MARTIN BLACK - ranch SCHool July 5-7 & 9-11th, 2012

"Reading cattle can teach us a lot about reading horses, and handling cattle with horses gives our horses purpose. The purpose of working cattle horseback is to improve the horse and make the job easier; it takes practice to develop these skills."

Horsemanship
Stockmanship
Ranch Roping

“You can learn equine anatomy by reading and studying, but you can’t learn horsemanship anywhere else but from a horse. The horse is the only one who can tell you if what you’re doing is working.”

Topics:

Advanced Horsemanship that focuses on Developing the Bridle Horse. Progression from Bosal to 2 Rein, to the Bridle Horse. Presentation on Traditional Bridles and Buckaroo gear.

Developing ‘Feel’, understanding position and balance.

Advancing maneuvers such as stopping, backing, turns and pivots, lead changes.

“With consistently positive experiences, your cow horse learns to dominate the cow and finds that encouraging. He develops an interest in controlling the cow, reading her body language, anticipating her actions and gauging his postion”

“A cow isn’t a highly intelligent animal, but it’s interesting to see how many experienced horsemen have difficulty outthinking one”

Topics:

Breeding and controlling Cattle. Use of ‘Flight Zone’ and ‘Balance Point’. Cow control exercises.

Offensive and Defensive Positions

A Pen Principles and Theory, Building ‘Cow Horse’ Confidence

Working cattle in the Rodear (herd in the open)

Open range Etiquette, Low stress sorting and branding techniques

Low Stress Trailer Loading Techniques (of cattle)

Ranch Doctoring- Techniques and safety

“Becoming a good roper always takes practice and experience”

“Pretty soon, you are so familiar with that rope, it becomes an extension of your arm”

Topics:

Getting started and simple roping truths.

Roping Safety

Different loops and when to use them. (Flat loop, Sidearm, Underhand, Forehand, Offside, Houlihan, Backhand, Heel, Culo, Backdoor, Del Veinto)

Tips for Headers and Heelers.

Theory such as rope selection, using position to your advantage, and how to help your horse.

Practice on the ground roping dummies. Roping dummies from your horse. Roping live cattle.

For more information, check out Martin's website: www.martinblack.net