It is soooo easy to come out of a cutting run and feel like you’ve just been to Mars and back. Sometimes it seems like you’re a speeding bullet on fast forward.

After a chaotic run, your internal conversation might go something like this, “I have no idea which cattle I cut? Hot quit? On which cow? Oh, yeah … did I really?”

You can start to feel grounded and in control during all parts of your run.The key is to break it down into segments.

Beyond the technical aspects of how to execute each segment, a definite feel exists, that is distinctly different from any other segment.

Understanding how to shift gears mentally, emotionally and technically between the distinct parts of a run is not only effective, but it’s what the cutting game is all about.

Here’s how it works.

Prior to each segment, there is an introductory transition time.

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As you’re making your cut, have you ever heard, “Stop sword fighting”?!?

This refers to waving your hand as you make the cut. This happens when the cutter is anxious, indecisive, or tries to guide the horse with the reins only.

Have you heard, “Use your feet; use your feet!” as you make the cut?

Perhaps, you tried to use your feet, but the results were random, at best because you didn’t understand exactly how to use them.

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How to Receive Clear, Helpful Information in the Show Pen

It is truly an extraordinary thing that cutters help fellow competitors win in the show pen.

Sometimes as a non-pro, you may find it tough to develop an easy-flowing, truly helpful communication that works FOR YOU with your helpers.

A common problem is that two herdholders sometimes inadvertently say two very different things at the same time.

Or, one or more helpers may chatter so much that you can’t think. Or, a helper may use a loud voice, and your body freezes.

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Understanding Everyone’s Roles

One of the things I love about cutting is how much we help each other’s help in the show pen.

But, with the opportunity to help each other comes challenges.

Sometimes as a non-pro, you may find it tough to develop an easy-flowing, helpful communication with your helpers.

Here are three examples of things you may have experienced. Two herdholders say two very different things at the same time. Or, one or more helpers chatter so much that you can’t think. Or, a helper uses a loud voice, and your body freezes.

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This is Part II of a two part article about cutting horse herdwork best practices.

In Part I, I talked about how you can help yourself make a clean, pretty, flowing cut when you cut a cow that’s near the end of … and on the outside of cattle as they roll around you.

When the cow you cut is chosen randomly, it’s called “shape”. When you arrange for a pre-determined cow to be in a good spot to make a credit earning cut in the middle of the arena, there’s no special name for it. You are simply cutting a specific cow.

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Three Steps to Cut a Cow on the Outside of the Flow

This is Part I of a two-part article about cutting horse herdwork best practices.

You can help yourself make a clean, pretty, flowing cut when you cut a cow that’s near the end of … and on the outside of … the cattle flow as they roll around you.

When you do this in a “random” fashion, you step into the herd, and clearly see what rolls around you. The cut seems to set-up on its own. That’s called “shape”.

When you desire to cut a specific cow, a common, effective approach is to drive a predetermined cow to the outside of the flow. From here you shape the cow you want so she ends up in the middle of the arena.

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Make It Fun!

Being able to identify cattle is a major part of being a cutting horse competitor. This is true whether you’re just beginning, or you are a seasoned competitor.

If you typically cut shape, you still need to recognize colors, and some of the basics of the cutting arena vernacular … like “baldy,” “mott,” and “redneck”. This is important so you can follow the guidance of your helpers when you show.

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Six Tips to Help You Pick the Right Cow for Cutting

Recently I received an email with an interesting question, “When a horse is cutting out another animal, what is it reading?”

I’m not sure what a horse is reading. (Much is instinct for a cow bred horse … just like a bird dog being on point is natural for that kind of dog.) But, I suspect what a horse intuits is similar to the signs that help people “read” a cow.

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Last month I wrote about how to use your seat when you ride your cutting horse.I received some questions asking me to clarify a part of the article.

Now, I know some people are not so inclined to think about all this “analytical stuff”.If you fall into that category, stay with me here, because I know it will appeal to your feel side, too.(-:)

The reason relating to the mechanics of your seat is important is because when you understand what your horse is doing and why, and you understand what you are supposed to do, and why, it will help your put it all together … and feel it.

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Six Tips to Keep You In the Right Spot

When you’re learning to cut, it’s easy to confuse which seat position you should have … and when.

I’ve seen riders who think they are supposed to be “sitting” all the time.

Of course, this is not true and would be extremely uncomfortable! Not to mention it wouldn’t work.

So, here’s six ideas to sort out the what, when and where of using your seat:

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