Try a Cow Clinic

Peeling out a calf, the white one was fiesty!

Looking for something fun and interesting to do, try a cow clinic. Nico and I thought it might be interesting to learn a bit more about moving cattle. Not only is it good for your horse, by desensitizing them to cattle, but it also improves your horsemanship.

We headed over to Marty Martens place early Sunday morning for something different. Jody Marken, Marty's main squeeze, greeted us and directed us to the parking area. The clinic began with Marty and Rich Scott, and about eight other participants with a brief introduction about cattle, and what we could expect for the next three hours. We also practiced the basic movements involved in turning your horse, side passing and backing up. The goal was to influence the movement of cattle without stressing them. Simple movements, perhaps just a step by your horse one way or the other was enough to direct them. We also learned to identify Learning the "bounce point" to which they react and when to back off from the cattle. We tend to think we need to charge at cattle to get a reaction, and we also tend to get too close.

Horsemanship is also very important, your horse should know how to side pass and back up. The rider should understand how to ask their horse for these movements. I noticed many of the individuals participating in this clinic needed to work on these skills. They did not understand how to use their sit bones, crossed their hands over the center line of the horse, twisted their upper bodies and also lifted their legs instead of weighting their feet into their stirrups and pressing with the lower leg and rolling the upper thigh. In order to teach these movement to your horse you need to know the basics of these movements and how to use your body correctly. There is always something to work on!

All in all a fun time, peeling out a cow or two, leading them out and around the group and into openings was a fun time. For more information on these clinics and other obstacle clinics offered please contact Marty and Jody at 720 201 4363 or 720 494 9898.