Ranch-Horse Versatility

Ranch-Horse Versatility
Author: Mike Major
Publisher: Morris Communications Corp
Total Pages: 227
Release: 2011-05-17
Genre: Sports & Recreation
ISBN: 0762792825

Maybe you compete in versatility ranch-horse events or plan to meet that challenge and want to take advantage of every opportunity to polish your performance. Perhaps cattle work can put a fresh perspective on your riding program, or you simply want a handy, responsive horse, no matter what your day’s ride might bring. Whatever your interest in Ranch-Horse Versatility, Colorado horseman Mike Major is uniquely qualified to provide the information to take your horse program to the next level. A rancher by profession and a competitor by choice, Major has developed the horsemanship expertise to be successful in both venues, in large part because he draws no real distinction between his show horses and ranch horses. A Major Cattle Company horse might well work on the ranch today and compete in the arena tomorrow, a dual-purpose approach that has proven successful. Major and his stallion, Smart Whiskey Doc, have claimed multiple national titles—American Quarter Horse Association 2006 Bayer Select Working Cow Horse World Champion, World’s Greatest Versatility Horse at the National Versatility Ranch Horse Association 2008 and 2009 National Finals, and AQHA 2009 and 2010 Versatility Ranch Horse Open World Champion. Plus, in 2010 Major rode Black Hope Stik, a daughter of Smart Whiskey Doc, to become the inaugural Battle in the Saddle Ranch Remuda Champion and the first Project Cowboy Champion. American stock-horse associations were founded on the backs of such talented horses, and versatility competition has brought a renewed appreciation for these all-around athletes. In his book, Major shares how he develops such responsive, maneuverable horses. His understanding, how-to tips and thoughtful insights in Ranch-Horse Versatility can help you sharpen your skills to ride effectively, compete successfully and show your horse to advantage.

101 Ranch Horse Tips

101 Ranch Horse Tips
Author: Patrick Hooks
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield
Total Pages: 241
Release: 2006-05-01
Genre: Sports & Recreation
ISBN: 146174900X

A well-trained, responsive, and intelligent working cow horse is more than just a pleasure to ride or watch in action; such an animal is an integral part--a prized employee, if you will--of a ranch's workforce. How to find and then educate the horse to work cattle in pens and on the range, to negotiate a variety of terrains, and perform all the other tasks it will be asked to do (under a variety of often adverse conditions) is the subject of this handy guide. For example: Being able to open a gate from horseback is a mandatory job for any cowboy. A good place to introduce the young horse to this experience is by using a gate set up as part of an obstacle course. It is desirable and safer if the gate can swing freely and is without any attachments. Start by simply walking your horse through the gate when it's open. Reaching down and gently swinging the gate as you pass through it is the next step. If your horse is a little spooked by your reaching down, be aware that horses are naturally afraid of tight places. Once your horse can pass through an open gate, then attempt to open a closed gate. Be sure your horse fully understands your hand and leg cues before attempting this step, because he must be able to move off your leg to stand next to the fence, move toward the fence as it swings open to let you pass through, and then move around so you can close it. Written by an experienced rancher and horse trainer, 101 Ranch Horse Tips will show you how to start a young horse or improve an older one with techniques that can apply to performance and enjoyment on or beyond the cattle ranch.

Ranch Horsemanship

Ranch Horsemanship
Author: Curt Pate
Publisher: Western Horseman Books
Total Pages: 0
Release: 2004
Genre: Sports & Recreation
ISBN: 9780911647655

This books tells how almost any rider of almost any level of expertise can adapt ranch-horse-training techniques to help his or her mount become a safer, more enjoyable ride. Pate's step-by-step methods offer a hands-on and in-your-own time approach well-suited for most recreational riders. Each chapter includes do-it-yourself ideas appropriate for the small-acreage horse owner.

Life Lessons from a Ranch Horse

Life Lessons from a Ranch Horse
Author: Mark Rashid
Publisher: Skyhorse Publishing, Inc.
Total Pages: 224
Release: 2011-09-01
Genre: Pets
ISBN: 1628730978

In this heartwarming and instructive book of horsemanship, highly-respected horse trainer Mark Rashid shares what he learned from a very special, and very challenging, horse. Through a lot of hard work, Mark comes to understand the potential for powerful communication that exists when two beings take the time to understand each other. Although his realizations are inspired by work with horses, readers will discover that Rashid’s six guidelines for interaction can improve our relationships with the people in our lives as well. In this second edition of the beloved title, with a new brand-new afterword, Rashid invites us to enjoy his all-new reflections on the lessons learned from a life spent with horses.

The Horse is My Teacher

The Horse is My Teacher
Author: Van Hargis
Publisher: Trafalgar Square Books
Total Pages: 256
Release: 2022-11-22
Genre: Sports & Recreation
ISBN: 1570769915

Stories from a rural working life that teach us how to be better horsemen—and better people. Van Hargis grew up in the saddle on an East Texas ranch, training his first horse at age 12 and eventually making a living starting cutting and reining colts, many of which would leave his hands to become champions. Naturally outgoing (labeled a “talker” by teachers in grade school), Hargis shared stories and lessons from his work with horses early on. Here, in his first book, he reaches out to readers with a collection of down-to-earth, highly relatable tales—experiences that, over the years, have impacted his own horsemanship and life in significant ways. Readers absorb fundamental knowledge of horses skillfully embedded in genuine anecdotes straight off the ranch: How Grandma's cross-stitch laid the groundwork for more patience when starting colts and trailer loading. How a daughter's temper tantrum helped perfect timing of the release of pressure. How the way Mom worked the gate when sorting cattle taught you to look for what the horse really wanted to achieve. How playing on championship football teams provided the understanding of true partnership between rider and horse. With easy-to-remember quotes to anchor what readers learn and practical tools that can be used in the arena or on the trail, by Western or English riders, The Horse Is My Teacher imparts the principles of great horsemanship while also inspiring each of us to apply those same principles to further our own personal growth and success.

A Good Horse

A Good Horse
Author: Jane Smiley
Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers
Total Pages: 222
Release: 2010-10-26
Genre: Juvenile Fiction
ISBN: 0375894152

When eighth grader Abby Lovitt looks out at those pure-gold rolling hills, she knows there’s no place she’d rather be than her family’s ranch—even with all the hard work of tending to nine horses. But some chores are no work at all, like grooming young Jack. At eight months, his rough foal coat has shed out, leaving a smooth, rich silk, like chocolate. As for Black George, such a good horse, it turns out he’s a natural jumper. When he and Abby clear four feet easy as pie, heads start to turn at the ring—buyers’ heads—and Abby knows Daddy won’t turn down a good offer. Then a letter arrives from a private investigator, and suddenly Abby stands to lose not one horse but two. The letter states that Jack’s mare may have been sold to the Lovitts as stolen goods. A mystery unfolds, more surprising than Abby could ever expect. Will she lose her beloved Jack to his rightful owners? Pulitzer Prize winner Jane Smiley raises horses of her own, and her affection and expertise shine through in this inviting horse novel for young readers, set in 1960s California horse country and featuring characters from The Georges and the Jewels.

Evidence-Based Horsemanship

Evidence-Based Horsemanship
Author: Stephen Peters
Publisher:
Total Pages: 122
Release: 2012-02
Genre: Pets
ISBN: 9781600476853

Most horsemen agree that timing, feel, and balance are the holy trinity of horsemanship. The balance is brilliant: scientific facts and the empirical evidence to support those facts assembled by two highly respected professionals in their respective disciplines.

Horse Sense for People

Horse Sense for People
Author: Monty Roberts
Publisher: Penguin
Total Pages: 203
Release: 2002-05-28
Genre: Psychology
ISBN: 1101128372

From the author of the #1 bestseller The Man Who Listens to Horses, a book for all of us seeking to strengthen our human relationships "Monty Roberts will make you marvel."—The New York Times Book Review In The Man Who Listens to Horses, Monty Roberts revealed the depth of communication possible between human and horse. Touching the hearts of more than four million readers worldwide, that memoir—which spent more than a year at the top of The New York Times bestseller list—described his discovery of the "language" of horses and the dramatic effectiveness of removing violence from their training. Now, the world's most famous horse gentler demonstrates how his revolutionary Join-Up technique can be used not just for horses, but as a model for how to strengthen human relationships. With vivid, often deeply moving anecdotes, Roberts shows how the lessons learned from the thousands of horses he has known can provide effective guidelines for improving the quality of our communication with one another—from learning to "read" each other effectively, to creative fear-free environments, and, most importantly, teaching belief in the power of gentleness and trust.

Life Lessons from a Ranch Horse

Life Lessons from a Ranch Horse
Author: Mark Rashid
Publisher: Skyhorse
Total Pages: 208
Release: 2020-04-07
Genre: Pets
ISBN: 9781510750906

Learn the underlying principles of speaking both “horse” and “human” from an internationally acclaimed horseman. Life Lessons from a Ranch Horse describes celebrated horse trainer Mark Rashid’s experiences with one special—and especially challenging—horse named Buck. Mark finds that Buck’s unique personality teaches him a wealth of information about how to build a strong relationship with what may initially seem like a difficult horse. During his time with Buck, Mark not only trains Buck but also observes how Buck “trains” other horses in order to maintain a stable and respectful group. Mark comes to understand that there are six underlying principles to both Buck and Mark’s most successful horse training techniques: non-confrontation, planning ahead, patience, persistence, consistency, and “fix it and move on.” The second half of the book is devoted to demonstrating how horse owners can apply the six principles to their own experiences in horse training. Mark Rashid is unique among writers of horse training books for his skill at teaching trainers to lead by example rather than by force, using clear and consistent methods. In the afterword, Mark Rashid reflects on what he has learned since first writing about Buck, and how Buck’s life allowed Mark to dramatically improve his own emotional and physical well-being. Life Lessons from a Ranch Horse is essential reading for all compassionate horse owners who care about cultivating a mutually respectful and satisfying relationship with their horses.

The Art of Liberty Training for Horses

The Art of Liberty Training for Horses
Author: Jonathan Field
Publisher: Trafalgar Square Books
Total Pages: 242
Release: 2020-01-20
Genre: Sports & Recreation
ISBN: 157076980X

Horse trainer Jonathan Field has made a name for himself with his unique ability to give people simple, understandable, doable steps that lead to working with a horse “at liberty” in a safe and progressive manner. True engagement with a horse at liberty isn’t just about removing tack and stepping outside the arena—it’s about connection, trust, and communication through movement. Enrich your relationship with your horse, improve your “feel,” and teach your horse to respond to the subtlest of cues; no matter your discipline, whether you compete or ride for pleasure, liberty training can change the way you interact with horses forever.