To break in a new rope properly the first thing to do is take a few practice throws. You can use a fence post, roping dummy, or anything that has a little bit of stability and weight behind it. Doing this will help you decide what changes need to be made to the rope so you can achieve the feel you like.
You are going to need to add a bit of flexibility to your rope as well. Stretch your rope by attaching one end of the top to a post and dally the other end on the saddle horn. Stretch the rope by backing your horse until the rope is tight, hold for a few min, and then check to see if the rope has reached the flexibility you’re wanting. Repeat this until the rope has the flexibility and feels right for you.
If your rope feels sticky and is not sliding smoothly, cover the rope with baby powder, rubbing the powder in between the nylon braids and creases. This will keep your rope slick and will improve how quickly the rope moves.
Now your rope is perfect for you, so let’s keep it that way! Use your rope as often as possible, preferably every day. At the end of each practice session wipe your rope down, remove any mud and dirt, re-powder your rope, and shake off any excess, coil and place it in the bag designed to store your rope.