Heading and heeling horses have to have the right combination of conformation, build, personality, training and experience to succeed in team roping events. It's a tricky balance between soundness, athleticism and attitude that make for the best heading horses. You don't want a horse that's too muscular and thick and at the same time you need that quick burst of speed and ability to turn and stop quickly. The American Quarter Horse is generally the breed used for team roping events because of its speed and build.