Joe Heim Quarter Horses, Inc.
I-35 North and FM 153
P.O. Box 100
Thackerville, Oklahoma 73458
(580) 276 - 5147
© 2006 Joe Heim Quarter Horses.
Web: Holly Reed Designs
Training
the Cutting Horse the tethe
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In my opinion, it takes the best part of two years to properly develop a Futurity prospect. Somewhere in the fourth month of training a two-year-old horse I can evaluate the colt's overall ability and interest in a cow. Horses, like people, develop their personalities and skills at their own pace but most follow the same learning curve and training can be monitored and adjusted as needed. Lessons are included for Amateur and Non-Pro riders when older horses are sent to my ranch for tune-ups or prior to showing.I strive to develop natural talent in a horse. I like to see a horse work a cow not because he's made to, but rather because he wants to work. The desire to work a cow is evident and the difference between a top horse and a fair horse. The first three things that I look for in an exceptional horse are cow sense, ability, and the willingness to try to work a cow. I think that "try" or courage in a horse is just as important as cow sense when evaluating a top horse. To me, a great horse is able to drive a cow out of the herd, nail her down with good stops, hard turns, and a lot of personality in between. A really great horse is prepared to make things happen instead of relying on having the stage set for him or her to win. The fine point that makes the difference between having a true cowhorse and a machine-made cutting horse is when the time comes, you can ride and depend on your horse to think for himself. A mechanical horse must be constantly cued. If a rider communicates the wrong signal, a properly trained cutting horse will disregard the rider, use his own judgment, and keep on working the cow correctly. A well-trained horse will anticipate a cow stopping, not turning. I don't want a horse to try to outrun a cow but instead to draw her to him. Then, he can outdo her by scooping her up in the turns that he has mastered. A horse can gain a full length on a cow by snapping hard over his hocks in a turn. When he comes out of the turns, I want him to be able to grab the ground and to be watching to see where the cow is going and where she will be declaring herself again so he can beat her at the next turn!I train a horse to take the offense on a slow cow by setting a "hole" or a trap for her and baiting her into doing what he wants her to do. Then, as the cow becomes brave and eventually bold enough to make a move, she will be caught in his trap. This is my kind of horse, one who can think on his own and who dares to be great and I look forward to breeding, training, and showing many more like this in my lifetime.
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