Abstract: A releasable honda for a lariat comprises: a heel which includes a proximal end, a distal end, and a throat having a longitudinal axis and extending along such axis between the proximal end and distal end, wherein the throat has at least a portion thereof adjacent to the proximal end that peripherally varies in radius so as to have at least three equiangularly spaced maximum radii and a corresponding number of equiangularly spaced minimum radii between the maximum radii, such maximum and minimum radii being substantially constant along the length of the throat portion; and a pair of resilient arms having respective distal ends and extending from the proximal end of the heel on opposite sides of the longitudinal axis to such distal ends, which are closely adjacent to or contacting one another so that the arms form an eye. A lariat incorporating the releasable honda includes a rope having a knotted end seated in the throat portion and extending through the throat and then through the eye so as to form a loop.