Comments on: Cutting Basics

By: Replacing the Irreplaceable

Replacing the Irreplaceable — Fri, 10 Jun 2011 16:31:52 +0000

[...] on his Whitman, Nebraska, cattle ranch to create a work horse that could also rodeo or show in cutting and reining. In 1982, he purchased CC Jet Smooth as a yearling in hopes the colt would be a good [...]

By: The Plain and Simple Bute – America’s Horse Daily

The Plain and Simple Bute – America’s Horse Daily — Thu, 10 Feb 2011 19:48:39 +0000

[...] to ride. I’m 58 years old and often have to have a little Advil in order to comfortably ride my cutting [...]

By: Kelly

Kelly — Tue, 28 Dec 2010 17:55:33 +0000

Hi there!

I have a 2 and 1/2 year old Hollywood Dun It colt with old cutting blood in his background, top and bottom. I compete in cutting on an older Freckles Playboy gelding and someday will retire him. My goal is to put my colt in cutting training. However, he is a pretty tall guy and his growing has been phenomenal. He was very leggy for quite awhile and I didn’t want to start him too early; I was afraid of blowing knees and hocks. He is also a little immature in the head but really coming around. He is saddle broke, I have been on him and doing a lot of bending and teaching him to move off of leg with great success. My question is, is he too old to put into cutting training? Have I missed his time? He will officially be 3 at the end of May 2011. He has filled out nicely and thickened in the leg and I believe that he can handle it not to mention he really needs a job. My trainer, a great one, who has done wonders for me in the cutting arena ultimately starts colts at 2. He is a successful, wonderful trainer and a success in the cutting arena. I will appreciate any input you have to offer

By: Producers Pop Quiz – America’s Horse Daily

Producers Pop Quiz – America’s Horse Daily — Fri, 17 Dec 2010 10:02:13 +0000

[...] up with a sorrel mare born in 1954 named Chickasha Ann, then you get the gold star for knowing your cutting horse [...]

By: Kelly

Kelly — Sun, 15 Aug 2010 17:59:30 +0000

I just started cutting and have a great older finished cutter whose been there done that. I have a terrible problem leaning forward in my saddle instead of “sitting deep”. What does sitting deep mean? What is the cutters slump? Everytime I try to mimic what I see, I’m all over in the saddle. It frustrates me so and I’ve tried rolling my pelvis, etc. etc. but it doesn’t seem to work. Pushing on the horn to press my fanny back in the seat seems to be a disaster and relaxing my shoulders makes me look like a sack of potatoes. I’m a great rider and can ride just about anything but this is confounding me. Help!!

By: Roping Horsemanship? – America’s Horse Daily

Roping Horsemanship? – America’s Horse Daily — Fri, 21 May 2010 12:03:44 +0000

[...] is so neat that a horse can be so good-minded and so versatile for his owners. He did reining and cow horse as a 3- and 4-year-old, then learned the roping as a late 4-year-old, qualifying for the World Show [...]

By: Lifelong Scholar: Part 2 – America’s Horse Daily

Lifelong Scholar: Part 2 – America’s Horse Daily — Mon, 17 May 2010 12:02:01 +0000

[...] asked if I would help with this cutting (in Brooks, Alberta) to turn back,” Bill said. “A group from Edmonton that was down got [...]

By: The Doc Bar Heritage – America’s Horse Daily

The Doc Bar Heritage – America’s Horse Daily — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 14:26:59 +0000

[...] of his mama (Poco Lena). He works just like she did. I don’t believe I have ever ridden a better cutting horse, let alone a [...]

By: Pam

Pam — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 23:03:47 +0000

PUSH PUSH ~~~always push on that horn !!!

By: Nancy Swarm – America’s Horse Daily

Nancy Swarm – America’s Horse Daily — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 12:02:22 +0000

[...] learn the hunters. Then I went to work for the legendary Dale Wilkinson to learn about reining and cutting horses. It took me three years to get him to hire me. I was the first woman he [...]

By: Dave

Dave — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 17:30:39 +0000

I’ve recently purchased a much more advanced horse than the one I was riding to teach me. This horse is much faster through his turns. I’m not having trouble stoping or turning it’s when the horse makes multiple moves with the cow and then accelerates much faster than what I’m prepared for and slides me back out of the saddle before I can react. Should I be pulling on the horn? Please help.

Thanks.

By: Al Dunning

Al Dunning — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 17:40:25 +0000

Hi Brooke,

All horses that are “cowy” want to go toward the cow. While training we make sure our horses fully stop before they turn. That keeps the horse’s axis centered so th3y don’t roll toward a cow when they turn. I do a lot of what we call “driving off,” where I drive my horse toward the cow and break off to a parallel line with the cow when the cow moves. This keeps the horse on a line and reinforces the proper axis of the turn.

We always want our cutting horses to have what we call “draw.” That means when the cow stops, the horse stops and draws backwards before beginning the turn. This allows the horse to use his hocks properly and not push toward the cow while working.

A good cutting horse works a cow at any distance, but more importantly holds its line. My suggestion is for you to ride toward the cow. When the cow moves, go parallel with it, and stop with the cow. When the cow begins to turn, don’t immediately turn. Instead, draw your horse straight back, allowing the cow to pull your horse through the turn. Always practice form.

My best,

AQHA Professional Horseman Al Dunning