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History Accomplishments Cuttin' Tips Training Ranch

Cuttin' Tips

Preparation For exercise, lope 20 minutes and walk/trot for 1 to 2 hours. Practice rock backs more than excessive backing. Practice working cows in a straight line, even in a round pen. Follow the same exercise schedule at a show.

Rider(s) To release back tension, open your index finger off the horn. To get a good back position, practice cutting with your reins held high to ensure your balance point is in the back and correct position. Be aware of everything around you. Be slow in your mind, but quick in the horse. Be aggressive from the waist down, slow from the waist up. Show confidence and think there is nothing you can't handle. Don't panic; always project control. Be mentally prepared for all situations. Try to visualize the action in slow motion or a series of still frames. Try to visually anticipate events before they occur. Complete your moves. When things get out of control, go back to basics. Be careful when you spur, it can cause your horse to hop. Try rolling your spur up your horses side rather than sticking your spur into the horse's side. Focus on what your horse does right to optimize a work. Be decisive. It's your job to minimize mistakes, because you are in control. Tell your herd holders you plan so they don't clear cattle you want to cut. Spot an arena marker to help you locate the work start point.

Your Horse Let your horse be physical; teach it to be smart. Build on what your horse does best. Make sure your horse is leading with the cow side leg. Be really soft on a quick horse and make subtle moves. Always let your horse know you are in charge with your legs and feet.

Cattle Be familiar with cattle breeds, their disposition for cutting, and terms. Heifers are best for training because they usually have more endurance. When cutting exotics, cut steers. Practice working cows on foot.

Herd work Use herd help who know the strong and weak points of you and your horse. Don't be obvious showing which cow you might cut. Avoid cutting a cow that lowers its head and peaks under other cows. Independent cows are often easier to work. Think of approaching a herd like moving into a flexible bubble. Always be aware of the herd and get a "feel" for its actions. When making a cut, traverse while applying forward pressure on the cow. Step toward a cow to: move it away from your horse, challenge it, and identify the best cows in the herd.

Working a cow Work out further from a new group of cows. Start your work after the traffic (other cows) clears. Drop your hand slowly when you start to work a cow. Increase intensity on a cow by backing off and then going forward. Get in position, before you put your hand down. Finish all your moves. One big move it better than several little ones. Keep the herd-side foot slightly ahead of the cow-side foot. Be aware of your feet during a run. Work a cow in a "V" position rather than parallel to it. Work a cow in a straight line. Drive to the head of a cow to turn it. Drive to the tail of a cow to push it; drive to the center of a cow to create motion. Stop the cow when it indicates a change in direction. Always be prepared for the stop. Sit down at the end of a run (when the cow releases pressure) in preparation for the stop. Be patient on the stop, move through the turn. When finishing working a cow, turn toward the middle of the pen, or the hip of the cow. When your run is finished, continue to look confident and positive regardless of the outcome. Working too far from the herd decreases pressure on the cow and thus may decrease its motivation to return to the herd and to perform.

Copyright © 2002 Bill Freeman. All rights reserved.

Web page last modified: 11/23/03. Web site designed by Wanda Smith.