Riding colts.

[EJ]

The use of spurs is just another tool you can have as useing different bits. Cues with spurs are neither painful or frighting if used right. I like short shank small rowels. But that`s all in preference.

[Big Muddy rancher]

I think her concern with using spurs is if they jump or crow hop she might dig in to much and cause more problems. I try not to push to much as she is rebuilding her confidence after recovering from a broken pelvis last year. In the heat of the moment during a great team penning run her mare came over backwards. It sort of just happened. She had come to the hole slid to a stop. Then she immediatly had to back up. The mares hind feet were well under her a and her front end came in motionand her back end seemed locked up. Over she went with the saddle hitting her on the hip. Six months later the doctor let her ride again.

[S.S.A.P.]

I think I have to agree with BMR's daughter. I have short legs and bad knees - spurs usually cause me more grief than give on young horses plus I'm not a bronc rider!! I don't mind using spurs on an older horse once in a while. I've also learned the hard way to always roll my heel when 'spurless'. Things can sure happen hard and fast if you forget and "kick" when the spurs are on.

My two cents worth about getting her horse to move out. From the ground with lead in one hand direct your horse ahead (or a turn) while bumping his elbow with the stirrup. Keep bumping (have patience) until he steps, accept any step but don't try to keep him moving with the lead or continued bumps - his reward for doing it right is to stop asking. If he stops just bump his elbow with the stirrup again. Work both sides. I like to give them a second or two to think about it after they've been successful a time or two. When he is moving out change the bump to behind the front cinch, both sides worked again. Give the horse a chance to move out with a lighter bump first, progressively firmer as needed. The hand on the lead isn't to pull him forward, it's a suggestion of direction - a little help! The knuckles or thumbs will work (behind the cinch) too, but more for freeing up the hindquarter and moving sideways. I think probably the most important thing is to reward any step or movement by stopping the pressure (bumping) which is why the trainers tell us to not try to keep them going - not until they have the basics figured out - squeezes and bumps to disengage the back end. Hope things work out with the gelding(s) and her.

[MoodyMare]

May I ask what roper reins are? (geez i am unintellecutal or what? lol)

[rancher]

It is one continuous rein that is attached to the bit on both sides, instead of a split rein or two reins.

[Denny]

[katrina]

My suggestion would be to slap my hand on my leg and push aginst my saddle with my thieghs, kinda incourage forward motion. I would be pretty nervouse if they don't try and move out. Usually my experiance if they don't move out they will buck.. Soap has a good suggestion too. I have ridden alot of horses snugged up to another..

[Faster horses]

Good for you Denny, you got that out of the way. Will be easier from now on.

My husbands grandfather had a truly great ranch horse. Everyone talked about her. There were 6 grandsons and a couple of them tried using her for arena roping. No go. She absolutely hated it.

We had another horse we got from Kidd Cattle Co. from Three Forks, Mt. Started by Buck Brannaman when he worked there. This was a good horse. A friend used him on a big ranch doctoring calves. That horse went at those calves like he was killing snakes. The best horse on the whole ranch for roping and doctoring calves. We started team roping on him. He was really broke good, and we went at it real easy. Lots of scoring, slow cattle, the whole bit. He hated it. When you walked back up the arena after taking your rope off a steer, he would be looking out of the arena the whole time, wishing he was someplace else. He then started fouling you. He wasn't mean, just didn't want to be there. We'd get one of his tricks figured out and he'd throw another your way. We finally gave up. He should have made a grand rope horse, had everything it takes, but the right mind.

So he lived his life happily, as a ranch horse.