Training for the Canadian Cutting Horse with cattle should begin in the middle of the year that they are two years old. The horse will need to be trained intensively for up to 18 months before they are entered into a competition. After this period of intensive training, they will be ready for their first official competition around the end of their 3rd year. The horse will need to spend six days each week with their trainer. This will help to form an intimate relationship between the trainer and the horse that will foster a proper and successful training experience.
The Canadian Cutting Horse will need to spend several hours each day in training. The horse will need to wear a saddle that is tied to a mechanical walker or an arena fence. The trainer will need to spend at least one hour per day riding the horse. The horse will need to be ridden at a walk, trot and a lope. It will need to learn to be ridden and also learn how to stop. It will need to learn to master the art of turning back over its hind limbs.
Although the Canadian Cutting Horse has an instinctive sense for cutting cattle, it will need to spend at least 30 minutes each day training to cut cattle in the arena. The horse will need to learn positioning with the cattle. With a concerted effort on the part of the trainer, the horse's instinctive cow sense will be further developed.
The Canadian Cutting Horse that is successful and progresses as a three year old will need to continue this intensive training well into their fifth year. It is quite common for the Canadian Cutting Horse to compete in competition through the middle of their teenage years. There are even some who will compete through their late teenage years.
After the Canadian Cutting Horse reaches its fifth year, it will only need to be exercised daily for fitness reasons. Some horses will need to be worked with cattle as little as one time per week. However, there are some who will need to be worked with cattle as often as three times per week. The frequency will depend on the horse and the ability it has in cattle work.
How often the Canadian Cutting Horse is shown will depend on its use. The typical Canadian Cutting Horse that is used for recreation is usually shown one or possibly two weekends per month. However, if the horse is competing for an association's top annual award, it will probably average two cuttings per week.
The Canadian Cutting Horse will be judged on its athletic conformation and balance. It is also desirable that the horse has low knees and hocks. These horses make a living out of being able to stop suddenly and then quickly depart in the opposite direction, all while looking good. With proper training, the horse will be in top physical condition and will perform stops and directional changes with ease.
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