Working Cow Horse

Maintain longevity in your older performance horses using these insights from Bob Avila.

This week on Horse&Rider OnDemand

If you’re going to compete in the boxing, there are many techniques that can be used to maintain training when you’re at home. Brad Barkemeyer demonstrates show prep on four different cows. Knowing how to safely tie your horse to a tie ring is an important part of horse ownership. Brad demonstrates the knot he likes to use when tying up a horse to ensure that his horse can’t untie the rope or get his foot caught up in it.

Tips to longe your horse effectively; fix buddy sour behavior.

Choosing a cinch is an important part of gear. Learn to stop a spin on target.

What’s the difference between a reining spin and a ranch riding turn? Learn all you need to know about reading cattle.

Keep your horse patient when working the flag. Steps to teach your horse to sidepass.

Choose the right tack for ranch riding. Ace your lope departures.

Earn points when you can plant a pivot. Learn about leg position and cueing.

End frustration when your horse won’t go forward. Ace gait extensions for ranch riding.

Get a precise backup, then add speed. Learn to establish a stop.

Your body position is key to staying safe and getting your horse’s feet unstuck and moving forward.

How can an athletic riding position help you ride better? Tips for clipping for ranch riding classes.

Help a rushy horse stay in gait; use a counter-bend drill for better body control.

Crossfiring—when your horse is on the wrong lead behind—will get you a penalty in many events. But when working a cow, it can jeopardize your working cow horse safety.

Teach your young horse solid rollback fundamentals for a foundation to build a stellar show horse.

When it comes to horse headsets, everyone has opinions. Before making up your mind, consider these factors.

Carol Metcalf has earned her reputation as a top performance horse trainer with talent, determination, and hard work.

Pat Denton rode jumpers, reiners, and cow horses, plus modeled, acted, and did stunt and double work for television and the movies. An extraordinary life? You decide.

Enhance your show experience and extend your performance horse’s skill set by adding ranch riding to your repertoire.

An integral part of the hackamore, the mecate tie rope served a historic function for vaqueros that lives on today.