Tie-down roping, a skill that originated on the working ranch, involves a mounted cowboy roping and tying a calf for time. The calf starts in a chute, while the cowboy and his horse start further back in the “box.” The calf is given a head start out of the chute before the horse and rider are allowed to follow. If the cowboy’s horse leaves the box too soon, a 10-second penalty is added to the roper’s time. Once the calf has been roped, the cowboy dismounts and runs down the rope to the calf. He then flanks the calf and ties three of its legs together with a rope called a pigging string. When he throws his hands in the air, the judge punches the clock and gives the official time.