"Practice Steer" Hops Like The Real Thing

"Practice Steer" Hops Like The Real Thing 33-1-9 "Our mechanical steer is the only one on the market with a patented life-like hopping action," says Dru Stewart, sales manager for Heel-O-Matic Training Systems, about its battery-operated, ground-driven steers for rodeo ropers. The durable plastic steer mounts on a steel frame and can be pulled behind a riding lawn mower, ATV, vehicle or even a horse. "It gives the roper a big range," Stewart explains. "It's belt-driven and like a 10-speed bike with three speeds." When moving on the biggest pulley the hops are faster; on the small pulley the hops are slower. Combined with being pulled at various speeds, both headers and heelers can practice all roping scenarios at speeds up to 30 mph. Customers include everyone from beginners to professionals, Stewart says. "It's the only machine that is completely lifelike, patterned after the Corriente steers used in team roping competition," he adds. "Customers use a lot of these machines on colts and young horses. They start with big, slow circles and progress to life-like team roping runs. "We bring this on the road with us to rodeos and ropings," says Lynn Cordova, owner of Steer Gear, a mobile tack vendor with an internet store. She travels with her husband, JR, a roper, who practices with the Heel-O-Matic, and lets other competitors try it, too. "It's a practicing tool that helps everybody get focused for the event," Lynn says. Several professionals endorse the Heel-O-Matic. The ground-driven model costs $2,795. The battery-operated unit costs $3,115. Heel-O-Matic also sells other rope and horse training equipment. Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Heel-O-Matic Systems, 7800 Miller Dr., Unit B, Longmont, Colorado 80504 (ph 888-433-5464; info@heelomatic.com; www.heelomatic.com) or Steer Gear, 205 Monarch Dr., Carson City, Nevada 89704 (ph 888 644-9333; www.steergear.net).

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