This video is one more in my “finding your seat” series of video for working a cow. I talk about why it is so important for you to be grounded in your center of balance as you put your hand down after making the cut and before working a cow.
VIDEO TRANSCRIPT:
This video is one more in my “finding your seat” series of video for working a cow. I talk about why it is so important for you to be grounded in your center of balance as you put your hand down after making the cut and before working a cow.
So here is our goal … to be grounded in your core before you begin working a cow.
This is one of those areas that can be overlooked by coaches because there’s a lot going on in those final moments between making the final moves on the cut and transitioning to putting your hand down and working the cow.
But being down in the saddle as you put your hand down is a must, and here’s why.
During the cut, if you begin working a cow with your center of balance up, as well as your energy extended forward (from the excitement of making the cut), you may have a difficult time getting yourself and your horse back in your core … and grounded again in your center of balance.
On the flip side, if you are in your core as you put your hand down and begin working a cow, both you and your horse will be anchored from the beginning in your center of balance.
Depending on what the cow does, your horse will begin to pivot to turn or move forward on the line from his hindquarters. You too will be balanced.
And because our abdomen is also the physical seat of our emotions, you will feel calm, centered and in the moment to begin working a cow. You won’t be overly excited.
Here are the steps:
1. As you drive your cow forward on the cut, remind yourself to stay in your core.
2. As you put your hand down, drop dramatically down in your saddle.
3. Breathe.
4. Tell yourself to stay still and deep as you wait for the cow to make its next move.
This is truly a simple routine. But don’t let the simplicity of it fool you. If you are not down and anchored as you begin working a cow, both you and your horse will be out of kilter until you can get down as you work the cow. That is a big challenge on a fast cow. It is much easier to begin working a cow from that secure, deep position in the saddle.