How to Train a Horse to Track Cattle

Training a horse to work with cattle is often a long process depending on the horse's temperament. It can also be a fun and rewarding activity for both the horse and its rider. The process of training a horse to track cattle will help build a horse's confidence, improve conditioning and teach the horse to control speed. As such, it's a useful skill whether your horse is being trained for competition or for working a professional cattle ranch.

Things You'll Need

  • Horse
  • Cow
  • Arena
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Instructions

    • 1

      Warm up your horse with trotting and cantering exercises. This will put the horse in the appropriate frame of mind for working with a cow. This is particularly helpful if the horse is a bit temperamental.

    • 2

      Introduce your horse to a single cow. Place a cow in a confined, fenced-in space or arena. Although the idea is to get the horse to follow the cow and mimic the cow's speed and movement, don't be concerned about "driving" the cow at this juncture. Guide your horse only as much as necessary. Keeping a loose rein, allow your horse to discover the cow and become interested in the cow's movements.

    • 3

      Follow the cow. Once your horse becomes comfortable in the cow's presence, he will begin to develop a "horse sense" and begin to follow the cow.

    • 4

      Track the cow's movements. Eventually, your horse should be able to change direction and speed to match the cow's direction and movements and speed. At this point, you'll want to use the reins more to guide the horse's speed and movement. Don't let the horse outpace the cow.

    • 5

      Add multiple cows to the exercise to get the horse used to tracking a herd.