FAQ

We Have added an FAQ page. We thought might be of interest to people not familiar with cutting

How did cutting start?
In the west when the herds contained various owners’ cattle, the top hands and their best horses were used to separate the cattle. This technique was also used to separate cattle requiring doctoring. It became a competitive sport in the 1940’s.

At a show how does the run start??
The 2 1/2 minute run starts upon crossing the time line between the herd and the judge’s stand. After entering the herd from either side the rider moves some of the cattle towards the center of the working area and separates one cow. The rider can use his reins to make the cut but once there is only one cow in front of the horse the rider must lower his hand to release the horse. Ideally the cow and horse are facing one another near the center of the arena and the dance begins.

Is there a specific cow that the rider must choose??
How does the rider decide what cow to choose??
The rider can choose any cow, but is required to make one deep cut demonstrating the horse’s ability to work calmly out of the herd. Once he has made a specific move on one cow he must cut that cow to avoid a penalty.
An advanced rider studies the cows before entering the herd to select a cow to work best for his horse; maybe a calm fresh one (not worked before) that will respect (honor) the horse. It is often just a calculated guess. Some riders may choose a cow that “shapes up” in a position from the herd or at the end of a flow making it easier to cut. The final approach is the “last cow standing” where the cow is the only one in front of the horse. With any cut the rider wants the horse to be in control, in the center of the arena (working area), as the run continues.
Making a good cut is critical to a good run. When making the cut the rider has his maximum control of the run. He wants to maintain control throughout the run until he can make a legal quit.
When selecting a cow the rider may consider a few variables. With fresh cows (not previously worked) the rider may watch as the cattle are being settled before the class and watch how they respond to the horse settling (relaxing) them.
The rider wants to choose cattle to best show their horse’s ability. Various cattle breeds work and respond differently when worked. Some work more relaxed and some more jittery or nervous than others. The way a cow has worked may be an indication of what to expect if it is worked again A cow that got by a horse may try the same successful move again. If one performed well, it may still be good for another run and be a good pick. A rider should try to avoid a cow with physical concerns such as a bad eye.
According to all time great, Buster Welch, “It is better to cut a bad cow good than a good cow bad”.

How many cows does the rider cut during his run??
A rider will typically work 2 or 3 cows. Working time is part of the judge’s scoring so the rider wants to work a cow long enough to show the horse’s ability. However a cow worked too long can get irritated and get past the horse resulting in a major penalty (scoring will be covered separately). A rider should not to be in the process of making a cut when time runs out (dying in the herd). Time management is critical to a good run.

When can a rider quit a cow??
A rider can quit a cow without a penalty under 4 circumstances
1) The cow is facing away from the horse. Timing on this quit can be critical before the cow turns to face the horse.
2) The cow is standing still, all four feet are on the ground and not moving
3) The cow is beyond the time line and behind the 2-turnback men (explained below).
4) The 2 ½ minute time expired
To quit the cow the rider will usually place his free hand on the horse’s withers and lift his rein hand to signal the horse to quit the cow

Is the rider allowed to cue his horse?? Does the horse do this on his own?
Once a cow has been cut and the rider puts his hand down he cannot use the reins without a penalty until legally quitting the cow. While it often appears the horse is doing everything on its own, the rider can actually interfere or assist the horse through their riding and cueing. The rider can legally use his legs at or behind the girth and offer subtle cues by the way he sits and shifts his weight. The rider’s seat in the saddle can assist the horse in stopping or staying in proper position. Sitting incorrectly on the horse can adversely affect his balance and performance. The rider’s cues can enhance or fine-tune the horse’s movements.
The horse must have the instinct and training to move with the cow, get to its head and control it (working offensively). If a horse has to wait for a rider’s cue it will probably be behind the cow and not in control. The desired firing order of a move is first cow, then horse, and last rider.

Who are the other people there in the arena while the rider is showing ??
The rider gets help from 4 people: One in each of the rear corners (herdholders) assisting in moving the herd as the rider is making a cut and keeping the herd in place during the working time, and two turnback men located between the rider and the judge’s stand. They assist keeping the cow on the proper working line and from continually running to the rear of the arena. It is the cutter’s responsibility to keep the horse in control and in position. The rider’s helpers can offer limited assistance.

How is the scoring??
The NCHA has very detailed rules regarding the scoring of a run. While some of the judging is subjective there are some basic rules. The scores range from an ideal 80 (almost never achieved) to 60 (assuming the rider works until the final buzzer). Typically when a rider enters the arena he has a 70 and can either improve it or decrease it with his performance.
Some of the major penalties which remove 5 points from the rider’s score per occurrence are:
1) Failure to make a cut (bringing a group of cattle out and not getting one cut
2) Loss of a cow back to the herd once it has been cut
3) Horse Quits a cow ( the horse just quits working inappropriately)
4) Switching to another cow after making the move to cut a specific cow
The 3 point penalties are:
1) A hot quit, quitting a cow not in a legal manner, such as if the cow is still moving,or not faced away, or the rider is not in control of the cow
2) The horse and rider have scattered the herd. After the cut has been made the horse causes other cattle from the herd to come out and scatter into the arena
3) The rider uses his second hand on the reins. The reins can be adjusted before entering the herd to make a cut but not once you are working or driving the cattle
4) Using a leg in front of the girth, i.e. in the shoulder
5) The horse tries to bite or paw at the cow
6) Failure to make a deep cut on one of the cuts (as described above)
7) The cow takes the horse and rider to the rear fence (the fence behind the herd) and the fence turns the cow’s direction.
There are minor 1 point penalties:
1) A miss, the cow makes a move and the horse is late getting in a position of control but did not lose the cow
2) Reining or a visible cue of the horse, if the rider has put his hand down to start the run and then lifts it, or if he pulls on the reins to stop his horse
3) Noise or yelling being used at the cow by the rider, it is not a penalty when the help makes noise trying to move the herd
4) Use of a toe or stirrup on the shoulder
5) Holding the reins up for too long after the other cows have cleared
6) Working out of position, in this case the horse and cow are not working in a straight line in relation to the back fence

What are the various classes??
The classes at a cutting show are divided up by age of the horse, monies earned by the horse or rider, status of the rider (amateur, non pro or pro and youth). There are a wide variety of classes to keep competition on a level playing field.

What are the associations??
There is a national association (the NCHA) and various local affiliates (including ours The Ohio Cutting Horse Association). We have members from many states it is not limited to Ohio residents. See the links on our www.OCHA-online.com site.