Cutting Horse

Cutting Horse. A Cowboy’s Invaluable Tool. A cutting horse is a stock horse, typically an American Quarter Horse, bred and trained for cutting.The term "cutting" in ranch terminology is the ability of a horse and rider to separate a single cow from a herd of cattle and prevent it from a herd of cattle and prevent it from getting back to the herd. , , By late 19th century, cattle trading was an industry; thereby making cutting horses an indispensable tool of the trade for ranch hands. Large herds of cattle grazed freely on the open ranges, and any strays that wandered off would typically join the herds of other cattle ranchers. As a result, cattle roundups became an annual or semi-annual routine. Cowhands kept a remuda of horses (a herd of horses that ranch hands select their mounts from) whenever they traveled, with some horses having specialized skills to ensure they had the right horse for assorted herding jobs. Horses that showed a unique awareness of cattle, a kind of wariness with ears perked and eyes focused on the herd, were the elite members of the remuda. Horses with this "cow sense" helped separate one or more cows from a herd, allowing cowboys to finish their work quicker and easier. These horses were considered the best cutting horses and crucial for the work of the cowboy. Ranch hands would hold informal competitions to see who had the best horse. , , Cutting horses on today's ranch are still considered a cowboy's invaluable tool. The cutting horses are quick, agile, have a great instinct for how cows behave and assist their riders with the cattleman's duties. Through the intense training and working with the ranch herd, the cowboy and horse build a strong bond of loyalty and respect. They are the pride of a cowboy.