Just curious, does anyone know what may differentiate making a horse a header vs a heeler? I am going to look at a 3 year old that was started as a possible heeler. I am looking for a versatility type horse and she has versatility breeding on her sire’s side.
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A lot of things. You want size, bone, power, run, etc for a head horse. A lot more horses wind up on the heel side vs the head side, because your head horse needs to be stronger and fast to get out there and then drag steers. Not saying smaller horses can’t, but in the world of team roping - it’s usually what they look for.
The heel horses need to be fast as well but need to be able to rate and stop differently than the head horses. It’s why a lot of cowhorse and cutter rejects started making their way to the roping, and now with the rope horse futurities and money it’s become a beast of it’s own.
You can have switch enders, but they are still usually better on one side to another. Our trainer could head on our horse, but he was much better and much more desirable as a heel horse. Though we like him much much better as a reined cowhorse and enjoy not having to go to rope horse futurities anymore. 
Are you looking for ranch versatility or just general versatility?
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Ranch versatility. Thank you for the explanation. The filly looks a little smaller so that may be why they are thinking heel side. She seems quiet but I won’t know until I get there so the speed aspect also may be why they are thinking of selling. I am all for quiet without too much go. I am okay with boxing cows but have no desire to go down the fence.
A lot of trainers will start one on the heel side, just to start it on the heel side. We sent our other gelding down with our futurity horse to the same trainer, just to get ridden for 90 days, and he started him on the heel side just for the exposure. It didn’t really change the way he moved or anything about him too much, other than if we ever decide to sell him, I can say he was “started on the heel side” at one time. And I guess I can technically throw a rope off him, if I ever wanted to.
I think the exposure is good for them either way, IMHO. Its something you could develop overtime if you wanted or needed to. If you’re going to do ranch trail, you’ll probably have to spin a rope around them, so you can check a learning box for the horse off there.
I can’t wait for an update if you go try her out! Also, I’m totally with you about going down the fence. I will be in the NP Boxing until I die.
