By employing the bovine nose as a target, Phillip Ralls puts timing into every turn.

“I think everybody has to interpret position for themselves,” Ralls said. “But, I feel if you have a target, an idea of what being in time with the cow is, then you’re ready to go right, left and stay balanced right in the middle of that cow. Timing is mirroring the cow’s move all the way through that turn – not ahead of him, not behind him.”

Nose-to-nose
Ralls’ training operation in Paso Robles, Calif., is home to mainly cutting and cow horses. His Snaffle Bit Futurity veterans often crossover into the cutting pen as 4-year-olds, between major limited-age cow horse events. Because his theory – with respect to positioning on the cow – holds true in both disciplines, his training process needn’t change.

“It doesn’t matter if I’m cutting, going down the fence or working in the herd at a cow horse event,” Ralls said. “With that solid foundation and maintaining a good position, it makes it easier to cross my horses back and forth.”

Consistently being nose-to-nose with a cow guarantees the horse can hold his position during any maneuver.

Transitioning from cow horse to straight cutting is nearly seamless, according to Ralls. The main difference is the elimination of using his hands when cutting, which forces him to use his feet more. On every horse, Ralls strives to reach the point where he does not have to dictate with his hands. The only exception would be turning a cow horse on the fence. He will rate them around the corner and help them stay in position until it is time to turn the cow. Once it is time to turn, he wants his horse to return to his comfort zone at the nose.

There has always been a lot of discussion as to where a horse needs to be when traveling across the cutting or herd work pen with a cow. The answer often changes depending on the type of cattle being worked. One step can make a huge difference between working different types of cattle.

“In California, we show on a lot of Mexican steers that have a tendency to be really close, in your face, and will get right up under your horse’s neck,” Ralls said. “Your horse has to be really smart and really read a cow well in order to stay in an offensive position. A lot of the native cattle will maintain a little more distance from you, especially heifers. They might be a little bit quicker and a little faster, but it is a different style of working.”

Ralls suggested that horses staying nose-to-nose with cattle are less likely to be fooled by wily bovines. ...

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