Working ranch horse competitions, like this one sponsored by the American Paint Horse Association, emphasize practical skills. During the trail segment, this contestant drags a log. Photo courtesy APHA.
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If you pay attention to the press, “specialized” seems to be
the name of the horse game. But before you decide to trade in good old Mr.
Reliable for a horse who can star in just one discipline—you might want to
consider getting involved in versatility ranch horse events.
There’s currently a push to celebrate horses that aren’t
super at just one thing but competent at many! These are the kind of good,
all-around horses that have truly shaped our country—the kind of horses that are
probably standing right out in your pasture today.
Interest in versatility has grown by leaps and bounds over
the past few years—and not just among cowboys. For example, the American Ranch
Horse Association (ARHA), home-based in Kentucky, formed in 2004 with 12 initial
members. It now has more than 3,500 members and nine charter organizations. It’s
just one of the many organizations that are carving out a place for horses and
riders with a variety of talents.
What is Ranch Horse Versatility?
Long before
horse shows as we know them began, ranch cowboys
got together
to show
their stuff, just for fun. The versatility aspect is what
gives ranch
horse riding its flavor today. Versatile ranch
horses are expected
to
be competent in a range of situations.
And while not every organization
recognizes the exact same events in
the ranch horse tradition, for the
most
part, there are five
dimensions to the competition:
1. Ranch Conformation. These horses aren’t built like the
halter horses at the Quarter Horse Congress. Well-built ranch horses
are
balanced and designed to do the jobs that life on a ranch
requires.
“It’s form to function. Conformation does not necessarily
mean
pretty. Conformation is correct. Pretty can be correct, but I’ve been
on
some plain-Jane horses that have been put together well,” says
trainer
and ARHA
judge Bill Black.
2. Ranch Riding. This division is the ranch
horse equivalent
to western pleasure.
“When you spend 10 to 12 hours in the saddle, you’re looking
for a
horse that makes it easy for you,” says Southern Stockhorse Association
(SSA) president Creig Dawes.
In competition, a horse is judged on the gaits, consistency,
and
manners that are necessary in a working horse.
3. Ranch Trail. Again, think about the
trail class at the
local 4-H show. In addition to the usual
mailbox,
gate, and raincoat tasks,
horse and rider traverse
obstacles that are
encountered on a ranch, such as
roping a
dummy (fake) steer, loading
and unloading from a trailer, or dragging a
log.
4. Working Ranch Horse, Working Cow Horse
or Roping. The difference between working ranch
horse and
working cow
horse is minimal. In both, the horse and rider
perform a
reining pattern, cut or work a cow at one
end of the arena,
turn the cow, and
move the cow in a
circle. This requires the
widest
range of skill of all the
events. Some organizations
provide the option
of
roping a cow instead, without
the
necessity of tying it fast
to the
saddle.
5. Cutting or Ranch Cutting. In cutting, a rider guides his
horse into a herd of cows, separates one from the herd, and does not interfere
with the horse as it keeps the cow from returning to the herd. Ranch cutting is
the same idea, although the rider is allowed to assist the horse in keeping the
cow from returning to the herd.
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Multi-Taskers Wanted!
• No specialty needed. Ranch versatility encompasses basic
tests of conformation, ranch riding, trail, cow work, roping and cutting.
• Explore the ranch horse activities in your area. There is
probably an organization, clinic, or competition in your state.
• Get to know other people who have experience with the ranch
horse discipline.
• Work with your horse on the basics, developing a good mind
and multiple skills.
• Don't be shy. Ranch horse competitions and educational events tend to be laid
back and designed for all levels of experience. |
In addition to these five events, many ranch competitions also host
speed events,
horsemanship, and roping—encompassing important ranching
skills. For
folks
without the desire to work cattle, the other
aspects of ranch
horse riding are
just as challenging and
enjoyable. In many
organizations, a number of members
are
novices in working cattle, or
riders who stick to the non-cattle events
altogether.
Why is Ranch Horse Versatility So
Popular?
Ranch horse versatility is gaining popularity because
people
enjoy the low-key, family-friendly atmosphere and the
opportunity to participate
in a number of events.
“It’s a great place for amateurs to get started showing. It’s
inexpensive, and the quality of horse flesh doesn’t have to be as great
as it
necessarily would for a national-level reined cow horse,” says
trainer and Rocky
Mountain Quarter Horse Association (RMQHA)
Competition Organizer Blue Allen.
The working cowboys who use their horses for a living and
want to
have some fun with them also have a place at ranch horse
competitions.
Plus, there’s something for every rider.
“You can take one horse and show several different
disciplines
within the organization,” says trainer and ARHA Director Ben Bowman.
“The horse may not be great at one particular thing, but he can do a
little bit
of everything.”
Outside of the competition arena, the organizations are built
upon
camaraderie and education.
“There’s a place for the people who are just beginning,
there’s a
place for the extremely experienced competitor, and there’s a place
for
everyone in between,” says trainer and ARHA judge Linda Black.
Many groups host clinics or practice sessions the day before
the
show so competitors can get feedback and non-competitors can ride with a
group.
Whether participants are die-hard competitors or just riding
ranch
horses recreationally, helping to promote the versatility of the true
working horse is a primary reason for involvement.
How Do I Get Started?
Getting involved with a
ranch horse organization is the best
way to learn more, find
knowledgeable people, and become a part of this growing
discipline.
Word-of-mouth has done wonders for driving the membership of
many
organizations. Riders and trainers in disciplines related to
versatility,
such as reining, working cow horse, and roping, might know
of a group
in the
area. An Internet search is another good
tool.
With organized ranch horse events as a fairly new concept,
the
different groups are still evolving to meet members’ needs.
Some are open to all riders and breeds. American Paint Horse
Association (APHA) and the American Quarter Horse Association
(AQHA)
events are
open to their respective breeds. APHA does
have a breeding
stock division in its
annual competition, so
all of its members can be
involved. Some AQHA affiliates
with
ranch horse programs, such as the
Rocky Mountain Quarter Horse
Association,
allow non-registered and
grade horses to compete
and participate in its
activities.
The ARHA currently restricts horses at its competitions to
those
registered with AQHA, APHA, Appaloosa Horse Club, International
Buckskin
Horse Association, Palomino Horse Breeders Association, or
Pinto Horse
Association registries.
“It’s not that the other horses can’t do the job,” says
Bowman.
“When we were just getting started, we didn’t want to make it where
there was a bunch of different types of horses because of the
difficulty in
judging.”
Now that ARHA is on its feet and the interest from all breeds
is
apparent, the organization is considering opening to other breeds.
For non-competing members, many ranch horse organizations
offer
other programs. The ARHA has the Horseback Riding Program, recognizing
time spent trail riding and riding recreationally.
Additionally, most
associations host clinics, trail rides, and practice
rides for
competitors and
recreational riders alike.
What Kind of Horse Do I Need?
Everyone
interviewed for this story agrees that, above all, a
versatile
ranch
horse has to have a good mind. All the talent and ability in the
world
do not matter if the horse can’t concentrate on the job
at hand.
“They need to get a job done in a workmanlike manner. No
foolishness,” says Dawes.
When ranching was a way of life—and in areas where it still
is—thinking, workmanlike horses were the norm. These horses
were ridden
every
day, every week. There is no training
substitute for time spent
in the
saddle.
While the atmosphere at ranch horse events is laid back,
there is a
lot of pressure in the arena, especially in the cattle classes.
In addition to a good mind, Thurow likes to see a horse that
uses
his hindquarters and has a steady headset, a good stop, and the ability
to
neck rein and pick up leads. When you hear a cowboy talk about a
“handy” horse,
these are the skills he is referring to. Being
handy is
being well-mannered and
ready, willing, and able to
work.
In reality, the ranch horse’s attributes matter more than its
breed.
If you want to compete, check the show’s requirements. But if
you want
to
work with ranch horses for fun, every breed is
capable. Some of the
largest
ranches in the West use Arabians,
Morgans, Tennessee
Walkers,
and even
mules.
Common sense is needed when choosing a horse. If you want to
rope
2,000-pound bulls, a waif of a horse is not going to do the job and can
quickly create a dangerous situation. Thurow likes
not-too-tall horses,
around
15 hands with stocky
builds, especially for roping.
Having a “cowy” horse is definitely a plus for ranch work,
but those
without a lot of cowsense can still do great in the non-cow
events.
“You’ve gotta have a horse that’s got the ability and desire.
Taking
a horse without cow sense into a cattle class is like taking a
Mexican
Chihuahua bear hunting. The horse has to be suited and
be
willing,”
says Bill
Black.
Horses suited for versatile ranch horse events don’t have to
cost a
lot. The general characteristics outlined so far are ones that aren’t
necessarily a result of tons of training but of tons of
riding. Horses
designed
to do well in all events will
cost
more, but they are not
going for the price of
specialized
reining or dressage
horses.
“If you want an old, seasoned horse with experience, you will
pay
good money for him. There is no substitute for seasoning, hauling, and
showing these horses. It takes a lot of time in preparation at
home,
whether
that’s your time or someone else’s,”
says
Black.
How Much Experience Do I Need?
Because the versatile
ranch horse discipline is new to many,
beginners are in good
company.
Many organizations are set up to support and
encourage riders who are
new to the sport.
“Basic horsemanship will get you a long way. If you, as a
rider, can
position your horse in different places and know how
to move
your
horse
and change leads, you can do most
ranch horse
events
without major
training,”
says Bowman.
Before diving into the ranch horse discipline full-force,
scout it
out to see if it’s what you want to pursue.
“Come to a show. See what everything is about,” suggests
Bowman.
Not only will you know what to expect when you enter a
competition,
but you will find out who is experienced and can help guide you.
Here,
you won’t see the sliding stops and spins that you would
at a national
reining competition, but you
will see
good
horsemanship, safe
practices, and a
good
time.
Another place to visit is a clinic. Many trainers and
organizations
hold ranch horse clinics and practice rides; some before a show
and
others as entirely separate events. These usually fill up
quickly.
“There are a lot of people in this neck of the woods that
want to
learn better horsemanship skills,” says Moulton of EMRHA’s New
England-based membership. “Pretty much everything we do is to
try to
help each
other. That’s what the practices are
all
about.”
Allen agrees, “The clinics are great. Find some local
clinics, and
you’ll get to meet a lot of people.”
Many clinics and practices focus on one or two aspects of the
versatility discipline. Other clinics are held in actual ranch
settings. The
Blacks’ annual Cross 9 Ranch
Cow
Working Clinic
started
nine years ago as a
group of
friends helping a
neighbor doctor his
calves. This quickly
turned into
a
friendly
clinic environment for many
veteran and beginner ranch horse
riders
in and around
Indiana.
When it comes to competition, tack and attire requirements
vary
between organizations. No rider would be out of place by entering the
arena
in their everyday equipment. You’re less likely to see
riders
with the
sequins
and silver than you
are to
see them with
regular working tack
and
attire.
“I don’t want anybody going out and spending a lot of money
on what
they’re going to show in,” says Dawes.
Everything should be clean, safe and well-maintained,
emphasizes
Linda Black.
When considering venturing to a show with your horse, read
the rule
book first. Organizers agree that working cowboys, especially, know
their job on the ranch, but tend to overlook show-ring
subtleties such
as when
to change leads in a reining
pattern
or what bits are legal.
What you’ll find at all of these events is down-to-earth people who are
riding ranch
horses as a passion. Even the larger versatile
ranch horse
events
aren’t too
competitive or
cut-throat. They are
friendly, supportive
places to
be. You
won’t
make a killing
with your earnings in
this
discipline, but
you will come away
with
a new
appreciation
for the
ranching heritage of this
country.
Stumble It!
