Absent a heeler, it is very difficult for one person to restrain a grown steer once down.
The "heelers" or driving dogs keep pushing the animals forward.
As soon as the heeler also dallies tight, the header turns his or her horse to directly face the steer and heeler.
The heeler waits until the header has turned the steer.
In many urban areas, ward heelers also serve as precinct captains.
At higher levels, the header and the heeler are allowed only one throw each, if either misses, the team gets no score.
When he or she has a clear throw, the heeler throws a loop of rope under the running steer's hind legs and catches them.
At lower levels, a team may take longer, particularly if the heeler misses the first throw and has to try again.
