Lasso: The Iconic Cowboy Tool

The lasso, an iconic symbol of cowboy culture, is an essential tool used by cowboys and vaqueros to catch and restrain livestock. Also known as a lariat, reata, or riata, this long rope with a loop at one end has a rich history and remains an indispensable part of modern ranching and rodeo events.

Understanding the construction, usage, and various types of lassos is crucial for appreciating the skill and craftsmanship involved in this traditional cowboy art.

What Is A Lasso

A lasso, also known as a lariat, reata, or riata, is a long rope with a loop at one end used by cowboys and vaqueros (Mexican cowboys) to catch and restrain livestock, primarily cattle and horses. It is an essential tool for cowboys and an iconic symbol of cowboy culture.

Lasso Construction and Design

A lasso is made from stiff rope, typically nylon or polyester, so that the noose (loop) stays open when thrown. The rope is usually 5/16 to 3/8 inches (8-9.5 mm) in diameter and 28 to 70 feet (8.5-21 m) long, depending on the intended use. One end of the lasso has a small reinforced loop called a honda or hondo, through which the rope passes to form the throwing loop. The honda can be made from a honda knot, eye splice, seizing, rawhide, or metal ring. The other end may have a small, tight overhand knot to prevent fraying. Longer lassos, ranging from 50 to over 100 feet (15-30 m), made of braided or twisted rawhide, agave, or cotton, are used for ranch work and are called reatas.

Lasso Usage

The lasso is used in rodeo events like calf roping and team roping, as well as on working ranches to capture and restrain livestock when necessary. After catching the animal, the lasso can be wrapped (dallied) around the saddle horn, allowing the cowboy to use their horse as a winch to control the animal's movement. Trick roping, a performance of lasso spinning tricks, is also part of the cowboy culture, with famous practitioners like Will Rogers and Buck Brannaman.

Other Cowboy Equipment

In addition to the lasso, cowboys rely on several other essential tools and equipment, including fence pliers (for mending fences), a digging bar (for digging post holes), a hoof pick (for removing rocks from horses' hooves), a cowboy hat (for protection from sun and rain), a Leatherman multi-tool (for various tasks like cutting twine), a wild rag (a versatile cloth used for various purposes), spurs (for communicating with and controlling the horse), and a saddle (the cowboy's "workbench" and essential equipment).

Types of Lassos Used in Rodeos

There are several types of lassos (ropes) used in different rodeo events:

Team Roping

• Header rope: Usually 30-35 feet long, made of braided nylon or polyester. Used by the header to catch the steer's head/horns.

• Heeler rope: Slightly longer at 35-40 feet, also made of braided nylon or polyester. Used by the heeler to catch the steer's hind legs.

Tie-Down Roping

• Calf roping rope: Around 30 feet long, made of braided nylon or polyester. Used to catch and tie the calf's legs.

Steer Wrestling

• Trip rope: Around 35 feet long, made of grass or nylon. Used by the hazer to turn and trip the steer.

Bull Riding

• Bull rope: Around 9 feet long, made of braided nylon or polyester. Has a bell/hondo on one end and a loop on the other to go around the bull.

Additionally, longer ropes called reatas or riatas, made of braided rawhide or maguey fiber, ranging from 50-100+ feet, are used on working ranches for general ranch roping tasks. The materials, lengths, and construction of the ropes are optimized for the specific rodeo event and the size/weight of the animal being roped. Nylon and polyester are favored for their stiffness, which helps the loop stay open during the throw.

Lasso vs Lariat: Key Differences

The key differences between a lasso and a lariat

• A lasso is a verb that refers to the action of throwing a looped rope to catch something, usually livestock. For example, "The cowboy lassoed the calf."

• A lariat is a noun that refers to the actual rope tool used for lassoing. It is a stiff rope with a reinforced loop on one end called a honda or hondo, designed to keep the loop open when thrown.

Some additional distinctions

• Lasso is commonly used by non-cowboys/laypeople, while lariat is the preferred term among actual cowboys and ranchers.

• Calling a lariat a "lasso" is considered a sign of being an outsider or novice in cowboy culture.

• A lariat is made from stiff materials like nylon or polyester to maintain the open loop shape when thrown. A regular rope may not work as well for lassoing.

• Lariats come in different lengths optimized for different purposes - shorter (28-35 feet) for rodeo roping events, longer (45-100 feet) for ranch work roping cattle from horseback.

So in summary, lasso refers to the action/verb of throwing the looped rope, while lariat is the noun referring to the specialized rope tool designed and used by cowboys and vaqueros for that lassoing action.

Main Uses: Lasso vs Lariat

The main uses of a lasso (the verb) versus a lariat (the noun referring to the rope tool) are:

Lasso (verb)

• Refers to the action of throwing a looped rope to catch or restrain something, usually livestock like cattle or horses.

• Used in rodeo events like calf roping, team roping, and steer wrestling to rope the animals.

• Also used on working ranches to catch livestock for activities like branding, doctoring, etc.

Lariat (noun)

• The actual rope tool used for lassoing, with a reinforced loop (honda/hondo) on one end to keep the loop open when thrown.

• Comes in different lengths and materials optimized for different purposes:

  • Shorter lariats (28-35 feet) made of stiff nylon or polyester for rodeo roping events where speed is key.

  • Longer lariats (45-100 feet) made of softer materials like cotton or rawhide for ranch work where more control is needed.

• Can also be used for ranch skills like rope tricks, ranch rodeos, etc.

So in essence, "lassoing" is the action performed with a "lariat" as the tool. A lasso is the verb, while a lariat is the noun referring to the specialized rope implement used by cowboys and vaqueros for that lassoing action, whether in rodeos or on working ranches.

Lasso Throwing Techniques

There is no fundamental difference in the throwing techniques between a lasso and a lariat, as they refer to the same tool - a stiff rope with a reinforced loop on one end used for catching livestock. The throwing technique is essentially the same whether one refers to it as "lassoing" with a lariat or simply throwing a lasso/lariat:

1. Form a large loop in the lariat, holding the honda loop in one hand and the coils in the other.

2. Twirl the loop overhead using primarily a wrist/arm motion to build momentum, not full arm swings.

3. When the loop is rotating perpendicular to the target, release the loop by extending the arm and opening the hand at the precise moment when the loop's momentum pulls it from your hand.

4. Follow through by continuing the arm motion after release to guide the loop towards the target.

Grip Used for Lasso vs Lariat

There is no difference in the grip or throwing technique used for a lasso versus a lariat, as they refer to the same tool. The grip and throwing motion are identical whether one refers to "lassoing" with a lariat or simply throwing a lasso/lariat:

• The main grip holds the honda loop (reinforced loop on one end) in one hand, with the other hand holding the coiled rope.

• The throwing hand grips just behind the honda loop, with the loop passing between the thumb and forefinger.

• The other hand holds the coiled rope with the coils arranged to feed smoothly as the loop is thrown.

There is no fundamental difference in how this grip is employed for a "lasso" versus a "lariat" - the terms just refer to the action versus the tool itself. So in essence, cowboys use the same grip and throwing technique regardless of whether they say "I'm throwing my lasso" or "I'm throwing my lariat." The grip involves holding the reinforced honda loop in one hand and the coiled rope in the other to feed smoothly during the throw.

Cowboys' Use of Lassos

Yes, cowboys did and still do use lassos (also called lariats or riatas) as an essential tool for their work with livestock. Here are some key points about cowboys' use of lassos:

• Lassos are made of stiff rope, typically nylon or polyester, with a reinforced honda loop on one end to keep the loop open when thrown.

• They allow cowboys to catch and restrain cattle or horses from horseback, which is crucial for handling large herds over long distances.

• After roping an animal, the lasso can be wrapped (dallied) around the saddle horn to use the horse's strength to control the animal.

• Lassos come in different lengths optimized for different purposes - shorter (28-35 feet) for rodeo events like calf roping, longer (45-100 feet) for working ranch cattle.

• The skill of throwing the lasso loop accurately while on a moving horse takes extensive practice that cowboys develop over years of experience.

• Lassos were adopted by American cowboys from the Spanish vaqueros, who had used similar tools for roping cattle and horses.

• Beyond their practical ranch use, lassos are also used in rodeo events like calf roping and trick roping performances showcasing the cowboy's roping skills.

So in summary, the lasso has been and remains an indispensable tool for working cowboys to rope and handle livestock from horseback, both historically on long cattle drives and still today on modern ranches. Its use is deeply embedded in cowboy culture and skills.

Lassos in Rodeos

The lasso (also called lariat or riata) became an integral part of rodeo events because they originated from the practical ranch skills and tools used by working cowboys. Here are some key points about how the lasso was incorporated into rodeos:

• Cowboys on working ranches used lassos extensively to catch and restrain cattle and horses for activities like branding, doctoring, etc. Their roping skills were essential.

• As rodeos emerged in the late 19th century as informal cowboy competitions, roping events were a natural fit to showcase the cowboys' cattle handling abilities using their lasso skills.

• The calf roping event directly translated the ranch task of roping and restraining a calf for branding or medical treatment. It became one of the first and most popular rodeo events.

• Team roping, where a header ropes the steer's horns and a heeler ropes the hind legs, also mirrored common ranch work of immobilizing cattle.

• Steer wrestling involved a lasso (trip rope) to bring down a steer by catching its horns and legs, similar to restraining cattle on a ranch.

• Even bull riding incorporated a lasso in the form of the bull rope that wraps around the bull, allowing the rider to grip with one hand.

So in essence, the lasso transitioned seamlessly from an indispensable ranch tool to a centerpiece of rodeo events because those events were designed to showcase the cattle-handling skills, including roping, that working cowboys utilized daily with their lassos.

The lasso's prominence in rodeos helped cement its iconic status and association with cowboy culture in the American West. Its practical ranch origins made it a natural fit for the competitive rodeo arena.

What Cowboys Call Their Rope

The rope that cowboys use is called a lariat or riata. Here are the key points about this iconic cowboy tool:

• A lariat (also called riata or reata) is a long rope with a reinforced loop on one end used by cowboys to catch and restrain livestock like cattle and horses.

• It is made from stiff rope, typically nylon or polyester, so the loop stays open when thrown. The reinforced loop is called a honda or hondo.

• Lariats come in different lengths optimized for different purposes - shorter (28-35 feet) for rodeo events like calf roping, longer (45-100 feet) for ranch work roping cattle from horseback.

• The term "lasso" refers to the verb/action of throwing the looped rope, while "lariat" is the noun referring to the rope tool itself.

• Calling it a "lasso" is considered a sign of being an outsider or novice in cowboy culture. Real cowboys simply call it a "rope."

What Do Cowboys Call A Lasso

Cowboys typically do not refer to their roping tool as a "lasso". Instead, they simply call it a "rope" or more specifically, a "lariat", "riata", or "reata". Here are the key points:

• "Lasso" is considered a layperson's term by real working cowboys and ranch hands. Using it identifies someone as an outsider or novice in cowboy culture.

• The proper nouns for the roping tool are "lariat", "riata", or "reata" - all derived from the Spanish term "la reata" meaning to catch or tie.

• Cowboys simply refer to it as their "rope" when talking about the tool they use for roping cattle or horses on the ranch or in rodeo events like calf roping.

• Calling it a "lasso" is seen as a sign of being uninformed about true cowboy language and tools of the trade.

So in summary, the lasso is the layperson's term, while real cowboys call their iconic roping tool a "rope", "lariat", "riata" or "reata", but never a "lasso". Using the proper cowboy terminology is a mark of authenticity in their culture and avoids being labeled an outsider.

Materials Used for Making Lariats

According to the search results, there are several common materials used for making lariats (lassos/ropes used by cowboys):

Natural Fibers

• Hemp - Prized for its long, strong fibers that provide durability and some moisture resistance. A traditional lariat material.

• Cotton - Another traditional natural fiber used for its grip and feel.

• Manila rope (from abacá plant fibers) - Good tensile strength while still gentle on hands, making it suitable for beginners.

• Sisal and Agave fibers - Used to make tough, coarse maguey lariats with strong grip for handling livestock.

• Rawhide - Leather strands were commonly used for very long ranch reatas/riatas before modern materials.

Synthetic Fibers

• Nylon - The most popular modern material, valued for exceptional strength, stiffness to keep the loop open, elasticity, and longevity.

• Polyester - Offers superior UV resistance compared to nylon and doesn't lose strength when wet, though less elastic.

Other Materials

• Leather is often used to reinforce the honda/hondo loop on one end.

• Horsehair was historically used but is less common today due to lower strength.

The choice of material impacts the lariat's durability, weight, grip, stiffness and overall performance for different roping tasks and conditions. Nylon has become the preferred fiber for its optimal characteristics in modern lariat construction.

Best Rope for Lassoing Cattle

Based on the search results, the best type of rope for lassoing cattle is typically a lariat made of nylon or polyester. Here are the key points:

Materials

• Nylon is the most popular and recommended material for lariats/lassos used in roping cattle. It is strong, stiff to keep the loop open, has good elasticity, and is very durable.

• Polyester is another excellent synthetic option as it provides superior UV resistance compared to nylon and doesn't lose strength when wet, though it has slightly less elasticity.

Construction

• Lariats for cattle roping are usually made of braided or twisted nylon/polyester rope around 5/16 to 3/8 inches (8-9.5mm) in diameter.

• They have a reinforced honda/hondo loop on one end made of leather, rawhide or a metal ring to maintain the loop shape when thrown.

Length

• For working ranch cattle, longer lariats ranging from 45 to over 100 feet are preferred to allow for greater reach and control from horseback.

• Shorter 28-35 foot lariats are used in rodeo events like calf roping where a faster throw and catch is needed.

The stiffness, strength and elasticity of nylon or polyester lariats make them ideal for the rigors of roping and controlling large cattle. Their construction with a reinforced honda loop allows the loop to be thrown accurately and stay open until release.

While natural fibers like cotton, manila and leather were historically used, modern synthetic lariats have become the standard for both ranch work and rodeo events involving roping cattle due to their superior performance and durability characteristics.

Breaking In a New Lasso Rope

Here are some best practices for breaking in a new lasso rope (lariat) based on the search results:

• Start with short throws against a stable target like a fence post or roping dummy. This allows you to assess the rope's stiffness and make adjustments.

• Attach one end of the rope to a secure post and the other end to your saddle horn. Back your horse up to put tension on the rope and hold for a few minutes. Repeat as needed to increase flexibility.

• Run the rope through your hands or over a stair railing a few times in a controlled manner. This helps loosen up the fibers without dragging or damaging the rope.

• Use the rope frequently, ideally every day if possible. The more you use it, the faster it will break in and gain the desired suppleness.

• After each practice session, wipe down the rope to remove dirt and grime that can cause stiffening over time.

• For nylon or polyester ropes, some ropers recommend soaking the rope in hot water for 30 minutes to an hour before the initial break-in process to help soften the fibers.

• Avoid excessive dragging of the rope which can damage the fibers and cause premature wear.

• Be patient - breaking in a new lariat takes time and consistent use. The rope will continue to gain optimal feel and performance with more roping repetitions.

The key is using controlled tension and your hands, not abrasion, to slowly loosen up the stiff fibers of a new lasso rope through gradual and proper break-in techniques.

Conclusion

The lasso, or lariat, has been an integral part of cowboy culture for centuries, evolving from its humble beginnings with natural fibers like hemp and rawhide to modern synthetic materials like nylon and polyester. Its versatility and effectiveness in catching and controlling livestock have made it an indispensable tool for working cowboys on ranches and in competitive rodeo events. The skill required to master the lasso is a testament to the dedication and expertise of the cowboys who use it daily. As the iconic symbol of the American West, the lasso will continue to be a vital part of cowboy life, preserving the rich heritage and traditions of this unique culture for generations to come.

Richard Sutherland

RichardSutherland@bitsnspurs.org

Richard is a western lifestyle author for Bits N' Spurs, the weekly newsletter that keeps pace with today's rodeo. His articles are featured on dozens of rodeo and Western related websites and provide a window to the world of cowboy culture.