ALMOST BEEKEEPING - RELATED TOPICS > OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES FORUM

Not Just cowboys; Cowgirls can do it too!

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Ben Framed:
Bees-in-the-boo
"I made sure to train up my horses to side pass (stepping sideways 90degrees from forward direction) early on so that opening gates never require a dismount."

I do too. It's a very valuable and important part of training in my opinion. Not only for gate opening but other important reasons as well. In my opinion a colt is not fully trainied if it has not been taught to side pass.

Kathyp:

--- Quote ---In my opinion a colt is not fully trainied if it has not been taught to side pass.
--- End quote ---

Because we ride in the mountains a lot, there are some other things I found useful.  Among them, teaching the horse to drag.  I usually start with something light weight like a tarp.  the tarp is a combo bomb proofing and dragging 101 + if they get nuts about it, they don't get hurt.  I always double lead rope them when I start using a standard lead rope and lunge line AFTER they are already pretty bomb proof.   :grin:  By the time they are done, they can drag heavy things like soggy 4X4s/logs forward and backward and hopefully they are smart enough to learn not to get tangled in the line as they switch...although I have had some stupid horses that never quite got it! 

Ben Framed:
All good things for a horse to know Kathy for added safety for the horse and rider.  I make my own lead lines from older roping ropes. I un-twist them and then braid them back with a three-strain braid including a forged steel snap braided into this. (the kind of forged safety snaps used for fall protection such as on platform lifts etc, which are OSHA approved for fall protection in high rise construction etc.). I have found this type braid not only serves the desired purpose well but is easier to hang on to if a situation arrises where hanging onto is required. I have 'never' had a colt or horse break one of these home made lines under any circumstances.. I also enjoy using one of these with added length, about 18 feet, for other training purposes and uses with the horses.

Phillip

Ben Framed:
My grandaddy would not call a good cattleman a cowboy. If a city slicker was to arrive wanting a job saying, I want to be a Cowboy, he would tell them. "We don't not need cow-boys" "we need good cow-hands". Through the years, he helped transform many 'cowboys' into good cattle-'men'.


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Michael Bush:
>Also to be mounted from either side and worked from either side. 

American Indians considered it essential that you could mount from either side.  In a sudden attack you need to be able to just jump on without running around the horse.  Also that they could be ridden bareback so if you need a horse in a hurry, you just jump on.  Also that they could be directed using only your knees so you have your hands free to shoot a bow or a gun, often from under the horse's neck.

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