Even if you don’t compete in events like cutting or working cow horse, or have a horse that was bred to do cow work, including cattle work into your riding routine can be a great training tool for you to have. While exposure to cattle is always necessary if you plan on showing in an event that uses cattle, outside of the show ring, working your horse around cattle can help him become well-rounded and ready to tackle anything that comes his way when you’re trail riding.
However, before you head off to work a cow, here’s some advice that’ll make the experience most beneficial for you and your horse.
Why Cattle Work is Helpful
Riding your horse around cattle is a great way to evaluate how he reacts when you up the degree of difficulty during training. It also helps you know which maneuvers you need to work on the next time you ride. For example, in a class like reining a horse has to be able to go from a large, fast circle to a small, slow circle. Working a cow helps you evaluate how well your horse rates his speed in a scenario where you have to go from one speed to another within one stride. If your horse doesn’t slow when you ask for the initial cue, you can spend more time at home reinforcing your shut-down cue. Another thing to test is how responsive your horse is to leg and hand cues.
It can also help freshen up a dull horse. At any point in the arena, your horse has to be ready to go and needs to have a purpose behind what he’s doing— he can’t just lope around the arena and hope he’ll keep up with a cow.
This story is from the Fall 2020 edition of Horse and Rider.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the Fall 2020 edition of Horse and Rider.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
The Horse
LIFE TAKES US DOWN different paths, but I seem to be on just one, which is with the horse.
Decoding the Diseases Examined by AQHA's Six-Panel Test
The six-panel test is a diagnostic tool used to assess the genetic predispositions of horses. It's meant to discover if a horse has or is a carrier for certain hereditary diseases and traits.
Love is Good
All horses are assured a hopeful, compassionate plan of care at This Old Horse, a program that helps not only horses but people, too.
HORSE PACKING 101
Take your trail riding to the next level with nature-filled adventures in the back or front country.
NEW HORSE; NEW PROBLEMS
Anew horse can bring excitement and energy to the barn, and even reinvigorate your passion. However, there are also a myriad of new problems that can come with a new horse, so learn how to introduce him properly to avoid these common issues.
First-Timer Tips
Heading to a young rider's first event with their horse can be intimidating. Use these myths and truths to make it smoother sailing for yourself and your young rider.
Re-Rescued: Aslan's Story
One special gelding learns about three different types of love during his rescue journey.
The Country's Hottest Horse Motels
Take your next trail-riding adventure to the next level by staying at one of these six horse motels across the United States.
Outbreak! What We've Learned
Learn how disease outbreaks in recent years have changed the horse industry, and why it's so important to play your part when it comes to disease prevention efforts.
TRAINING THE SENSITIVE HORSE
Shift your mindset and grow your sensitive horse's pressure-handling skills to improve his confidence and your riding enjoyment.
