Sample Our Newsletter
"Horse Riding Tips," from my FREE monthly newsletter

From the How to Train a Horse Series:

"Horses require motivation during training – it's what keeps them trying to find the right answer. Maybe you're trying to teach the horse to move his shoulder. You pick up a rein, the pressure on the horse's mouth causes him to search for the release. He soon learns to move his shoulder over to get a release.) Something important to keep in mind is this: While some horses require a lot of motivation (read: pressure in your hand or legs), others may require very, very little. Assuming that all horses require a lot of motivation is asking for trouble. You've got to experiment to find out which horse you've got at the moment you're riding. "Over-motivating" an uppity horse will put too much energy into your horse; you'll have less control and he'll actually be less responsive. So, bottom line: How much motivation you apply depends upon the horse and it may take more – or less – than you first imagine. Experiment to find out what gets the best results."

(sign up | read more)

From John Lyons Trainer Keith Hosman

Stop Bucking Study Course
A Downloadable Book

A sample from Day 2:

"You were also directed to read another article “Good Now Bad Later.” That piece covers the idea that horse’s go through learning cycles. It says that “If your horse was doing something well yesterday, but lousy today, take heart.” It means that the training you began IS working - you simply haven’t practiced to the point of the horse “knowing it.” I tell folks in clinics that when this happens (the horse is bad at an exercise today, but was good yesterday) that they should actually be kinda happy about it. It means that the horse is moving through the learning cycle, that you have made a dent in his thinking even if it’s simply him deciding to resist. What you need to take from this is this: Keep at it, be consistent and realize you are making a change. He’s decided to resist because yesterday he was the boss - not you. Horses that buck are teenagers used to lounging on the couch, surfing YouTube. You say “Hey, how about you get up and carry me around the arena?” They look at you like you’re nuts. To get you off their back, so to speak, they buck (or hint at it). Your horse will go through good and bad stages. You don’t get through the bad parts by changing what you’re doing, instead you stay resolute and consistent."

- Print out from home
- 5 Days, 5 chapters
- Learn at your own pace

Just $4.99

For more info:
this course | all courses

Available Downloads:
"Stop Bucking"
"Rein/Speed" (for Nervous Horse Owners)
"Round Pen First Steps"
"Trailer Training"

Jump to Article Category Arenas and Footing Barrel Racing Basic Care and Knowledge Basic Training Bedding and Manure Beginner / Novice Riders Bits Boarding, Barns and Stables Body Language Breeds Breeds and Characteristics Business Buying or Selling Horses Camps (Kids/Riding) Careers Clicker Training Dressage Fear (Rider's) Feeding Fencing Footing Gaited Horses Green Horses Grooming Ground Training Hay and Pasture Management Health Hoof Care Horse Lovers Illness Injury Insurance Jumping Lessons Mounting Nervous Horses Nervous Riders Ownership Polo Properties Rearing Relationship Rescue Riding Roping Saddles and Saddling Safety Senior Horses Showing Spurs Stopping Supplies Tack Teeth / Dentistry Trail Riding Trailering and Travel Trainers Training (General) Training Methods Trust Tying / Cross Ties Weight and Condition Young Equestrians

GUEST AUTHOR ARTICLES Ropers Horse

 
Navigation:  Article Index  |  Previous Page  Next Page

Tell A Friend (click to send them an email)

Link to this Page (click for code and easy instructions)

Find this article faster next time:  

"Choosing the Right Horse For Calf Roping"
By Phil Wiskell

When it comes to weekends at the rodeo, riders and their horses must be equally athletic. Particularly when it comes to the rodeo's timed events - barrel racing, steer wrestling and calf roping - athleticism is essential. The success of the rodeo cowboy is measured as much by having the right horse, as it is by the cowboy's athletic skills and timing.

In timed events, horses must be willing and able to respond well to their riders, make quick turns and be able to burst forward at full speed, when it is necessary to do so.

Because of their strong hind legs and muscular power, it is most often the American Quarter Horse that is used in rodeo events. Given that the American Quarter Horse got its name because the breed clocks the fastest quarter mile runs, it's little wonder that, when it comes to timed events in the rodeo ring, Quarter Horses are used for barrel racing and steer wrestling and are considered to be great calf roping horses as well.

Calf roping horses aren't just in the rodeo ring for their speed and precision; they play a greater role in the event as well. For those who are unfamiliar with calf roping, the event involves the calf roping horse, his rider and a calf. The roping horses are brought up to a full gallop; the rider throws the lasso around the calf and dismounts. The horse then backs up enough to keep tension on the rope while the rider ties the calf. When he returns to the horse, the rider mounts and the tension on the lasso rope is eased to determine whether or not the calf will remain tied.

Calf roping horses, therefore, not only need to be trained and athletic in order to work with the bursts of speed and sudden stops, but also they need to be able to respond well to their riders. The relationship that calf roping horses have with their riders is essential to the success that will be had during this exciting competitive event.

Therefore, when most riders look to buy a horse as a calf roping horse, temperament and intelligence are characteristics that most horse buyers are looking to find in a horse. Calf roping horses - as well as all American Quarter Horses that are going to be used on a ranch and in similar settings - should have a calm disposition, and they should be able to respond quickly to their riders and the situation where they are used.

As with shopping for most products, when you are looking at any horse, you'll want to determine how you will be using the horse. Those who are going to be riding in rodeo events on a regular basis - in other words, a rider who will be taking his calf roping horses from one rodeo to another and competing as a professional athlete - will probably be looking at a horse differently than someone who intends to compete in only a few events during the year.

In other words, those who will be training their horses for a few weekend rodeos are more likely to be looking at American Quarter Horses that are not only adept in the rodeo ring, but that also are comfortable working throughout the week at the ranch. Of course, other individuals may be looking at calf roping horses that they have seen during rodeo events and may decide to choose a Quarter Horse as a cattle horse, solely for use on their own ranch without the intention of competing. Many ranchers find that the calf roping horse is well-trained and well-suited for average, everyday activities in the ranching business.

Of course, the right calf roping horse for one rider isn't always going to be the right horse for another. When looking at horses for sale, if you are looking at Quarter Horses particularly for calf roping, it's important to choose a horse that a good fit. In some cases, that will mean choosing a horse that's solid and gentle and will be great for those who are learning the sport. In other cases, it will mean a taller horse, for others it will mean a shorter horse: it's a matter of personal comfort and preference.

As always, you'll want to be sure that the horse is in good health, that its legs and back are strong enough to carry your weight, and that the horse you choose either is already in great shape or can easily be conditioned for your chosen competitive sport or other use.

About the Author: Phil Wiskell is a writer for HorseClicks.com, popular classifieds of horses for sale, horse property and trailers for sale.

Source: www.isnare.com
Permanent Link:
http://www.isnare.com/?aid=265589&ca=Pets

Navigation:  Article Index  |  Previous Page  Next Page

***

Disclaimer: Equine training can be a hazardous activity which may subject the participants to possible serious injury. Keith Hosman, Josh Lyons, Patrick Benson, their associates and other trainers listed on this site will not assume any liability for your activities. Our newsletter, books and videos provide general information, instruction and techniques that may not be suitable for everyone. No warranty is given regarding the suitability of this information, the instructions, and techniques to you or other individuals acting under your instructions.

All Rights Reserved (TM) 2009, horsemanship101.com
No part of this website, including newsletter material and photos, may be reproduced without our express written permission.