Just because a horse does not tuck his nose when the reins are lifted, does not mean he is braced. IMO
The tucked in head we see today is a modern invention, and not necessarily a good one.
In general, I would agree that in the reined work in the show pen in reined cowhorse, things are a lot smoother. But the reined cowhorse is not a reining horse. He is a reined stock horse, and there
is a huge difference.
But some things have been lost. One of the reason you don’t see spades in competition much, is because the training techniques do not lend them selves to using a spade. The thing I like about the older system of hackamore to two rein, etc, is that the horse learns the carriage and the moves and most everything he needs to know in the hackamore. He is graduated via the two rein to pack a spade. By the time he is straight up, one hand only is used, never two, and you just don’t use the spade as a leverage bit.
Working cowhorses (sr. ) here are shown in spades
In fact, a well known Albertan working cowhorse trainer , gave a very good clinic for cowhorse people, explaining traditional bits used in that event-Spades, Mona Lisas and Half breeds
I realize working cowhorses are not reiners, as my son shows in those events, as did I many years ago
My point is, that at one time, the dry work in working cowhorse was rather rough, compared to a reiner , but now at upper end, many cowhorses run that dry pattern almost as smooth as a reiner runs a reining pattern, although they do get into the ground deeper
All events are getting tougher and more specialized, and most of those champions from by gone years could not touch a reiner or working cowhorse at upper end today
Ranch cutting differs greatly from what is seen in the show pen, and it has to be remembered that the show pen does not always reflect working practicality, but rather degree of difficulty and level of training, so to compare ranch work to what is seen in the show pen at times, is like comparing apples to oranges
It is also why ranch horse competitions are getting very popular, for those that want to blend their every day ranch work with show pen events
I don’t know how many times I have heard that one could not get anyway in good time, riding a western pl horses, based on what they see in the show pen
Well, I and many trail ride my western pl horses and they can keep up with the best of them, as outside of the pleasure pen, I let my pleasure horses move out
They know the difference.
Working cowhorses (sr. ) here are shown in spades
In fact, a well known Albertan working cowhorse trainer , gave a very good clinic for cowhorse people, explaining traditional bits used in that event-Spades, Mona Lisas and Half breeds
I realize working cowhorses are not reiners, as my son shows in those events, as did I many years ago
My point is, that at one time, the dry work in working cowhorse was rather rough, compared to a reiner , but now at upper end, many cowhorses run that dry pattern almost as smooth as a reiner runs a reining pattern, although they do get into the ground deeper
All events are getting tougher and more specialized, and most of those champions from by gone years could not touch a reiner or working cowhorse at upper end today
Ranch cutting differs greatly from what is seen in the show pen, and it has to be remembered that the show pen does not always reflect working practicality, but rather degree of difficulty and level of training, so to compare ranch work to what is seen in the show pen at times, is like comparing apples to oranges
It is also why ranch horse competitions are getting very popular, for those that want to blend their every day ranch work with show pen events
I don’t know how many times I have heard that one could not get anyway in good time, riding a western pl horses, based on what they see in the show pen
Well, I and many trail ride my western pl horses and they can keep up with the best of them, as outside of the pleasure pen, I let my pleasure horses move out
They know the difference.
[QUOTE=KIloBright;7824520]
Working cowhorses (sr. ) here are shown in spades[/QUOTE]
They are, and often look very good. Show spades are quite limited in their construction, however. Spoon height, in particular, is limited in most events to 3.5". Ironically, this makes them potentially far harsher than taller spades.
Cowhorse events may not have the height limitation, but most others do (reining etc).
[QUOTE=aktill;7824747]
They are, and often look very good. Show spades are quite limited in their construction, however. Spoon height, in particular, is limited in most events to 3.5". Ironically, this makes them potentially far harsher than taller spades.[/QUOTE]
That is true.
Unintended consequences at work there.
