For as long as cowboys and cowgirls have inhabited the landscape of the American West, they have been throwing loops and roping cattle. A vital skill on ranches and cattle operations, roping allowed workers to doctor injured herd members, perform preventive care, and brand or tag calves. Born from necessity, it quickly gained recreational appeal as bets were wagered over which team could rope a steer the fastest or who might be the quickest with a piggin’ string.
