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Working cow horse

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Working cow horse
A man on a gray horse alongside a running cow, both turning
Highest governing body
  • National Reined Cow Horse Association
  • European Reined Cow Horse Association
Characteristics
Team membersno
Mixed-sexyes
Typecattle-herding competition
Presence
Country or region
  • North America
  • Europe
Olympicno
Paralympicno

Working cow horse or reined cow horse is a type of Western riding competition in which horse and rider are tested for ability to work cattle. It is organised by the National Reined Cow Horse Association in North America, and by the European Reined Cow Horse Association in Europe. Horses are judged on accuracy, timing, and responsiveness.

Competition

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See also: reining and cutting (sport)
Arabian horse competing

Reined cow horse events which are "open" to all breeds and held by the National Reined Cow Horse Association (NRCHA).[1] Working cow horse events are also held at breed specific shows, such as at an American Quarter Horse Association[2] or Arabian Horse Association show,[3] The general rules between various organizations are usually similar to the NRCHA in that the horse is required to perform two or three different sorts of work in one or two sessions. One session consists of reining work, where a reining pattern is performed.[1] This is often referred to as the "dry work."[4] The other is the cow work, where a single cow is released into the arena and the horse is asked to first hold the cow at one end of the arena (known as "boxing") then run the horse along the rail of the arena, turning it back without the aid of the fence (known as "fencing"). Lastly, the horse maneuvers the cow into the center of the arena and cause the cow to circle in a tight circle in each direction (known as "circling"). All this must be accomplished before the cow is exhausted. In three event competition, a "Herd Work" session is also included. The herd work is similar to cutting where a single cow is "cut" from a herd of cattle and prevented from returning to the herd by the intervention of the horse and rider. Herd work is most often included in three-year-old futurity and four- and five-year-old derby classes. Herd work is also included in a "Bridle Spectacular" class.[4][5] (The Arabian Horse Association omits the reining work in its breed shows.[3]) The horse is judged on the ability to control the cow, as well as speed, balance, responsiveness to the rider.[4]

A young horse competing in a snaffle bit

Notes

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  1. ^ a b National Reined Cow Horse Association Rules 19.2 Judging Reined Work accessed on October 31, 2007
  2. ^ AQHA Show Classes accessed on October 31, 2007
  3. ^ a b Andrew "Looking for an Adrenalin Rush?" Modern Arabian Horse Oct/Nov 2007 p. 128-135
  4. ^ a b c Strickland Competing in Western Shows & Events p. 71-73
  5. ^ National Reined Cow Horse Association Rules 19.3 Judging Cow Work accessed on October 31, 2007

References

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  • Andrew, Chandra "Looking for an Adrenalin Rush?" Modern Arabian Horse Oct/Nov 2007 p. 128-135
  • AQHA Show Classes accessed on October 31, 2007
  • National Reined Cow Horse Association Rules 19.2 Judging Reined Work accessed on October 31, 2007
  • National Reined Cow Horse Association Rules 19.3 Judging Cow Work accessed on October 31, 2007
  • Strickland, Charlene Competing in Western Shows & Events Storey Books, Pownal VT 1998 ISBN 1-58017-031-5
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