Show Coaching • Cow Work • Ranch Versatility • Horsemanship

The Ervin Cow Horses Riding Lesson Program is designed for riders who want to become confident, skilled, and competitive in Reined Cow Horse, Ranch Versatility, and Ranch Riding, while building correct horsemanship fundamentals on a solid, proven system. Each lesson is tailored to the rider’s goals and level, offering a balance of technical instruction, cattle handling, and real-world application.

Lessons start at $75/ hr 

Cattle lessons Flat rate of $300 for 1/2 day 

Every lesson begins with building a strong foundation in:

• Balance, seat, posture, and correct body position
• Understanding timing, feel, and release
• Soft, correct guiding: legs, reins, and body control
• Transitions, circles, stops, and lateral movement
• Footwork accuracy and riding with purpose

This foundation is essential before advancing into cattle work or show preparation.

Hands-on cow work is offered using either the flag or live cattle depending on the session type.

Riders learn:

• Reading a cow
• Understanding angles, rate, and position
• Controlled stops and rollbacks
• Boxing on the end of the arena
• Building confidence and timing

• Tracking cattle
• Driving, separating, and handling pressure zones
• Correct approach angles and smooth teamwork
• Safety and confidence around livestock

For riders competing in or wanting to learn VRH (Versatility Ranch Horse), the program includes event-specific coaching:

• Patterns and transitions
• Correct cadence and expression
• Body control and precision
• Maneuver scoring and penalties

• Gates, logs, bridges, sidepassing
• Obstacle approach and flow
• Scoring and show strategy

• Spins, circles, stops, lead changes
• Maneuver placement and pattern execution

• Boxing patterns
• Correct placement and rate
• Safe and confident cattle handling

Riders receive full coaching support for shows, including:

• Pattern memorization tools
• Maneuver-by-maneuver breakdown
• Warm-up routines
• Penalties and scoring education
• Mental preparation and show ring confidence
• Coaching at events (optional add-on)

Emphasis is placed on helping riders understand what judges want, how to maximize scores, and how to prepare their horse for the demands of each class.

Each rider receives a customized progress plan tailored to:

• Rider skill level
• Horse experience
• Show goals
• Timeline and schedule
• Strengths and areas needing refinement

Plans are updated monthly to keep riders improving consistently.

Ideal for riders who want to develop their own horse for versatility, ranch shows, or cow work.

Suitable for:

• Beginners wanting safe instruction
• Riders without a suitable mount
• Clients preparing to enter training/ownership

Lesson horses are selected for safety, consistency, and suitability for cow work basics.

• Horsemanship basics
• Balance, seat, and confidence
• Steering, transitions, circles

• Softness, response, and control
• Lead departures
• Pattern navigation
• Tracking flag and basic cow placement

• Show-level cow work and boxing
• Lead changes and pattern sharpness
• Maneuver scoring maximization
• Competition strategy