Terry Schultz Training

Working Cow Horse Clinic in Mooslargue September 11-12

See News page 

Working with Steve and Carol Metcalf gave me tremendous experience in this field, both having been World and Reserve Champions in Working or Reined Cow Horse; their son Carter has Champion and Reserve Champion Titles at the AQHA Youth World Show.

They are also the breeders of our gelding Play N Smart, (Woody) whose sire Dry N Play has World and Reserve World titles in NRCHA and multiple top ten placings at the AQHA World.  

ABOUT COW HORSE CLINICS

 Working in small groups, the riders, normally a maximum of ten per day, first practice 'dry work'; training without cows so the horses are soft and listening to the hand, running forward and straight with elevated shoulders, and sitting deep on their haunches while stopping, backing up and turning or rolling back. The rider works on riding parallel to the fence and imagining keeping 'eye to eye' with the cow.

dry work 

cow work
The cow is in the eye of the beholder...

Very important is that the rider keeps their eyes on the eyes of the cow, they tell you everything you need to know in order to read and anticipate their next move. Equally so, the horse's eyes need to be 'on the cow' ...the judges look for this quality... the horse's independent attention, concentration, reflexes and response to the cow.  The purpose is to control the cow, not simply chase it.... so to have the cow focused on, and waiting for, you and your horse to move him, even when he is still, will help your score.

The next step is to box or work your cow on the short side of the arena, keeping even and parallel with him, stopping him before the sides and turning him back and forth in both directions.

Once this is demonstrated, the horse and rider will take the cow down the fence  (long side of the arena), usually with much more speed, passing him and 'turning him back' against the fence then sending him, before turning him back again, in the other direction. The last maneuver  is sometimes the most difficult, circling the cow a complete 360 degree turn, shoulder to shoulder in one direction and then in the oppostite direction, in a figure 8.

Anyone who has good control of their horse, which does need to be bred for this work, and does not necessarily have experience with cows already. The clinic  work teaches the rider and the horse how to work a cow.  A range of horses and riders of all ages are participating and we will always try to find a cow to match your level!

so no matter who you are, you are sure to leave with a smile...