Too tall to work cattle?

I took a look at the pedigree, and certainly looks like the potential to be cowy, especially on the sire's side. You won't really know until you start working cattle, but even a less "cowy" horse can learn.

So, is starting the horse part of the program?

They would like the horse to know the bare basics with approximately 10 rides on them. They want them to know walk, trot and possibly some canter. The rest will be learned in the program.

The foundation AQHA horse is not a tall horse. Very stout and very bull dog like in build.

I show year round in cattle events. Not many tall horses.

I have found the conditions/terrain dictate what style of horse is used on ranches. The short stocky old school quarter horses seemed very popular in east Texas where the places are smaller because they can run a lot more cattle on less ground. No need to trot 30 miles a day. Whereas on the desert where you need more ground to run a pair a leggier horse(but still big boned) is desired.

I agree that in the showpen a shorter horse is what you see.

I do agree with that, but I'm not looking for something to show. I'm looking for something that will stand up to hard work. I know that both smaller and larger horses are capable of that, I just wanted some opinions.

I would look at conformation more than height (depending on your own size, of course). I think a shorter horse with good conformation, good bone, and good feet would likely hold up just fine. A taller horse with the same characteristics should be fine for ranch work, too.

I had an uncle who used Arabian and Arabian crosses for heavy ranch work. Thoses horses covered a lot of miles, and even the small ones held up just fine. My uncle was quite slim, though. He also had some tall Thoroughbreds (and TB-Arabians). The tall horses were certainly agile enough for ranch work, and they were great for jumping, too! He didn't have a QH on the place.

So I wouldn't sweat height too much. If you can watch your prospective horse playing in the pasture, that will give you an idea of how agile it is.

Thanks! :)
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Did you get your big boy? He sure is a big stocky horse which I love :)

Java - you will love VTown! I took aht and had my one horse up there for a year.
My sister took rf rider. She loved it. The horses need to be a good size to handle the work. Skip I think is a bit over 15.2hh. He handled the program well, but consider hauling another horse up there. Horses go lame and get hurt especially being housed in the outdoor pens together, and you will be down in that arena at least 4 hrs out of your school day. You want something to be able to ride if the worst happens! (Though I am sure someone would lend you one if something happened)

Nice boy, I am sure they will like him. Is Hoffman still in charge of the program?

And just to put everything in perspective, our two main rope horses are 16 and 16.2hh. I have a 14.3hh mare that is my pride and joy and she is by far quicker and cattier then the two big boys, but no way in heck would I daly her to one of our many cows that outweigh her by 500 lbs.

My sister is currently working in a feedlot. She rides her boys everyday. The program will make a heck of a hand out of you and your horse. Also good quality rope saddle and tack - you will want both! Oh and about the whole 10 rides thing. Skip was very green, about 30 days behind the rest of the horses . He totally made up fornit in the end, but consider having a good 30 days put on him. Not saying you have to, but trust me, that arena rail hurts! Your going to get bucked off during those 8 months a few times, but less is better. I honestly wish that I hadnt listened to my career counseller and waited the 4 months to see if they were going to run rf rider that year. I picked the safe route and took my AHT. Never went back to take the other course, many ways I wish I had if only for being a better hand with a rope. I had started a bit in college in the ranch horse club ( must join btw) but never really picked it up again till the year before my old guy went lame... sorry fornthe ramble.
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