How to Prepare Your Horse for Ranch Sorting

When working cows, I'm most concerned with rating speed, and turning over the hindquarters.

Walk-Trot-Lope To Backup
I like to back my horse up from a forward motion. I don't want a long pause between the forward and backward motion. I want him to immediately hurry back. To get him to go backwards quicker, I use my legs rather than my hands. I also like to make a change of direction after the backup. This exercise gets the horse thinking about getting back on the hind end.

If your horse pokes his nose out, use your legs to drive him into the bit. Back him up more.
If your horse hits his front end in the stop, drive him forward. Then ask again.

Working With the Flag
First get your horse accustomed to the flag moving. When he is okay with it, show him he can cause it to move. Ride parallel to the flag until it changes direction. When it does, move the shoulders around the hindquarters and get back parallel to the flag again. Keep the horse's eye on the flag/cow.

Until next time, may God bless the trails you ride!
- Ken McNabb

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