2.WORKING THE BALANCE POINT
D. LONG GONE
The balance point on a beast is the point you have
to reach to make it stop. Each cow is going to have a
different balance point, which your horse needs to be
able to read and learn in order to rate the cow. Obviously,
modern genetics help some horses to do this better than
others, but the correct training will give your horse the
advantage for success.
A. SHORT
The horse has gone too far past the flag and has lost
connection, becoming disconnected from the flag.
Figuring out the balance point and helping your horse
figure it out in the early stages requires you to watch the
cow and help your horse.
In this image, I am short on the flag, or behind the
balance point. At this position, I am behind the cow and
driving it across the pen.
3. TRAVELLING
B. STOPPED IN POSITION
Here, I have reached the point where I can head the flag
and stop it.
I like to let my horse travel with the flag and give him
some “sanctuary time” while inside the balance point.
This will encourage him to relax and get comfortable.
C. LONG
This is the long position, past the balance point. This
position is going to stop and turn the cow. Being too long
will most often make a young horse late getting back to
position after he turns resulting in losing a real cow.
Page 36 • The Australian Quarter Horse Magazine January • February • 2017
As he begins to gain caution about going past the flag, I
start to increase leg pressure and build some impulsion
while he’s travelling, this collection will allow him to go to
the stop much quicker.