Ranch Horse has two facets: pattern classes a sort of dressage test for the individual horse and cow work which has levels of skill required for horse and rider –
Bob did compete last weekend in six pattern classes, successfully completing 4 of them (um, I forgot the pattern in one and Bob forgot a lead change in another, ok that was me too, I forgot to ask).
Now was the time to add cow work. Bob went to cow camp for three days with a trainer last fall to make sure he was comfortable with the cows --some horses are aggressive --biting cows --kicking at them and some are panic stricken at the sight. Bob was good with cows (with Two Eyed Jack and Handcock in his immediate antecedents, so he should be). Next he and I went together to the local cow man who rents his herd to individuals like me by the hour. He also offers free advice with the herd rental, but tells the aspiring cowboy or girl that he does not show, only provides cows for those who do. But that was the week before Thanksgiving and we hadn’t been back since due to weather --all cow work is outside.
After a quick fix on a flat tire ( FYI new tires in April, but I put a ton of milage on my trailer to the trainer and back --and FYI I check my tire pressure every time before I load the horse) Bob and I with DH along for the ride as my two horse friends couldn’t make it : one has a sick horse and the other’s horse won’t load.
I warmed up Bob who has been an absolute dream ever since the horse show (and a previous 30 days at his trainers while I was travelling). The the cowman, at my request, rode Bob into the herd of calves first. Bob was fine. Cowman noted that Bob was really relaxed and much softer than when he rode him previously.
Next my turn --and for the next 90 min --HEAVEN as Bob and I again and again, quietly separated one calf from the group, moved it to the end of the pen, then kept it there over and over again. We practiced moving the calf around the pen, stopping it, and turning it. Bob really seemed to get into the game.
Next we practiced moving the herd as a group, then singling out one calf to separate --a bit more difficult, especially since almost all of the calves were black and Bob and I had to figure out which was our calf.
Fun practice and Bob and I plan to head back next week. This was an individual lesson, next time will be with a group of 5 riders --I’ll try it --but in the past, I seem to learn more one-on-one. It is much cheaper thought to pay for 1/5 of the herd time instead of the whole amount.
Oh–I’m told the ears back is a good sign that Bob is trying to intimidate the cows.
Bob pix
