10/27/2026
Even if you don’t want to rope… My answer will always be buy the old rope horse lol
BUY THE OLD ROPE HORSE!
Want to learn to rope? Here's my advice: buy the old rope horse.
When we decided to get my wife, Courtney, a horse to learn to rope on, we weren't looking for the fanciest horse in the pen. We wanted one that had been there, done that, and knew its job.
An older, seasoned rope horse can be worth their weight in gold for someone learning. A good one has seen the sights, heard the noises, and been exposed to the things that might otherwise make an unseasoned horse nervous. They don't need to be extremely fast or fancy. They need to be safe, consistent, forgiving, and willing to take care of their rider.
When you're learning to rope, you've already got plenty to think about. You're trying to manage your rope, get your swing right, find your target, and figure out when to throw. The last thing you need is to be worrying about is what your horse might do next.
A good old rope horse can give you the confidence and consistency you need to focus on learning your new skill.
Now, that doesn't mean every older horse is automatically a good beginner horse. Temperament, soundness, training, and the individual horse's experience matter far more than age alone. Find one that suits your ability and what you want to learn.
You don't need a million-dollar horse to get started. Sometimes the best investment you can make is a good old partner who's already got a few miles on them. Purchasing this (then) 20-year old gelding is the best decision we have made for Courtney's roping and he has been a true blessing to our family.
Buy the old rope horse. Your future self might thank you for it!
