Once the mounted cowboys have roped the heifer, the ground team must finish securing the ropes. Normally, one rope is taken off and retied at a time, keeping the heifer secured. In the rush against the clock, the cowboys here have taken the ropes off both the front and hind legs at same time, leaving an instant where the heifer isn't secured. The header cowboy pushes the cow's head up and holds her nose while the heeler secures the hind legs. Had the heifer broken free, the entire roping process would have had to be done all over again.