Herd Helpers

Phillip Ralls shares his insight on the horses who assist in the cutting pen.

By Quinn Dunham Photograph by Carolyn Simancik

Phillip Ralls did not end up showing a 3-year-old gelding by Metallic Rebel aimed at the National Reined Cow Horse Association Snaffle Bit Futurity®; however, the horse’s good mind made him great to hold the herd. Horses used as herd help, like Ralls’ gelding, might not be shown, but their ability to settle the herd and help exhibitors set up their runs does not go unnoticed.

“I think in general those horses having a job and being able to use them in a different fashion, makes good horses out of them. I use a wide variety of horses, and the horse I brought here to the Celebration of Champions is a 12-year-old bridle horse,” Ralls said. “That horse in particular, ‘Swish,’ was really good-minded, and he was very relaxed, but he would get up and go. He’d do what I needed him to.”

Ralls emphasized the importance of a good-minded horse while helping with the herd, as well as a horse that is not only quiet and still, but can also clear cows when needed.

“If your horse is fractious or trying to work the cow too much, sometimes that takes the cow’s attention off of the cutter and puts it on me, which is not the goal,” explained the NRCHA Million Dollar Rider.

Ralls, from Paso Robles, California, specifies that the goal is to keep the

During the 2021 Snaffle Bit Futurity®, Ralls and Swish helped settle cattle for fellow Open competitors and Non Pro riders.

cow’s attention on the cutter, but also keep the cow moving so the cutter can make a run. When settling the herd, Ralls looks for the cattle to be relaxed and move wherever he wants them to go.

“Really focusing on when I walk up through there, those cattle open up and move away from me, and then stop and look at me,” he said.

Ralls feels the pressure of setting up the best possible run for cutting competitors when he’s assisting them or settling a herd.

“I want the cutters, from the first horse to the last horse, to be able to drive their cows where they want,” he said. “You can’t guarantee cows are going to be good, but you do want them to be able to set their run up.”