How to Train a Cow Horse

While many horses are used strictly as pleasure and trail riding mounts, others are called upon to do the same kind of work their ancestors did more than a century ago. There is still a need for horses on many working cattle ranches and feedlot operations, and those horses need to be able to work cows just like their forebears did. Cow horses are also in demand for rodeos, horse shows and exhibitions, where their riders demonstrate the skills of a bygone era. Whether your ultimate goal is to round up the cattle on your ranch or have fun at the weekend rodeo, you need to know how to train your cow horse properly.

Things You'll Need

  • Saddle
  • Bridle
  • Hay bale and plastic calf head
  • Cattle (if available)
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Instructions

    • 1

      Make sure your would-be cow horse has all of the fundamentals in place before you start specific cattle training. A good cow horse needs to neck rein easily and consistently, and it needs to be able to walk, jog, lope and gallop on a loose rein. The horse also needs to stop with a voice cue alone -- a firm "whoa" from the rider should stop this horse in its tracks. If your horse has not yet mastered these concepts, go back to the arena or round pen and work on those fundamentals.

    • 2

      Get the horse used to having a lasso swung in its vicinity, first on the ground and later when mounted. Most cattle work involves rope work, whether the rope is used to catch an errant calf or just encourage the stock to move into the chutes.

    • 3

      Swing the lasso around the horse, making sure the rope passes by its eyes. Horses often are startled by movement in the corner of their eye, and it is important to get the horse over these kinds of fears through consistent work. Praise the horse when it reacts calmly to the movement of the rope. One of the best ways to get the horse used to the rope while honing your own skills is to use a plastic calf head and a bale of hay. These fake calf heads are sold in many tack shops and online horse supply retailers.

    • 4

      Teach your horse to turn quickly and fluidly on the haunches by moving the horse down the rail in the arena, then using a half halt to stop forward movement. With a half halt the rider pulls slightly on the reins, then immediately releases the pressure and moves the horse forward. After the horse has mastered the half halt it can be combined with the cue to turn. The turning cue is the rider's outside leg coming up against the girth, coupled with a slight movement of the outside rein against the horse's neck.

    • 5

      Combine the half halt and the turn until the horse is consistently stopping and turning in one fluid motion. After mastering this movement at a walk, move on to the jog and finally the lope.

    • 6

      Introduce actual cattle into your training after the other necessary skills have been mastered. If you know someone who raises cattle, ask to borrow a calf or steer to get your horse used to the sight of cattle. If no cattle are available where you live, take your horse to rodeos, shows and other events where cattle are present.