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Are lead changes only for the show pen, or do they matter to the everyday ranch horse?

In this episode, Ronda Van Norman sits down with Ty to discuss one of the most overlooked—but most important—fundamentals of a balanced ranch horse. Whether you are doctoring yearlings, riding hillsides, or simply wanting a more responsive horse, understanding leads can make your horse safer, smoother, and more useful.

Ty explains why leads aren't just about appearance—they're about balance, body control, footing, and helping your horse move efficiently over all types of terrain. He also shares practical ways to improve leads while you're out doing ranch work, without spending hours in the arena.

• Why leads matter for every ranch horse—not just performance horses.

• How proper leads improve balance, safety, and athleticism.

• Why horses naturally prefer the correct lead for the direction they're traveling.

• How leads affect roping.

• Exercises you can do while riding outside to improve body control and lead departures.

• What to do when a horse consistently misses one lead.

• Why crossfiring happens and how to correct it without creating frustration.

• The importance of timing, relaxation, and avoiding "residue" when teaching lead changes.

• A balanced horse is a useful horse.

• Good leads are about function, not just appearance.

• The best place to teach body control is often while you're doing everyday ranch work.

• Small improvements, practiced consistently, build confident horses.

• Keep your horse relaxed—clarity creates better learning than pressure.

If you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend, leave a review, and subscribe so you don't miss future conversations on practical horsemanship, ranch horse training, and building horses that are useful both on the ranch and in the arena.

Thanks for listening to the Ranch Horse Resource Podcast!

In this episode of the Ranch Horse Resource Podcast, Ty Van Norman talks through a simple, practical approach to picking up a young horse’s foot for the first time.

Rather than forcing the issue, Ty explains how the process really starts long before the foot ever leaves the ground — through halter breaking, yielding to pressure, and building trust through the horse’s whole body.

Ty shares:

• How to use a soft lead rope to  introduce pressure
• How to use pressure and release in the process
• Reinforces the idea that it's  okay to stop, reset, and start over
• How consistency in your approach builds confidence in the horse over time

A simple conversation full of practical horsemanship for ranch cowboys, cowgirls, and anyone working with young horses.

In this episode, Ty and Ronda Van Norman  continue the conversation on how colts were started on the Van Norman Ranch 20+ years ago—and break down why that system worked so well.

Ty shares practical insights on building a useful ranch horse from the very beginning, even if you don’t have a full crew or ideal setup.

• Why colts progressed quickly in a group setting
• The importance of feet and face working together
• How “following their nose” is one of the most overlooked important keys to a useful horse
• Why minimal groundwork (done well) can still produce great horses
• The role of pressure and release from start to finish
• Why not over-preparing a colt can actually help them learn

• Keep it simple—don’t overcomplicate the start
• Get them good enough, then go use them
• Avoid overworking or dulling their mind
• Progress happens in small, consistent steps

“Get them where they can steer, go forward, and move off your legs… everything else builds from there.”

📌 Mentioned: “Snow Colts” article 

 by Western Horseman:

https://westernhorseman.com/horsemanship/snow-colts/

In this episode, Ronda and Ty talk through what causes horses to:

• jump
• buck
• take off
• or lose focus of the rider

…then Ty offers  some things so you can do to stay ahead of it.

🐎 A Story from the Ranch

Ronda shares a story from their daughter Anna, who as a young rider crossed a small ditch at a trot…then her horse went to bucking.   Ty has a story of a cowboy whose horse kept bucking every time he crossed a ditch when they went out to gather cattle.

🎯 The Big Idea

Good horsemanship isn’t reacting after things go wrong— it’s preparing so they don’t.

🤠 A Thought to Ride With

Sometimes it takes going through a wreck to recognize the warning signs.

But the more experience you get… the more you start to feel things before they happen.

That’s where confidence comes from. That’s where things start to get smooh.

👉 Work With Ty

If you want help applying this to your own horse:

Ty offers one-on-one coaching calls where you can:

• send in your riding video
• get clear, practical feedback
• walk away with a plan for your next ride

👉 ranchhorseresource.com

Crossing a ditch—or any kind of water or obstacle—can go a lot of different ways.

Some riders are just trying to get across however they can.

But there’s a big difference between getting across… and doing it quiet, confident, and smooth.

In this episode, we talk about how Ty approaches ditch crossings in a way that doesn’t look like much—but that’s the point.

. Just timing, feel, and preparation before the problem ever shows up.

• Why most problems at the ditch start before you get there
• The difference between reacting… and preparing
• How to keep your horse from drifting left or right
• Using your hands wide (like they’re on a cross tie)
• Blocking the thought—not fixing it after the fact
• Finding the release at the right moment
• Why subtle pressure beats big corrections

• Don’t wait until you’re at the ditch to get across smooth
• Keep your horse between your hands and legs  - not one step out here or there
• Make the wrong thing a little harder, and the right thing easy
• Smooth isn’t accidental—it’s prepared

Good horsemen try to keep things smooth.

If you want help seeing what’s happening in your own situation—and making simple changes - let's book a call.

https://ranchhorseresource.com/

You don’t need more information. You need someone who can see what you can’t.

https://ranchhorseresource.com/

Missing once is part of the game. But when missing and missing becomes a thing… ouch.

In this episode, Ronda and Ty Van Norman break down what really happens after a miss on the heel side—and why it’s not the miss that gets you in trouble… it’s what happens next.

From mindset to horsemanship to practical heel shot adjustments, this episode will help you get back to smooth, effective roping when things go south.

   Missing a loop won’t hurt you.

   Losing your focus, your horsemanship, and your priorities will.

  1.  Focus on the job.

  2.  Focus on your horsemanship.

  3.  Focus on fundamentals of your high percentage roping shot.

If this episode hit home, the next step is simple.

Send us your video. Let us help you see what you can’t.

👉 Visit: ranchhorseresource.com 👉 Book a coaching call with Ty

Walk away knowing exactly what to work on next.

• Check mares often during foaling — don’t assume everything’s fine
• Know which mare had which foal
• Watch for extra movement — the ones that won’t settle are your clue
• Separate maiden mares ahead of time when possible
• Bonding in the first few hours matters more than anything
• Time matters — the longer it goes, the harder it is to fix
• When it happens, get them separated and get that foal nursing

Everything looked ok that morning with the mares on the ranch — a healthy foal on the ground and a mare mothered up like she should be.

By the afternoon, something had changed.

Now there’s one foal… two mares… and neither one of them is settled. One’s running, the other’s watching, and that colt is following the wrong one.

The real mama can’t quite get back in there, and the mare that took him won’t let him nurse.

That’s how quick it can happen — and if you don’t catch it in time, that foal may never get what it needs.

If you run into a situation like this and need some support: 👉 Head over to ranchhorseresource.com and reach out...

In fact, the best hands might have 50 different ways to handle the same situation —

even if most days they only use one or two of them.

In this episode of the Ranch Horse Resource Podcast,

Ty and Ronda Van Norman pick up the story of Anna and her horse Scooter,

who had developed a habit of grabbing himself and running off.

Ty shares what happened when he stepped in to ride the horse himself when they were gathering cattle to  brand,

how he read the situation as it unfolded,

and the strategies he used to help Scooter find a better answer.

Along the way, this conversation explores timing,

feel, preparation, and why real-life horsemanship rarely happens in perfect conditions.

Because the truth is — horses, like life, don’t always go according to plan.

In Episode 006, Anna told the story of her horse Scooter running off with her.

In this episode, Ty shares the rest of the story —

what happened the next time Scooter took off, and what he felt when he got on the horse himself.

A good hand doesn’t rely on just one method.

Different horses, different days, and different situations often require different approaches.

Sometimes the key is simply having another tool in your toolbox.

One of Ty’s guiding ideas is something his grandfather used to say:

“Something always happens before what happens happened”

Learning to feel those early signals can give a rider the chance to step in

before a horse fully commits to the problem.

When Scooter started building up to run off, Ty worked the horse’s balance and feet by picking up on the reins, asking for changes in the hind feet, and releasing pressure the moment the horse slowed down.

The key wasn’t force.

The key was timing.

Many experienced riders say they would rather sit on a bucking horse than one that runs off with no feel in the bridle.

A horse that shuts his mind off and runs blindly can be one of the most dangerous situations a rider faces.

Ty explains that many runaway issues can be prevented with proper early training, including:

• Halter breaking with good feel

• Driving the horse and moving his feet with a flag

• Teaching the horse to follow his nose and soften through his body

These foundation pieces help a horse stay mentally connected when pressure builds.

If a horse becomes bracy or dull in the bridle,

groundwork can reveal issues that are harder to feel from the saddle.

Sometimes the answer can be found before you ever swing a leg over.

Training isn’t always the whole story.

Sometimes problems can come from discomfort such as:

• Saddle fit

• Dental issues or wolf teeth

• Chiropractic soreness

• Rib or body misalignment

Good horsemanship means paying attention to the horse’s physical comfort too.

• Good horsemen build a toolbox of solutions, not just one method. • Many problems show warning signs before they fully appear. • Timing — knowing when to apply and release pressure — is critical. • Foundation training helps prevent bigger problems later. • When something isn’t working, sometimes the best answer is to change the approach.

“A good horseman might have fifty ways to do something. Most days he might only use one or two — but he’s got the rest if he needs them.”

Horsemanship is a lifelong learning process.

If you’ve picked up a few tools along the way, we’d love to hear them.

Join our free Facebook group:

Tack Room Talk

Share your experiences, lessons learned, and the things that have helped you and your horses along the way.

Because none of us do this perfectly — we’re all still learning.

Practical horsemanship. Real ranch stories. Lessons learned along the way.

And remember:

Ride prepared — let your rope prove it.

www.ranchhorseresource.com

It is what is behind the phrase "Cowboy Up."

In this episode of Ranch Horse Resource, Anna Van Norman shares the story of a young horse named Scooter who decided to spit the bit and run off while moving cattle..   Things got  western in a hurry — but  there are great lessons that came from it.

This is Part 1 of a two-part series.   

When a horse becomes nervous or wants to bolt:

• Shorten one rein before mounting

• Be ready the moment your seat hits the saddle

• If a horse runs off, bend the head with one rein instead of pulling straight back on both reins

Van Norman Ranch Horse Program – Interview with Bill Van Norman https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ECFWFw1JSYE

Join us next week for Part 2, when Ty Van Norman shares his thoughts on why situations like this happen and how riders can prepare their horses before trouble starts.

www.ranchhorseresource.com

Ride prepared. Let your rope prove it.

They can also get expensive — fast — if you’re not prepared.

In this episode, Ty talks through how to approach a sale with clarity instead of adrenaline.

From doing your homework ahead of time to knowing exactly what job you need done,

this conversation is about becoming the kind of buyer who walks away confident — not surprised.

Sales aren’t good or bad. They’re a tool.

Preparation protects your wallet, your confidence, and your program.

If you’re shopping this season, this episode will help you ride in prepared and bid with confidence. 

Feel free to join our  newsletter - www.ranchhorseresource.com

Winning in ranch rodeo doesn’t start when the gate opens — it starts with preparation. In this episode of the Ranch Horse Resource Podcast, Ty Van Norman breaks down the three essentials for ranch rodeo success: preparing your team, preparing your horse, and being prepared to rope. Whether you compete in ranch rodeos, brand calves at home, or want to level up your horsemanship and roping, these practical insights will help you perform with confidence instead of chaos when things speed up.

In this episode, Ty covers three key areas that make the difference between chaos and confidence:

1. Prepare the Team

• Know if your teammates are there to compete or just have fun — get on the same page before the gate opens.
• Communicate, adjust, avoid tunnel vision, and practice working together at home.

2. Prepare the Horse

• Keep your horse between your hands and legs, especially when things speed up.
• Practice speed steering and build responsiveness before the pressure hits.

3. Prepare to Rope

• Be ready for the first opportunity — timing matters.
• If you're ready to rope the first one, the next ones come easier. Don’t wait until the moment to get ready.

Preparation isn’t just part of success. It’s the key to it.

That might be one of the fastest ways to fry their mind.

In this episode, Ty Van Norman breaks down why gates can overwhelm a young horse

— and how rushing the process creates resistance, anxiety, and confusion.

Inside this episode:

• Why being in a hurry sets a green horse up to fail

• What’s really happening in your horse’s mind at the gate

• How to help them stay calm and responsive

• Practical mindset shifts that build confidence instead of tension

• Simple strategies to make gate work smoother and more controlled

If you want a horse that stays soft, willing, and thinking — even when things get tight — this episode is for you.

Join the free Facebook group - Tack Room Talk:https://www.facebook.com/groups/1577019369976673

and join newsletter @ https://ranchhorseresource.com/

a horse that gets nervous in the box.

Ty addresses the  horse that  is anticipating the run,

locking up their feet, or otherwise showing nervous behavior.

Ty explains:

• Why anticipation is the biggest issue in the box

• How green horses (and even seasoned ones) can get tight mentally

• What “stuck feet” really means — and why it matters

• The difference between lack of experience and lack of preparation

• A simple mindset shift that can change everything

Whether you're bringing along a young rope horse, hauling to jackpots, or riding your old rodeo horse, this episode gives you practical insight you can apply immediately.

If you haven't joined the free Facebook Group  -

you can find a place to hang out at Tack Room Talk  -

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1577019369976673.

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Hosted by  Ty and Ronda Van Norman, this podcast shares hard-earned lessons from generations of ranching, riding, and roping — along with the realities learned through experience and a few hard knocks along the way.  Rooted in Christian faith, they approach horsemanship with stewardship, integrity, and respect for what truly works—for the horse and in everyday life.

Whether you’re in the arena, out on the ranch, or just trying to get a little better with your horse, each episode is designed to be short, focused, and useful.

These conversations are meant to fit into real life — listen while feeding horses, driving to a roping, or fixing fence. No gimmicks. No overthinking. Just clear, honest horsemanship and roping tips that actually work.    

You can expect:

• Practical horsemanship and roping insights without overcomplication

• Lessons passed down through generations of ranch experience

• Short, focused episodes that fit real ranch schedules

• Honest conversations shaped by real wins and hard knocks

• Tips you can use in the arena, on the ranch, or at home

• Christian perspectives 

✅ Subscribe now so you don't miss a single episode!

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