hip Shot we covered previously. The biggest difference is the stock will be facing in the opposite direction moving from the roper's left to right. This places the heeler on the opposite side of the animal as before on the Right to Left Over the Hip Shot.

Better think on this one for a moment. We are going to use the hip (target) of the animal or dummy to hinge our rope (base)--causing the tip to travel back towards us to form a trap in front of the rear legs. In this Left to Right position the right handed roper has to throw a houlihan swing in order to rotate the rope's tip in front of the legs. A forward swing by the heeler would wrap the tip behind the legs. A fellow would call that a "wad up" shot. Just "wad" the loop up in the air and hope for the best.

For this shot, rotate your loop with a houlihan swing as in the picture Left to Right Hip Shot. Think back to the phrase we used on the rotation of the houlihan shot, "houlihan, thumbs down." As you rotate your loop, swing the angle of the loop to match the target and movement of the animal or dummy. This is determined by how fast the animal or dummy is moving and where your angle of position is to the target. The loop size should be about 8- to 10-feet in diameter. Positioning yourself around 15 to 20 feet from the target works best. Get your ground work down pretty good first, the big loop will feel real funny horseback. Most especially the houlihan swing and its angle to make this shot over the hip. You will soon discover it takes a nice broke horse to position itself correctly in order to make this shot.

Keep in mind the actual target. You're not roping the legs, you're roping the opposite side hip. The hip and tail head will support the base of the rope and prevent the rope from falling off or down behind the animal or dummy. See photo Left to Right Hip Target.

The release of your loop is important. Toss the loop out and up so it can land down and over the hip. Your hand and fingers should work much like long tossing a baseball during the release.

What happens next is very important. As the loop lands on the target make a slight pull on the spoke of your rope. This will cause the physical movement of the loop's tip to travel back towards you and set the trap. Keep in mind you must let go of the rope at the time of release in order to achieve this. No different than releasing a conventional heel trap when team roping to allow the steer to step into the trap before taking up your slack. Take a peek at Left to Right Hip Trap. Pictured is how the trap should look after the shot has been thrown.

Hope you enjoy the challenge of learning this shot. I myself learned it in, "Ahhh, say around two sessions." I also have some registered steers for sale that are P-3's and making a nice bag. Take your time and have some fun, it's not a high percentage shot but it looks impressive when you hit.

Always remember "There's one bit that works on all horses, a bit of knowledge." Until next time I hope the good Lord blesses you, your family, and your livestock.

God Bless,

Pat

Pat Hooks is a day working cowboy from Texhoma, Okla. Hooks has taught clinics at national horse expo's and private ranches since 1989, and writes how-to articles for various national magazines, websites and is a published author. For more information on his books, DVD's, and clinics please go to www.hookshorseranch.com or call 580-423-7482.

Date: 7/17/09