Tips to Stay Connected to Your Horse and the Cow at the Same Time

It’s easy to get so wrapped up in all the technical things we need to do moment by moment that we lose a strong connection to the cow.

Maybe you’ve found yourself working the cow in the vicinity of the cow, but not really feeling strongly ON the cow.

Perhaps when things get going fast that invisible bond between you, your horse and the cow gets even blurrier.

Click here to read on…

You’ve heard, “Watch the cow,” sooo many times.

It IS important for a number of reasons.

The cow is what’s happening at any given moment in cutting. It’s like the tennis ball in tennis.

There is one big difference between the cow and a tennis ball.

In tennis, if you take your eye off the ball, you won’t even be in the game! In cutting, if you take your eye off the cow, your horse might cover for you.

Click here to read on…

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.

Click here to read on…

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.

Click here to read on…

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.

Click here to read on…

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.

Click here to read on…

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:

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!”

Click here to read on…

Misuse of Your Herd Side Leg

As you continue to advance your cutting horse skills, one of your biggest challenges could be learning how to use your feet accurately.

Your feet are instrumental in communicating lots of messages to your horse including acceleration, direction on the line, movement of one of the horse’s body parts (like a hip), softening a body part (like a stiff rib cage), or asking a horse to look at a cow … just to name a few.

And to add to your challenge, the correct way to use your feet on any given horse depends on how that horse was trained … which might be extra confusing.

Click here to read on…