What is Horse Cutting?
Originating from ranching practices in the American West, horse cutting is an equestrian sport that perfectly captures the cowboy culture. It focuses on the ability of a horse and rider to separate a single cow from a herd and prevent it from returning to the group. The Western discipline is a competitive event that tests the agility, intelligence, and partnership between horse and rider.
With deep roots in Western culture, cutting has evolved to become an exciting competition where specialised cutting horses are trained to manoeuvre and control cattle. These horses are often bred and trained specifically, so that they have the athleticism, responsiveness, and intelligence needed to anticipate a cow's movements and successfully cut them from the herd.
In modern competition, the goal is to keep the cow separated for a set period of time, known as a “run”, during which the rider and horse demonstrate this control and finesse.
The History of Horse Cutting
The roots of horse cutting trace back to the cattle ranches of the American West, where cowboys often needed to separate cows from the herd for branding or medical attention. Horses that were particularly adept at this task naturally became valued for their combination of quick reflexes, patience, and intelligence. It was this ranch work that led to informal competitions amongst cowboys who took pride in their horses, ultimately helping to establish cutting as a sport.
The first official horse cutting competition was held in 1898 in Haskell, Texas, organised by the Southwestern Exposition and Livestock Show. Its popularity was clear and in 1946 the National Cutting Horse Association (NCHA) was formed, standardising rules and regulations for competition.
Over the decades, horse cutting has grown from a practical skill to a highly respected and technical discipline, with competitions held worldwide, attracting both professional riders and amateurs. The technicalities of the sport have also evolved, with equipment such as specialised cutting saddles being created to help riders reach even higher levels of performance.
What is a Cutting Saddle?
A cutting saddle is one designed to offer the horse and rider mobility and stability during cutting events. Unlike standard Western saddles, cutting saddles are made for quick movements, hard stops, and sharp turns. They typically have a low, narrow seat, allowing the rider to sit a bit deeper and maintain balance and control.
The stirrups on a cutting saddle are set further forward than on most other Western saddles too, which gives the rider a slightly different positioning in the saddle. This is designed to help them remain seated during the fast side-to-side movements typically associated with cutting.
The saddle horn on a cutting saddle also varies from a more traditional Western saddle, designed with a low, thin shape. This provides just enough grip for the rider, but also doesn’t interfere in any of their movements.
What Happens in a Cutting Horse Competition?
In a typical modern cutting competition, the rider and horse have two and a half minutes to cut, or separate, at least two cows from the herd. One of these may be cut from the outskirts of the herd, but at least one must be “deep cut”, which means it must be separated from the centre of the herd.
Riders select the cow they want to cut and clear them away from the herd, but once this is done, they release control by “dropping their hands” off the reins and signalling to the horse that it should take over. The horse then works almost entirely on its own, with the exception of minimal leg cues from the rider.
The rider and horse are scored on a scale of 60-80 points for their performance. Judges score the performance based on precision, smoothness, responsiveness, and the horse’s ability to independently maintain control over the cow. A number of penalties can be given by the judges where points are lost, for example if the horse allows the cow back to the herd or if the rider has to use the reins to assist the horse.
In a cutting competition, four helpers are also in the arena; two of which help keep the rest of the herd from separating into the competition area, known as ‘herd holders’, and two of which are there to ‘turn back’ the cut cow if it tries to escape the other end of the arena, known as ‘turnback riders’.
What Riders Wear in Horse Cutting
Cutting competitions still carry a lot of Western tradition, and the traditional cowboy attire worn by riders reflects this heritage.
Typically, riders wear a long-sleeved Western-style shirt, jeans, cowboy boots, and a cowboy hat. Whilst also being traditional, this clothing provides functionality and comfort, giving riders freedom of movement in the saddle.
For men, we’d recommend the 100% cotton Hale Retro Fit Western Shirt for cool comfort, paired with the M5 Straight Stretch Remming Stackable Straight Leg Jean, designed in a classic slim fit cut without being tight or restrictive. The Bankroll Western Boot finishes this look perfectly.
For women, pair our performance-ready Kirby Stretch Western Shirt with the rider-tested R.E.A.L. Mid Rise Stretch Ivy Stackable Straight Leg Jean for the ultimate comfort in the saddle. Finish with the classic Heritage R Toe Western Boot.
Safety and adherence to competition standards are also essential. In high-level competitions, riders are required to follow specific dress codes set by the NCHA and other regulatory bodies.
Horse cutting blends tradition, skill, and partnership between horse and rider, which offers an exciting, fast-paced event. With its specialised equipment, rich history, and growing competition, cutting represents a popular aspect of equestrian sports and western riding more generally.
