Young Cutter Masterclass
Jade Keller shares invaluable insights into the training and preparation of young horses for cutting competitions, emphasizing the importance of a structured warm-up routine and controlled forward motion. With a focus on fostering confidence and responsiveness in 2-year-old colts, Keller introduces fundamental exercises such as flag work and circle drills to promote softness and obedience. He emphasizes the need to avoid overworking young horses to prevent burnout, highlighting the significance of maintaining a balanced approach to training. Additionally, Keller provides guidance on evaluating horses' athletic abilities and selecting suitable equipment, from saddles to bits, tailored to cutting performance. Through hands-on lessons with non-pro riders and seasoned show horses, Keller demonstrates effective techniques for building trust, refining cutting skills, and preparing for competitive events, ensuring both horse and rider are primed for success in the show pen.
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2-Year-Old Cutting Horse Warm-Up
Jade Keller goes through his warm-up routine when riding 2-year-old colts and talks about what he's looking for when he's riding a young horse and the importance of forward motion.
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Preparing a Colt for the Flag
There are certain fundamentals a 2-year-old horse should know before being put on a flag. Jade Keller goes over some of the ways he prepares his colt to work a flag.
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Introducing Colt to the Flag
Learn the fundamentals of introducing a young horse to working the flag and how Jade likes to work his 2-year-old colts on the flag for the first couple of times.
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Overworking a Young Horse
It's easy to want more and more every time you get in the saddle, but it's easy to overwork a young horse and burn them out. Jade Keller explains why it's important not to over work a 2-year-old on a flag or on live cattle.
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Maintaining an Older Cutting Horse
If your horse knows his job, he doesn't need to be drilled on it every day. Jade Keller goes over how he keeps his older more finished horses happy and fresh for the show pen.
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Staying Balanced on a Cow
Jade Keller rides a 6-year-old horse he's had in training and goes through one of his at-home riding sessions where he focuses on balance and making his horse stand up in his shoulders.
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Having Controlled Forward Motion
Having controlled forward motion is the most important tool to have when working with a 2-year-old horse. Jade Keller goes over having control in your forward motion.
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Circle Drill for 2-Year-Olds
Jade Keller demonstrates the circle drill he likes to use on his 2-year-olds to help them get soft in their bodies and learn how to listen to hand, leg, and seat cues.
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Basics of the Back
Teaching a horse to back up is much more than pulling on the reins. Jade Keller goes over the basics of how he teaches a 2-year-old how to back and the importance of not getting into a tugging match.
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At-Home Schooling Session
Jade works a seasoned show horse on cattle and explains what he's looking for when he's riding a horse on cattle at home, and goes over how he prepares his horse for his next show.
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The Importance of Turnback Help
You've seen turnback help in the arena during a cutting competition, but do you know what their job is? Jade Keller explains the importance of having turnback help and how they'll help you in the show pen.
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Riding Position and Terminology for Cutting
Before helping someone work a flag, Jade goes over the basic terminology you'll hear during a cutting lesson and what the proper riding position is for cutting.
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Basics of Working the Flag
Jade Keller gives his assistant trainer a flag work lesson and goes over the basics of flag work with her.
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Using a Tie-Down in Cutting Practice
Jade Keller talks about why he uses a mule tape tie-down on this particular cutting horse, and how it helps him work a flag or a cow easier.
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Evaluating a New Horse
Jade Keller has some owners who sent him a horse so that he can evaluate her to see what kind of events she'll be good at. He goes over the steps he takes when he's evaluating a new horse and what he's looking for during the first ride.
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Evaluating How Athletic a Horse Is
Once Jade has been able to evaluate a horse to see what discipline she might be good at, Jade begins to evaluate how athletic a horse is.
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Testing Athletic Ability
Jade Keller talks about what he looks for when he's testing athletic ability and what he looks for in a high level performance horse.
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Cutting Saddles and Saddle Pads
Learn what to look for in a cutting saddle and why cutters use a certain style saddle. Then learn about the saddle pads Jade likes to use on his horses.
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Bits for Cutting
Jade Keller goes over the bits he has in his tack room and why he likes to use them on his cutting horses.
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Making a Cut
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Schooling Session
Watch as Jade Keller schools his horse to prepare for his next horse show.
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Flag Work Warm-Up
Jade Keller works with a non-pro rider and has her warm-up her horse on the flag before working live cattle.
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Herd Work Riding Lesson
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Flag Work Schooling Session
Jade Keller works with another non-pro rider on the flag to prepare her and her horse for herd work.