Teach me!

I know the basic stuff, like get cows to pen in shortest amount of time. But I really don't know the rules. (or the tricks) And I want to learn. I have been wanting to take this up as a weekend hobby, and now that my bestie has a new mare to use we can start hauling. Tell me everything!

To start off, you need a good cow horse that knows what their doing.

Actually... a good broke horse of any breed that will do what you ask!
The rider is the one who needs to be able to read the cattle!
Go to a penning and enter a draw pot! That's the best place for a beginner to learn. Most of the experience riders will be happy to run with you and help you out!

I'm kinda scared to go alone. I gotta ole mare that aint scared of cows. We allways bug them in the pasture lol.

I guess you could use any kind of horse, but it is always better if your horse has a little cow sense. If the horse isn't cowy it may just become confused at what your doing. It is very important to read the cows. Is this penning with cutting involved, sorting, or just pulling the cow out of the heard and bringing it to the pen? I could be more help with explaining things :)

Penning.......In my experience, a well broke horse you don't really have to think about being under you is the best!
I have seen ex-cutters and ex-rope horses get really confused! The cutters want to always face the cattle and a rope horse has a hard time passing and turning a cow do to previous training!
A "cow" bred horse is preferred by most, but not necessary!
As for learning....just get out there and see what position you would be best at, hold back, going into the herd, the hole, wing, pusher and so on!
There are many books and videos or you could just go watch and ask questions!
A forum is a great place for tips and opinions, but somethings you got to learn in the "real world"

To get the cows moving faster, you can yell at them too. A tip I will give to also, it to try not to bring the whole heard with you when going for one cow.