Be a Better Horseman - Martin Black

Tracking Cattle

For the first lessons, select a cow that moves away as your horse approaches, but isn’t too flighty. If you are on a young horse that hasn’t had any exposure to cattle, guide the horse toward the cow. Any time he’s pointed in the cow’s direction, relax your rein and leg pressure, so your horse feels relief. If he turns away from the cow, direct him a little more intently and use leg pressure. Release that pressure when he moves toward the cow. 

At this point, you’re not asking your horse to track the cow, just to make the connection that the cow offers him the same feelings of comfort and security that his mother did, and that moving away from the cow results in his discomfort. Once your horse makes this association, he’s tracking a cow on his own.

- Martin Black

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