Goat Tying has become a highly competitive event at all levels of rodeo, which requires physical ability and horsemanship. Better Basics Goat Tying Clinics are designed to improve each student's skill and technique for faster, more consistent and competitive times in the rodeo arena.

Students begin with instruction on fundamental skills and horsemanship. Each element of goat tying is broken down and worked on separately so that the students develop an understanding of the desired movements that are necessary to perform each task. Along with the instructional how, a why is also given, so that the students understand the importance of the technique. Instruction advances with the student's skill level to continually challenge and improve their performance. A variety of goats are at each clinic so that the students learn how to handle and win in any situation. Students are video taped throughout the clinic. Discussion periods cover equipment, how to practice and compete, physical condition, mental preparation and reviewing of video tapes. Jackpots are held to test the student's ability in a competition like setting.

Tip of the Month

Question:

I am starting a new horse for goat tying and wondering if you have any tips or steps that I should follow in training him. I would appreciate any information that you can share with me. Thank you. Dacia Bergeleen

If you have an arena this is easy- start with riding him down the fence at a walk & swing out in the frog position. If he stops encourage him to move forward again, when he does step down & lead him forward. They usually will stop again as you lower yourself down, but don't worry because leading him forward will help him stay moving as you add speed. If he doesn't worry about this, speed up to a trot. Get him to where he can trot & carry you in the frog position with out slowing down much & he stays moving as you step off. When he stays moving easily at a trot, then go ahead and add more speed. This will be over a week or so period of time, depending on your horse.

The shorter the sessions, the better for him. Keep him interested by not doing too much. Quit for the session when he does a couple good ones. Give him credit for small improvements!

As he gets comfortable with you stepping off of him start pushing him to go a little faster. When you get to where you're doing rodeo paced runs down the fence & stepping off then add a goat. If I have a helper, I stake the goat about 10 feet off the fence & have the helper hold the goat until I get there, so it doesn't run back into the fence. Start with riding him by until he doesn't look at the goat anymore, then go to leading him by- trotting & slow loping. Have a grain bucket or a buddy horse at the end of the arena so he knows where to run to after he gets by the goat. As he leads by easy & finds his reward (friend or grain) go ahead and start stepping off & tying the goat- again have the helper hold the goat until you get there so it can't run in front of the horse- or even lead the goat off to the left some to give your horse more room to run by depending on how your horse is working. Gradually add speed until you are going rodeo run pace- again this will take several weeks, depending on your horse. When he can go fast, slow down for you to step off & he runs straight to the end of the arena, then you can gradually move the goat farter off the fence- maybe 20 feet for one practice session and if he stays straight & it goes well, keep moving the goat out to the middle of the arena more. If at any time your horse doesn't work- frog or lead him by for a few runs to help straighten him out. If you need to move the goat back closer to the fence go ahead, this may allow you to ty the goat more so you get some practice in as well. Just pay attention to how your horse is working & adjust what you are doing from there. Frogging & leading him by will help keep him straight & to the end of the arena.

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