“Ten Tips on Training Cowhorses”
About Aaron
– If you would like to know more about Aaron then listen to his previous chat
First Chat (418) Aaron Scobie
About This Episode
– “Ten Tips on Training Cowhorses”
To Listen to Aaron Scobie 2 on YouTube – Click Here
To Listen to Aaron Scobie 2 on iTunes – Click Here
Or Listen below
“Ten Tips on Training Cowhorses”
1. Go, Stop, Turn
– It doesn’t get much more complicated than that.
2. Broke is broke
– Cowhorses can’t be too broke – but they can be too reliant on our direction. I prefer to get them as broke as possible as it makes it so easy to show them the correct way to move while keeping things related to the cow.
3. Let them think
– Our cowhorses need to have the ability and confidence to think for themselves and this is probably one of the trickiest thing to manage while training for the reined work as well. Typically horses from a reining background need a lot of encouragement to initiate movement on a cow and maintain the focus on a cow even when we help them. Those from a cutting background need to learn to wait both on a cow and in the reined work and to be helped with our hands and feet without taking offence.
4. Stop means stop
– This is your emergency brake and is absolutely non-negotiable when working cattle. Any time I take hold of them with my hands they need to soften and come back to me. I spend a lot of time driving to the hip and stopping to help teach rate and reinforce that ability to guide.
5. The cow is the cue
– Let that cow initiate the turn as much as possible, especially on young horses. Once they are broke enough to get through that turn efficiently you can help them finish it, but let the cow start it. This helps the horse learn to read the cow and once we’re straight up in the bridle we’re really relying on that cow to pull the horse’s nose through that turn.
6. Read cattle
– You need to know what that cow is going to do almost before it does, and your horse needs to be able to read them just as well.
7. Be helpful
– Stay out of your horse’s way, ride athletically and let them work underneath you. Let the horse take you for the ride, don’t try and get there before horse of lead them to the right position. Stay quiet with your hands and legs, just because things are going faster doesn’t mean we need to ride faster and harder.
8. Remember what your job is
– Especially while training I see a lot of people get caught up in having to hold the cow. Instead focus on having the right position, moving efficiently and building confidence. We’re usually not working these cows in 1000 acre paddocks – if it gets away or you need to stop and correct your horse go ahead and do it, then just go back to your cow. Don’t sacrifice correctness while training.
9. Block your time
– Consistency helps the horses understand the different expectations of the events. With greener horses we will try to work in blocks of 3 days, for example, 3 days of reined work then 3 days working cattle. This allows the horse to build on the previous day and gives time to work through any issues without overdoing it in any one session.
10. Look for the good
– Remember horse training is a long term deal, get excited about that first time your horse initiates a turn on a cow, or when they try in a stop. It’s all those little parts that build together and make the finished horse. Don’t be in a hurry to get there.
Time Stamp
01:39 – 1. Go, Stop, Turn
02:25 – 2. Broke is broke
03:40 – 3. Let them think
04:32 – 4. Stop means stop
06:24 – 5. The cow is the cue
08:14 – 6. Read cattle
09:26 – 7. Be helpful
10:55 – 8. Remember what your job is:
12:40 – 9. Block your time
14:50 – 10. Look for the good
17:08 – Contact details see below
17:40 – Sponsors
Aaron’s Contact Details
Phone: 0435 687 440 or +61 435 687 440
Email:
Facebook: AK Scobie Performance Horses
Sponsors
Music
BenSound.com
When Aaron is a return guest on Horse Chats, what question would you like to ask him?
(Please leave comment below)