Cutting/Working Cow Horse Question

dacowgirl · 07-05-2009, 06:49 PM

Hi all, I'm looking at a cutting horse, who is 18, hasn't cut for years because of her age, but is currently used as all around rodeo queen horse. She does AMAZING reining and pattern work, nice lead change, good circles, stops, rollbacks, etc. I think she'd make a great all around mare but, I was just wondering how easy it is for a horse that was trained to cut and do working cow horse to do other things around cattle? (Team penning, sorting, pushing, etc.)

Any suggestions/ input is very appreciated! I know NOTHING about cutters so am also looking for any extra info you have!

doublebarr · 07-05-2009, 06:58 PM

Super easy if she has the handle you say she has. If she was solely a cutter, then you might have issues with sorting when you want to direct her to take the cow further from the herd than she is used to working one, but since she has done reined work, she knows to look for direction and "push a cow" down the fence.

dacowgirl · 07-05-2009, 07:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by doublebarr

Super easy if she has the handle you say she has. If she was solely a cutter, then you might have issues with sorting when you want to direct her to take the cow further from the herd than she is used to working one, but since she has done reined work, she knows to look for direction and "push a cow" down the fence.

Okay, so if I were to go pen her, any recomendations or special suggestions as to how to start her differently than another horse? Or go at it the same way? I like her so much I just think she'd make an awesome addition plus she'd be inexpensive- close to free!

doublebarr · 07-05-2009, 07:06 PM

Be ready for her to set down with a cow to work it when you first enter the herd, LOL. If she is a well trained cutter, then don't drop your hand to let her work on her own. Since she has reined work, she knows that unless you drop your hand, she is to look to you for direction when working the cow.

Also, if you are not the sorter, then she will probably try to take a turnback position and drive the cow back to the herd when it's brought out to you. So just be ready to direct her to keep driving the cow out to the pen or across the line.

dacowgirl · 07-05-2009, 07:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by doublebarr

Be ready for her to set down with a cow to work it when you first enter the herd, LOL. If she is a well trained cutter, then don't drop your hand to let her work on her own. Since she has reined work, she knows that unless you drop your hand, she is to look to you for direction when working the cow.

Also, if you are not the sorter, then she will probably try to take a turnback position and drive the cow back to the herd when it's brought out to you. So just be ready to direct her to keep driving the cow out to the pen or across the line.

Okay thank you SO much for all the info!

07-05-2009, 06:49 PM	#1
dacowgirl Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Rainy but beautiful, Oregon! Posts: 481 Images: 21	Cutting/Working Cow Horse Question Hi all, I'm looking at a cutting horse, who is 18, hasn't cut for years because of her age, but is currently used as all around rodeo queen horse. She does AMAZING reining and pattern work, nice lead change, good circles, stops, rollbacks, etc. I think she'd make a great all around mare but, I was just wondering how easy it is for a horse that was trained to cut and do working cow horse to do other things around cattle? (Team penning, sorting, pushing, etc.) Any suggestions/ input is very appreciated! I know NOTHING about cutters so am also looking for any extra info you have! __________________ Oregon Cowgirls Do It In The Rain! Boots, chaps and cowboy hats... nothin' else matters.

07-05-2009, 06:58 PM	#2
doublebarr Senior Member+ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Missouri Posts: 9,983 Images: 756	Super easy if she has the handle you say she has. If she was solely a cutter, then you might have issues with sorting when you want to direct her to take the cow further from the herd than she is used to working one, but since she has done reined work, she knows to look for direction and "push a cow" down the fence. __________________ Not being able to enjoy sarcasm is directly related to not having the ability to come up with sarcastic comments, which in turn creates a feeling of inadequacy, which in turn can spawn a Napoleon complex, that can cause someone to logicise that sarcasm is the humor of the stupid.~~~

07-05-2009, 07:06 PM	#4
doublebarr Senior Member+ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Missouri Posts: 9,983 Images: 756	Be ready for her to set down with a cow to work it when you first enter the herd, LOL. If she is a well trained cutter, then don't drop your hand to let her work on her own. Since she has reined work, she knows that unless you drop your hand, she is to look to you for direction when working the cow. Also, if you are not the sorter, then she will probably try to take a turnback position and drive the cow back to the herd when it's brought out to you. So just be ready to direct her to keep driving the cow out to the pen or across the line. __________________ Not being able to enjoy sarcasm is directly related to not having the ability to come up with sarcastic comments, which in turn creates a feeling of inadequacy, which in turn can spawn a Napoleon complex, that can cause someone to logicise that sarcasm is the humor of the stupid.~~~

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