The team rope has come a long way from the days when a roper would buy a spool of string, cut off a portion of rope to their desired length, stretch, and treat it on their own, essentially making their own ropes. Early rope manufacturing companies like Cottar Rope Company laid the foundation for a market of premade ropes that were ready to use. In 1986, Classic Ropes was founded and began its journey of innovation that included the first poly-blend rope, the first 4 and 5-strand ropes, and the development of the core. Coming along in 1991, Cactus Ropes has also been one of the leaders in rope ..read more

What’s up, everybody? Today, we’re going to talk about something that sometimes gets overlooked when talking to beginner ropers, and that is breaking down the parts of your rope. It doesn’t matter if you’re team roping, roping calves or ranch roping. The general parts of your rope are the same. Yes, your rope is all one piece, but there are different sections, and knowing what those sections are can actually help you understand what the lingo is that some of the professional ropers are talking about. If you’re watching some educational platforms like roping.com, they talk a lot about your tip ..read more

When you’re just getting started team roping, choosing the right rope can seem like a bit of a challenge because there are so many different options available. Each color is not just a different colored rope. That is a rope unique to that manufacturer that has its own blend of materials, whether that be a straight nylon, a nylon poly blend, and the wax and dye involved in making the rope. This gives each rope an individual feel all its own. Then you get to pick how many strands you’d like in your rope; three, four, or five. From there, we need to choose a lay (stiffness) that you’re comfortabl ..read more

With the emergence of such a strong group of young tie-down and breakaway ropers in the PRCA, a roper purchasing their first set of tie-down and breakaway roping gear can’t help but be excited about their future in the sport. Even for a beginner, it is important to have the best ropes and equipment possible. How Do I Start Roping Calves? Ideally, you want to start by practicing on a ground dummy like a Nex, Tufkaf, Smarty Jr, or even a calf head in a bale of hay. Practicing on a ground dummy is a great way to develop a feel for your rope, perfect your swing, angles, and delivery, and learn t ..read more

Blessing Bits, exclusively found at NRS, were designed by horseman, Tommy Blessing, with input from some of the greatest performance horse trainers across multiple disciplines. Each mouthpiece, shank, and purchase combination fulfills a specific need to help you effectively communicate with your horse no matter what discipline you participate in. A common characteristic of the Blessing Bits is a slightly longer purchase tying into the shank. This gives the bit a balance point that allows it to sit comfortably in the horse’s mouth but gives the rider quicker contact and release, which is especi ..read more

For over 60 years, BioZyme has served the agricultural industry as an innovator in fermentation and animal health. Founded in 1951 by Larry Ehlert, a former feed salesman, expanded his business and began selling supplements in 1965 and by 1968 he purchased a patent and marketing rights to a direct-fed microbial produced from a fungus called Aspergillus Oryzae. Over 70 years later BioZyme uses the same strain of A.oryzae to develop new pre and post-biotics supplements and animal health products for a variety of animals including cattle, swine, poultry, sheep, goats, horses, and dogs.  Amon ..read more

What exactly is a hackamore anyway? A hackamore is considered a bit-less bridle. Hackamores apply pressure on the horse's poll, nose and chin instead of its mouth. Used properly, it should support the rider's seat and leg aids. The Origins of the Hackamore The history of hackamores dates back centuries and spans various cultures around the world. While it's challenging to pinpoint an exact origin, one of the earliest forms of bit-less bridles can be traced back to ancient civilizations such as the Greeks, Romans, and Persians. Different cultures developed their own variations of bitless brid ..read more

Who wouldn't want fresh eggs every morning? Raising baby chicks is an exciting and rewarding experience that can be accessible to everyone, whether you have a sprawling hobby farm or a cozy suburb backyard. In this simple guide, let's walk you through the basics of raising baby chicks, from setting up their brooder to providing them with the essentials they need to grow into healthy egg producers! Choosing the Right Chick Supplies Raising baby chicks requires a few essential supplies to ensure their health and well-being. Here are some must-have items : Heat Lamp - Chicks need a warm envi ..read more

When you’re just getting started team roping, choosing the right rope can seem like a bit of a challenge because there are so many different options available. Each color is not just a different colored rope. That is a rope unique to that manufacturer that has its own blend of materials, whether that be a straight nylon, a nylon poly blend, and the wax and dye involved in making the rope. This gives each rope an individual feel all its own. Then you get to pick how many strands you’d like in your rope; three, four, or five. From there, we need to choose a lay (stiffness) that you’re comfortabl ..read more

Written by NRS Influencer Barrett Houser Who wouldn't want to look stylish on a beautiful sunny day, riding a horse through the pasture, branding calves or spinning a few steers in the practice pen? This is the time BEX Sunglasses shine bright (pun intended). The American brand that so many of us choose to shield our eyes during those long days in the arena started back in 2009 when cowboy Jason Adams created what was needed on the rodeo circuit – comfortable and affordable performance eyewear. Since then, BEX has become the fastest-growing eyewear company. Let's be honest; looks matter. Even ..read more