Instructions
Turn the horse out in a ring or indoor arena with a few cattle if you have access to cows. Not every horse owner will have access to a herd of cows; if you do, simply turning the horse out and watching his reaction is a great way to gauge his natural talent. A horse with cutting-horse breeding will often begin working the cattle on his own, without any interaction from the rider.
Work your horse on circles, serpentines and other patterns to strengthen the muscles in his hindquarters. Cutting horses need to have very strong hindquarters, since they need to be able to turn on their haunches to match every movement of the chosen steer.
Ride with a partner around the arena. Mirror the movements of your riding partner with your own horse, turning when he turns and changing direction often. This will get the horse used to tracking movements and keep his mind engaged.
Continue riding with different partners, with each of those partners playing the role of the "cow." If you have access to real cattle, begin to introduce them as well. Work in a small area at first to maximize the effectiveness of your training. If you work in too large an area you could find yourself spending too much of the training session chasing the steer around the arena.
How to Train a Horse to Cut
Cutting is a popular equine sport; it is always a crowd favorite, even for those who know nothing about horses. In the past, horses were essential for working cattle, and cutting hearkens back to those earlier times. Even though fewer horses actually make their living on working cattle ranches, the tradition of cutting continues with competitions held throughout the country and around the world. In a competitive cutting class, the horse and rider work as a team, selecting a single steer from the herd and keeping that steer from returning to the group. Some horses take to cutting quite naturally, while others will require extensive training to bring out their natural talents.