CLINICS

Spring work Gordon family ranch, Ernie and Steve are the ropers.

Katie bring a calf to the fire.

We offer three types of clinics: 

• Horsemanship

• Cow Working

• Ranch Roping
  
  Cowboy School is a challenge, but when it's all said and done there is a tremendous amount of learning and a feeling of deep satisfaction.

  Click here to view our schedule and price list

  
  Cheryl bring one to the fire.
   

  COWBOY SCHOOL SKILLS OUTLINE

HORSEMANSHIP

Building a Partnership With Your Horse

Discover exercises that will teach mutual respect, mental and physical softness, communication, the principles of pressure and release, and gain control of the feet and therefore the movement of the horse.

           

Creating Confidence

Gain confidence as you learn to understand how a horse thinks and responds, and what you can do to influence those responses.  Your horse gains confidence as you do.

 

Learning Horse Sense

Learn how a horse thinks, responds to pressure, release from pressure, and threatening situations.  Knowing how to be there to support your horse will help you understand and fulfill your responsibility as a rider and help keep you safe.  Your horse is a feeling, thinking, herd animal that requires a leader that he can respect and trust at all times. You can be that leader. You will begin to understand how everything you do in the saddle is influenced by the ground work you do before you get in the saddle.

 

Ground Work / Work in Hand

Calmly leading, yielding to pressure, turning, bending, freeing up the hindquarters and all four feet are some of the components of ground work. You will learn a philosophy that, when applied, will begin to improve your communication and safety in the saddle.  As your horse learns to respond lightly in the halter you will have the beginnings of the trust and respect you need to solve problems under saddle.

 

Problem Solving

Trailer loading, shoeing, shying, kicking, biting, hard to catch, and hard to bridle are a few of the problems riders encounter.   Many of the problems that arise between horse and rider can be traced to lack of mutual respect. This manifests as tenseness, the inability of the horse to move its feet freely and calmly, and resistance in the mind and the hindquarters.  When feelings of resistance, defensiveness and fear are alleviated, most problems will disappear. 

 

Suppleness / Collection / Balance

Suppleness, collection and balance are mental states that are reached when the horse “turns loose” to a rider through trust and respect, both on the ground and in the saddle.  This mental attitude will be reflected in the quality of movement and in the softness and liveliness of the horse’s response to you and your aids.

 

Safety

Safety of both horse and rider are our prime concern.  A horse that is respectful, happy to be with the human and feels no need to either defend itself or take over the partnership will be safe, eager and fun to ride.

 

Fun!
The reason most folks bought their horse was to have fun. It is much more enjoyable when you feel safe. When your paths of communication are open, you get the response and respect you need for whatever job you choose to do.  If you are working cattle, roping, trail riding or showing, it will all be more fun if your horse wants to be with you and your partnership is working smoothly.

 

Bob’s philosophy is to work in the way that is most natural for the horse and most encouraging and safe for the human.

 

This was Cheryl’s first calf to the fire. The smiles tells the story.

 

 

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CATTLE WORK

           

The most enjoyment you will ever have on your horse is working as a team to

outmaneuver a cow.

Herding

Learn to be in the right place, at the right time, in the right position and you will be a contributing part of the roundup. A valuable tool in knowing just where to be is identifying the cow’s recognition zone, flight zone and fight zone and how to use those zones to move cattle smoothly and quietly. The cattle will give you many opportunities to learn as you gather yearlings and bring them into the pens for sorting.

 

Sorting

Sometimes cows and calves need to be separated and placed in different pens.  Sometimes it is steers that need to be separated from heifers. Whatever the reason for sorting, you will learn the strategy and horsemanship necessary to get those cows in the right pen and make a clean sort.

 

Rodear Work

A traditional cutting method that is still used on big cattle ranches.  As the crew hold the cattle in a circle, each rider takes their turn easing into the herd, peeling off a cow and driving it out.  You will learn how to use the circle to your advantage to stay one jump ahead of the cow.  It is a great way to build your horse’s confidence. This one you will have to experience to appreciate.  The same applies to trailer loading.

 

Trailer Loading

Without chutes, without fences, you and your partners will learn how to load cattle into a stock trailer so that the cows want to be there—and stay there.  This exercise will teach you to watch the eyes, ears and body language of your cow to know just where its attention is.  You will learn how to make your idea become the cow’s idea; a great test of your mastery of position, pressure and release and cow psychology.

 

Fun

It is just plain fun to outwit a cow, to have your horse in position to block and turn the animal and put it just where you want it to be.  Working cattle is also a great way to loose your insecurities and inhibitions and ride much better than ever before. Horses and people both learn faster and relax quicker when they have a job to do. There is no better job than working cattle.

 

Cheryl holding the calf with her horse.

 

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RANCH ROPING

           

The culmination of the partnership between horse and rider

 

Traditional Vaquero Loops

 

Overhand

This is the loop most people are familiar with, and it is the basic loop to start out with.  However, you will discover other fun loops, like…

 

The Houlihan

Not just a horse loop, but also a very versatile throw that you can use from a variety of positions and distances.  This one is vital for the keen or dedicated roper. Great for “outside” work.

 

Backhand

Mastering this loop gives you even more options in a branding pen or while doctoring out in the pasture. A loop that most people pick up quickly when taught correctly.

 

Scoop Loop

A classic, elegant loop that is well worth the time it takes to gain proficiency. Good when you need a quick, accurate throw.  This is also an excellent technique to use in the round pen or at ranch roping competitions.

 

Once you have cattle roped you still need to get to the saddle horn smoothly and safely for your dally.

 

Dallying

Learning to dally safely while heading and heeling is a must. It is a key to effective roping and to keeping the cow’s heels once you have a loop on them.  Your ability to dally correctly will really boost your percentage of successful catches.

 

Branding

The job cowboys look forward to all year. You will learn the skills needed to be a working member of the branding crew.  You’ll learn why roping calves is still the best way to brand.

 

Doctoring

Learn how to doctor if you are working with a partner, alone, in a pen or in a large pasture.

 

            Effectively

            Getting the job done well.

 

            Humanely

            Getting the job done in a way that is low-stress for the cows, the horses and the humans.

 

            Safely

Our first and most important concern is the safety of our students!  We strive to help you have the best, and safest time possible in all the ranch activities.

 

Mark roping in the branding pen.

 

INTRODUCTION TO RANGE MANAGEMENT

            Intensive Grazing

            Grass Management

            Balance of Livestock, Wildlife & Environment

The future of ranching will depend on maintaining harmony and balance with all aspects of nature.

It started to rain and so the ground crew kicked in high gear.
Bobbie, Katie, Derek, and Bill.

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