HORSEMANSHIP

 Linette Gordon and Cheryl checking on cattle.

The horse is the cowboy's finest partner.  That is why one of the most important skills taught at Cowboy School is Horsemanship, the carefully balanced relationship between horse and human.

Calmly leading, yielding to pressure, turning, bending, freeing up the hindquarters and all four feet are some of the components of ground work.

Derek working his horse Gus by the hind feet,
Gus had some major issues and they are getting worked out.

Derek working on the left hind leg, as can see
Gus took a while to work it out.

You will begin to understand that everything you do in the saddle is influenced by the ground work you do before you get in the saddle.

This paint mare that Annie is working had some major problems with her feet,
This is the third time Annie has worked her feet.
After the first time they were able to shoe her.

You will learn to understand the forces that motivate your horse and strengthen the bonds of friendship...

Karyl freeing up the hind quarters on San Juan.

Invaluable training you'll take with you every time you saddle up.

Knowing how to be there for your horse will help you understand and fulfill your responsibility as a rider and help keep you safe.

Phil on Dancer and Bob on Amigo with
Hap and Roxie heading out to check the pastures.

When the paths of communication are open, you get the response and respect you need for whatever job you choose to do.

Tom on Dandy being flagged by Bob on Amigo.
 

Softness, suppleness and balance will be reflected in the quality of movement and in the liveliness of the horse's response to your aids.

Tom from South Africa on Dancer.

 

Bob working on the soft feel at a lope.

 

Tom working on a two tracking on Dandy.

I like the reach that Amigo has given me with his left front as we work on turns on his haunches.
 

Getting Amigo better about roping and pull with the rope.
 

PROFESSOR BOB

By Katie Maddox

Out there in the western lands you’ll find a man of great repute.

He runs a thing called Cowboy School; he’s tall of hat and boot.

He takes on dudes and dudettes green, and teaches them to ride,

To rope some, and work cattle, too; he’s always at their side.

He knows just how to phrase a thing so you can comprehend

And lets you learn at your own pace to reach that better end.

At Cowboy School the rule of safety first is number one,

And number two is just behind, and that’s to have some fun!

His patient ways are legendary; he’s never out of time,

And if you need to see a thing again, well, that’s just fine.

He’ll teach you how to sit a horse and how to use your aids.

He’ll help you learn to help your horse, and doesn’t give bad grades!

This professor of  cowboy-ology, his name it is Bob King.

A skilled and sorta bashful guy, his praises I must sing.

For he has hung in there with me when I would ‘bout lose hope

And helped me start to see the light when in the dark I’d grope.

There is no telling where I’d be if not for this good man.

He’s helped me when I doubted if I could, to know: I can!

This journey of the horse we’re on will never reach an end

But I’ll continue traveling with the help of Bob, my friend.

My ponies mean the world to me and they deserve the best.

But I’m the only one they’ve got, so I’ll keep up the quest

To learn and strive to be as good with them as I can be.

So thank you, Bob, my friend and dean of cowboyology.

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