| Do you want tips for horse and cattle events? | | | | actually involved are shifting of weight, hand aids, |
| There are basically three things to consider for | | | | verbal and of course, leg cues. Horses are also |
| one to be successful in cattle events and those | | | | trained to have tremendous focus on the task. |
| are: | | | | They must be able to read and control cattle. |
| - the physical and mental condition of the horse | | | | You'll notice in an experienced team, that the |
| - the human's understanding of the stock | | | | horse enjoys the task as much as the rider, if |
| - the relationship or connection of the rider and | | | | not more. |
| the horse | | | | A thorough understanding of cattle should be |
| Horse and Cattle events include cutting, team | | | | possessed in order to be successful at any event |
| penning, and working cow horse. These are | | | | involving the animal. The natural behavior of cattle |
| enjoyable events or competitions, and they | | | | should be studied for full effectiveness. |
| enable you to see how functional and amazing | | | | These are some bits of information about cattle: |
| horses really are. These events are considered to | | | | Both horses and cattle cannot see behind their |
| be advanced horsemanship. The horsemen that | | | | bodies because of the way their eyes are |
| compete in these events are experienced and | | | | positioned as prey animals. They also cannot see |
| many of them are experts in their field. | | | | directly in front of them. This is called their "blind |
| Horses used in these types of events are | | | | zone". They often rely on their peripheral vision |
| extremely athletic and very willing to work with | | | | and other means of communication, such as |
| cattle. This type of horse can be referred to as | | | | ground vibration, sound and the energy of the |
| "cowey". Some people would only choose horses | | | | animals around them. These are very important |
| with the bloodline and aptitude to these kinds of | | | | bits of information to consider because you can |
| events. Horses in these cattle events are | | | | effectively gauge their reactions based on this |
| considered athletes. They must possess strength | | | | understanding. |
| and agility in order to work cattle efficiently. Many | | | | As a rider, you must also be aware of "fight or |
| a man hour goes into the correct training for both | | | | flight". This the animal's personal space and |
| horse and rider. Horse and cattle both learn the | | | | reaction to serious stimuli. It will vary based on |
| rules of the game quickly. | | | | the horse and cattle's level of experience and |
| The horses are expected to make explosive | | | | tameness. Animals on the wilder side have larger |
| movements, such as quick turns. They also need | | | | flight zones. They can go as much as fifty |
| to have that so-called "cow sense" which is what | | | | meters while tamer cattle are about two to eight |
| people in the industry call the main instinct needed | | | | meters. It is possible to have a livestock with no |
| by the horse to work cattle. Therefore, training | | | | response to stimuli. This is called desensitizing. |
| does not only involve the physical conditioning but | | | | With this knowledge, you, as the rider, must be |
| the mental development of the horse to further | | | | able to train your horse properly. Your horse's |
| develop its "cow sense". The events are interplay | | | | "cow sense" is intertwined with your knowledge |
| of physical prowess, instinct, and control. | | | | (and instinct as well). However, you can train your |
| Horse suppleness and flexibility are very important | | | | horse and cattle to adapt to all types of |
| in these events. The owner/rider should work on | | | | experience and stimulus. This is why cattle events |
| it relentlessly to insure the success of both rider | | | | can be so enjoyable, because you get to see the |
| and animal. The knowledge base of the rider must | | | | complex and extensive use of horses as working |
| be topnotch as the horses are required to follow | | | | animals. |
| cues that are not perceivable by the untrained | | | | You also get to see the importance of |
| eye. Basically, riders aim to make their horses | | | | rider-to-horse communication, athleticism, instinct, |
| move easily with light aids. Some of the aids are | | | | intelligence etc. |