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What is the Sport of Cutting?
“The cutting horse evolved at a time when there were few fences and thousands of cattle grazed vast areas in the Southwest of the United States in the early 18OO’s. Cattlemen gathered large herds on open plains. Individual cows had to be separated or “cut” from the herd for branding, sending to market or driving to new sections of
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grazing. It was soon discovered that the job could be performed easily and efficiently by using specially trained horses called “cutting horses”.
The competitive nature of the cattlemen lead to the initiation of cutting horse competitions in the mid-19th century. In 1898, the first known contest for money was held at the Cowboy Reunion in Haskell, Texas. From this a whole industry has developed with cutting spreading to 22 countries throughout the world and individual stallions being valued in the millions.” Extract from NCHA website.
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“In cutting horse competitions, horse and rider have two and a half minutes to demonstrate their ability to cut cattle and prevent them from returning to the herd. Contestants usually separate two or three individual cows before time expires. The clock starts when the horse crosses an imaginary line approximately fifty feet in front of the herd.
The horse and rider quietly walk into the herd; the rider begins the process of selecting one cow to “cut” from the rest of the group. The rider carefully selects a cow and drives it forward from the herd.
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When the separation has been made, the rider must loosen or “drop” the reins and allow the horse to work independent of any guidance from the rider. The horse takes control of the contest and with lightning fast starts and turns, prevents the cow from returning to the herd.
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When the cow turns away or discontinues its effort to return to the herd, the rider may lift the reins, signalling the horse to “quit the cow”. The cow is allowed to return to the herd and the process of selecting a new cow begins.” Extract from NCHA website
Dayboro Cow Horse Club’s cutting practice, comprises an allocated time of 3 - 4 minutes per run in which to work with a herd of cattle. The aim is to use the time train your horse to practice cutting out beasts from the herd. Everybody is encouraged to take part and participation as herd persons and turn back riders ensures that there is plenty of encouragement for the novice rider as well as plenty of jeering for those more advanced.
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©2010 - Dayboro Cow Horse Club Inc.
Website created by J. Guest
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