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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Ten Tips to Improve Your Cuts

“Cuts make runs. It’s a domino effect.”

These are the words of Russell McCord, Director of Judges at the National Cutting Horse Association.

Russell’s insights had laser-like clarity about how a judge views runs during a three-day showing clinic. Front views, as well as an elevated, rear video angle provided lots of situations to explain key points.

Much time was spent discussing herdwork because of the potent positive or negative consequences cuts have on a score.

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I’m Not Talking About Quitting Our Sport!
I’m Talking About Quitting a Cow!

A big challenge for many cutters is understanding the “whys” of an instruction.

We cutters have a love-hate relationship with the fact that our sport requires moment-t0- moment decisions.

It’s the nature of our sport. There are no pre-set patterns or courses. We have to make decisions on the spot. We hold the reins. 

This makes our sport exciting … and sometimes frustrating.

One of these crucial decisions during competition is when to quit a cow and go for another. Click here to read on…

Understand This and Improve Your Horsemanship
And, You Can Practice This Without Cattle

A big challenge for many cutters is understanding the “whys” of an instruction.

This article provides an outline regarding how the parts of your body (and their movements) affect your horse.

Beyond becoming more knowledgeable about horsemanship in general, my hope is that this information will give you “reasons” for the nuances in your riding. Perhaps, as your mentors make suggestions, you will think, “Ahhh, now that makes sense!”

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Make This One Little Change and You Just Might Sit Quietly In the Turn

I have a story to tell you about learning to sit still on your cutting horse.

I came across a very powerful new way to help you sit quiet in the turn … and not lean … and not twitch your body … and gain better timing with your feet.

The tips I’m about to share are novel … at least to me. They evolved because of my own need to be more quiet in the saddle.

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