Kody Ward introduces “Old Yeller,” a promising young horse in training for ranch sorting. In this session, Ward walks through the equipment he chooses for this horse and explains why each piece is important for building responsiveness and control. He then demonstrates key dry work drills, focusing on collection and teaching the horse to stay soft and behind his hands—laying the foundation for success in the sorting pen.
Up Next in Sorting Smart with Kody Ward
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Working the Gate with Kody Ward
Kody Ward highlights the importance of gate work in the ranch sorting pen, explaining how much “draw” exists within the gate. He demonstrates how to work it like a “V” in the middle, showing how to position and guide the horse effectively. This lesson gives riders the tools to handle one of the m...
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Working on Transitions on a 4-Year-Old
Kody Ward works with a 4-year-old horse on improving transitions during dry work. Ward wants the horse to trot or lope off, stop, back-up and then have a smooth turnaraound which is a big move in the ranch sorting pen. He focuses on keeping the horse collected and responsive while breaking down s...
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Schooling Confidence
Kody Ward demonstrates how he builds a horse’s confidence in the ranch sorting pen. He walks through key exercises and strategies to help the horse stay relaxed, responsive, and comfortable while working cattle—laying the groundwork for consistency and success in competition.
