Logan Harkey walks through how he sets up his knot ropes for calf roping.
What is a knot Rope?
First, let’s talk about a knot rope and why you should start incorporating it into your tie-down practice sessions. A knot rope is a rope with a knot that is tied into the loop itself, preventing it from closing tightly around the calf’s head. This allows you to practice tracking, catching and dallying without having to remove the rope from the calf.
Here's How to set up a knot Rope
Tie the Knot
Start out by tying a knot within your loop. Logan Harkey explains that he doesn't have a set loop size when it comes to a knot rope. Instead of focusing on a specific measurement, he emphasizes the importance of making the loop large enough to come off the calf's head cleanly.
Add the Zip Ties
Logan Harkey uses two to three zip ties to cinch the hondo down, ensuring it's small enough that it won’t tighten on the calf’s neck during the run. This setup allows the rope to catch on the knot instead, preventing it from slipping and tightening.
Connect It To the Saddle Horn
Run the rope through either your keeper or a neck rope and up over the horn.
"If you're home alone or roping by yourself, I would try and stick with a knot rope or breakaway because things happen out of our control and you want the rope to come off that calf."
Join Roping.com today
From short, one-minute roping tips to hours of full-length training sessions from World Champions like Jake Barnes, Lari Dee Guy, Shad Mayfield, Clay O’Brien Cooper, Caleb Smidt, and Patrick Smith, Roping.com is the ultimate experience for every type of roper. As the exclusive home of Trevor Brazile and Miles Baker’s Relentless Remuda and the Richards’ A&C Racing and Roping, Roping.com is also the best rope-horse training resource in the industry. Start your free trial today. Click here.
