BattleGround to Breaking Ground – Working Cow Horse Workshop

Friday–Saturday, October 9–10, 2026

Thomas Ranch 10365 Summer Lane Anderson, TX 77830

Space is limited: the first 10 Active-Duty Military and Veteran applicants are eligible for a $362 stipend. Must bring proof of status.

Registration Link: https://agriliferegister.tamu.edu/agec-ev-060

Registration

Mounted Rider Registration

· Registration Fee: $75

· Limited to 15 rider participants

· Participants must provide their own horse and transportation to and from the ranch each day.

Observer Registration

· Registration Fee: $40

· Limited to 15 observer participants

· No horse is required. Observers will participate in discussions and demonstrations while watching all mounted instruction and cattle-working exercises.

The Working Cow Horse Hands-On Learning Workshop is a two-day immersive training experience designed for proficient riders and suitable horses that are ready to develop practical cattle-working skills while improving ranch horsemanship. Led by Matt Nichols, Ranch Manager at the Texas A&M Thomas Ranch, participants will receive hands-on instruction focused on the techniques and stockmanship principles used in everyday ranch cattle operations.

Participants will learn how horses and cattle interact, how to safely position a horse to influence cattle movement, and how to apply pressure-and-release principles to effectively gather, sort, move, and control livestock.

Through a combination of discussions, mounted demonstrations, and hands-on exercises, riders will gain a deeper understanding of cattle behavior, flight zones, points of balance, and low-stress livestock handling techniques. Participants will practice fundamental working cow horse skills including reading cattle movement, maintaining proper position, boxing cattle, gathering cattle from

pasture, sorting cattle, moving cattle through gates, and working as part of a team in real-world ranching scenarios.

This workshop emphasizes safety, stockmanship, livestock handling fundamentals, and practical ranch applications rather than competition-focused training. While many of the skills taught serve as a foundation for working cow horse competitions, the primary objective is to develop practical cattle-handling skills that can be applied on farms and ranches.

This is not a beginner riding course and is intended for riders who already possess solid horsemanship skills and wish to expand their cattle-working abilities. Participants should be comfortable and proficient in riding independently at the walk, trot, and lope and must provide a horse that is physically sound and suitable for working cattle.

Participants bringing horses should plan to trailer their horses to and from the ranch each day. No overnight horse accommodations or boarding will be available, and horses may not remain on-site between workshop sessions. Riders are responsible for ensuring their horse is healthy, current on recommended vaccinations, and capable of safely participating in a cattle-working environment.

For those who are not yet ready to ride but would still like to learn, a limited number of observer-only registrations are available. Observer participants will attend classroom discussions, demonstrations, and watch all mounted exercises throughout the workshop, providing an excellent opportunity to gain knowledge before participating as a rider in the future.

By the conclusion of the workshop, participants will have increased confidence in handling cattle horseback, improved communication with their horse, and developed foundational skills that can be applied in everyday ranch operations or serve as a stepping stone into the sport of working cow horse.

Learning Objectives

· Understand cattle behavior, flight zones, and points of balance.

· Apply stockmanship principles to influence cattle movement safely and effectively.

· Improve horse positioning, timing, and communication while working cattle.

· Develop confidence in reading and responding to cattle behavior.

· Practice boxing, sorting, gathering, and moving cattle in a controlled environment.

· Learn teamwork and communication skills necessary for ranch cattle operations.

· Strengthen the horse-and-rider partnership through practical cattle-working exercises.

· Gain hands-on experience applying real-world ranch livestock handling techniques.

Participant Requirements (Mounted Riders)

· Riders must be comfortable and proficient at the walk, trot, and lope.

· Participants must provide their own horse.

· Horses must be physically sound and suitable for working cattle.

· Horses must be trailered to and from the ranch each day.

· No overnight horse stalling or boarding will be available.

· Participants must wear appropriate riding attire, including boots and a riding helmet (recommended).

· Participants must follow all ranch safety guidelines and instructor directions.