What man hasn’t imagined what it would be like to be a cowboy on the open range?
And when you think about being a cowboy, you probably imagine yourself swinging a lasso above your head to round up wayward dogies
The lasso, or lariat, that we know today originated with Mexican vaqueros back in the 18th and 19th centuries. In the fluid social world of the American West, American cowboys picked up the lasso from their Mexican counterparts to aid them in their own cow punching.
North America isn’t the only place where the lasso has been used. Ancient Egyptians and Mongolians used lassos to herd animals, and ancient Persian warriors employed them in battle.
Yes, the lasso is indeed a manly implement. And today we’re going to show you how to tie one.
At the heart of every lasso is the honda knot. It’s a knot that creates a small, secure loop through which you pass the rope in order to create a large loop that can be tightened and loosened easily.
The rope you use for lassos needs to be a bit stiff so that the loop maintains its shape when you throw it. Traditionally, lassos were made with stiff rawhide or manila rope (check out our article on rope material!). Today, cowboys use nylon or polyester ropes which offer great durability.
Follow our illustrated guide and soon you’ll be ready to hit the Lonesome Dove trail with Gus and Woodrow.
