I am super excited that I have found a place where I can get an intro to team sorting. I have been watching a couple of Youtube videos, but would love to hear any tips from others that participate in this sport before my first time!
I did this with my 4 year old dressage horse this year - it was a blast, and everyone had a great time teaching “the new kid” and her fancy horse :D. It was pretty hysterical. He was at least a full hand taller than every other horse there, and done up with dressage saddle, english bridle, tall boots, breeches and helmet.
First - take your time letting your horse get comfortable around the cows if she isn’t already familiar with being around them. We spent 30-45 minutes working in the area near the cows and letting my horse watch the cows and the other horses working them before even attempting to get near them.
When he reached a point where he was standing quietly, but actively watching the cows with interest rather than fear, we entered one pen with two other horses to start. One (friend’s horse and a sorting veteran) guarded the gate to the other cow pen and allowed just one cow in at first. A guy who had started many cow horses, and was on a seasoned horse started to follow the single cow around at a walk, and we followed him. After about half way around the pen, my horse recognized that the cow moved away from the horses and got more interested. On his own he moved around the seasoned horse and closer to the cow. We did a few laps like that, with my horse pushing the cow around the pen at the walk, then added another cow, then another, and another. Then we worked on separating one from the group. We kept it slow and easy - just a little bit of trotting and mostly at the walk.
It was a great time. Afterward it was clear that my horse and I had found a new level in our relationship. I trusted he wouldn’t lose his marbles completely even when scared to pieces and he trusted I wouldn’t push him past his limit.
2 Likes
I’m lucky that I board at a barn that has cows and holds regular roping events. We’ve gotten to help move the cattle around. As soon as she learned they move away from her she was in heaven chasing them. I’ve wanted to do this for a long time, but just this year got the access to the cows to see what she would think of them. I’m super excited to give this a try!
Have fun!
Find a couple of partners and work with them. Here you pay to go and ask two more to help you. If you don’t have partners usually you only get the one go, with two partners you get three, which is enough. It is a blast!
It’s a lot of fun. Have done it on my OTTB in English tack. She likes to chase cows.
I actually have been considering doing it in my dressage saddle. My western saddle is a slick seat, and I just feel more secure in my deep seated, buffalo leather dressage saddle. But since I have western tack, I should probably do it in western tack.
Well, sometimes you get some sudden moves from a horse that’s on a cow. Doesn’t have to be dramatic to unseat you a bit and that western saddle lets you get back to a safe seat with your butt firmly anchored against quick direction changes. It has a handle too…
