Cattle Dog Competition Catching On

Cattle Dog Competition Catching On AG WORLD A new kind of cattle dog competition is showing up at rodeos and horse shows “Rodearing” tests the ability of dog horse and man to move cattle through an obstacle course “Rodearing is an alternative for folks who no longer participate in cutting competitions ” says Merle Newton Crystal Rose Cow Dog College “It requires special training for the dogs above and beyond regular cow dog competitions ” Rodearing originated with cowboys using dogs to circle and hold groups of cattle without the aide of a corral This allowed the cowboy to work them wherever the need according to Newton “In Rodearing competition we start with sorting and separating which runs counter to a cow dog’s instinct and training ” he explains “Their instinct is to gather and hold the cattle together ” Newton notes that cow dog handlers used to working on the ground may have to learn new tricks as well He offers training videos on picking a horse for rodearing and what a rodearing dog needs to know He also offers other online training videos Vol 36 No 5 on sorting and working cattle with a dog from horseback “People who are dog savvy may not be horse savvy but rodearing takes both skills ” he says Rodearing competition consists of the rider and dog riding into a herd in a sort pen and cutting out 3 to 5 cows This smaller group is then brought out into an open arena or field and put through a series of obstacles The team receives a point for each cow passing through an obstacle within the time limit; with the fastest time breaking a tie if two or more gather the same points in the allotted time “It’s really enjoyable to do and to watch ” says Newton Contact: FARM SHOW Followup Crystal Rose Cow Dog College 14200 Red Bank Rd Red Bluff Calif 96080 ph 530 529-3700; crcdc1@gmail com; www cowdogtrainingonline com

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