I thought a list of basics could serve Liz well, AND be a source of reminders to all of us about making sure OUR OWN fundamentals stay sound.
I think it would be beneficial to Liz, and to all all of us, for you to comment at the bottom of this article with any advice you have for Liz starting out. Please feel free to comment on my suggestions as well. Your comments will be posted under this article on our website.
Here are my Top Ten Tips for new cutters and when you’re learning herdwork:
1. Find a horse that suits your needs.
2. Find a trainer/mentor you can trust and who can teach you well. Never underestimate the importance of being a good match with that person personality wise. Just because a trainer is supposed to be “the one” per another person’s opinion, you have to feel comfortable in the relationship.
3. Learn the rules via the NCHA Judges’ Rules and Guidelines.
4. Learn to be very proficient at cutting for shape. You will use this fundamental skill for the rest of your cutting life no matter how skilled you become at cutting specific cattle.
5. Seek to become a better horseman or woman. Keep learning basic horsemanship skills. Become a student of the horse and cutting through any and every educational resource you can lay your hands on … free, borrowed and purchased. Take what works. Leave the rest.
6. Understand where you are supposed to be on a cow. You can’t get there if you don’t know where you are going. Learn correct positioning on a cow and how to achieve that on your horse.
Barbs suggestion on using the power of your mind to help you relax and sit deep and relax your legs has helped me a lot as a beginner. I repeat those words to myself every time before I go in the gate.
Two things – out of all the cutting essentials that have stayed true for me are -don’t just watch the cows head but watch the front legs/shoulder/head of the cow- crucial! And, learn what your horse works best in positioning to the cow. Example: most of the time I ride my horse to the outside of the cow- my knee is at the cows shoulder. But, sometimes your horse is better to the left or the right to be slightly inside the cow – cows head to your horses head. Perhaps your horse works better this way or he/she does… Read more »
I just went out of the herd for the first time ( in front of a judge)
My fabulous trainer gave me three things to concentrate on…
1 ) Walk into the herd slow, if you think you are going slow… go slower
2) watch the cow/ stop the cow
3) let your turn back help do their job
and repeat step 2 !!!
Take online courses from Barb and
Sandy….
Don’t quit….
have FUN
Thank you, Kim! And yes!
All of the above, do not get discouraged since it is a learning curve and it takes time to master all of the skills. Every time you walk to the herd it is a chance to learn and perfect your cow “sense”. And watch your video with your trainer, that is seeing the run as it happened and a great learning tool.
Yes, Beth! Absolutely!