Does Breeding Matter?

I have a good friend who is new to the horse world and very excited. He was looking for the "right horse" when someone told him that breeding does not matter when it comes to building a cow horse. Hmmm.

Every once in a while, I write something that I worry may offend someone. This is the first I have written with the full knowledge that some are going to be mad. At any rate, read on at your own risk.

I will come back to this in a little bit, but first, I would like to share a couple of examples.

COWBOYS: Some years ago I was working as a photojournalist. When the IGRA (International Gay Rodeo Association) held their first rodeo in Enumclaw, Washington, I was sent to document the event because it had raised some concerns and conflict in the community.

As I was passing though the main gate at the fairgrounds, I overheard the announcer in the arena. A few things he said really grabbed my attention. They were bull dogging and he was announcing one and two second times. Between each run, he would verbally bash the PRCA (Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association), stating that they had to form their own association because the PRCA was bigoted and closed minded.

Well, since these boys were marking times such as these, this I had to see. When I finally reached the arena, I had to do a double take. The steers were in the bucking chutes. The cowboys would slip down with the steer and take a strong hold on the steers head. When the chute swung open, the cowboy would throw the steer to the ground and the announcer would call something like "1.7 seconds and then have another go at the PRCA.".

Well, I had seen enough and started to leave when the announcer said "stick around for BULL RIDING!". Okay, I thought, I can hang for a few more minutes. The first bull came busting out of the chute. To my surprise, it was one of the little steers that had been thrown to the ground just moments before. I stayed and watched until I saw a cowboy get a little bit off center. He placed a foot on the ground and pushed himself back to the middle. He made the eight second buzzer... hurray!

If you were to line up a bunch of PRCA and IGRA cowboys in an arena, It would be difficult to tell one from the other. They just look too much alike but there are huge differences. You do the math.

HORSES: In my experience, showing Versatility Ranch Horses, I have seen several attempts to make cow horses out of a variety of equine breeds that are not normally associated with cattle work. In most cases, this is tantamount to making a silk purse from a sow's ear. Most common, in my country, are those that believe that gaited horses make the best cow horses. I once showed against and easily beat one such horse. This was a nice horse, but just lacked any real desire to work a cow. Later that year, this horse went to the appropriate breed association world show and came home a Versatility Ranch Horse champion. Go figure.

Like cowboys, you may look at a bunch of horses, of different breeds, standing in a pasture and not be able to tell the cow horses from the rest. Even so, there are real differences. Just because they look similar does not make them the same. Some will have cow and some never will.

This leaves us with the Quarter Horse and those breeds that have been heavily influenced by the AQHA. Even here, only some can be cow horses. In each of these recognized "cow horse" associations there are horses bred for speed, pleasure, halter, and cow. If you want a cow horse, stack the deck in your favor. Check out major futurities for the Reined Cow Horse and Cutting Horse associations. As much as you possibly can, make their blood lines match those of your next horse.

Now, for those who are angry, I am not suggesting that my opinions are fact. I have reported my own observations as I saw them. I am also aware that every breed association, and rodeo association for that matter, does produce an exceptional individual from time to time. It's just that I can start with a few aces up my sleeve if I start with a horse that has successful cow horses in his pedigree. You do the math!

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