How to Train a Cow to be Ridden

Last Updated: October 8, 2019 Approved

Riding cows has been popular for centuries and this is how you train to ride a cow. Riding cows takes a lot of training from a young age and here's how to do it.

Steps

1
Start with a calf so it is easier to teach.
2
Build a relationship with the calf. You want the calf to feel comfortable around you, and you also want to be comfortable around it.^{[1]
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- This means getting it eating out of your hand and getting used to you touching and petting it. This may take several weeks, so be patient, yet consistent.
- This is also a good time to halter-train the calf, and teaching him to stand tied.
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3
As you get the animal used to your touch and your trust, try putting a little pressure on the animal's back each time, by pushing down with your hand, then progressing to planting your arms and chest on the animal's back so your legs are off the ground. Do this briefly, but repeat every time, make sure to give the calf praise every time that it calms down.^{[2]
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4
Once the animal is used to your weight on his back, you can now climb on. The animal may try to jump around a bit or move away from you, but you also need to persist until he learns that you are not trying to hurt him.
5
When the calf starts getting used to you being on its back, take it out to a small enclosed area.
6
Make some reins by putting a halter on him and attaching the end of the lead to the halter.^{[3]
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7
To train the animal to respond to the reins. Have him face a wall or fence, and climb on his back. Pull left or right on the reins and he will have to go either way you tell him because he can't go forward.^{[4]
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8
Continue to practice. This will take quite a bit of time to get from the initial training to actually riding the cow.

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Community Q&A

Question

If you train your cow to be ridden, and a stranger just jumps on her, will she buck the person off?

Community Answer

She might, but if she is trained right and the stranger is told and shown how to ride the cow, it shouldn't happen.
Question

My steer is halter broke and we take him to shows. He's been to two or three now, he's really calm and lets me touch him all over. He's 9 months, do you think I could train him?

Karin

Top Answerer

You could start training him now by getting him accustomed to having weight on his back, basically turning him into a pack-steer. But, he won't be ready to actually ride until he's about two-years-old. At least before then you can gradually get him used to having a saddle on his back.
Question

How do I train them to do jumps without a rider on them? My calf is about 3 months and is halter trained, but she keeps going around the jumps.

Karin

Top Answerer

How big or tall are the jumps? If they're too tall, start off with a log on the ground, and get her to step over that, then progressively get to higher jumps. The problem is that you're starting her off at the deep end, so it's no wonder she'd sooner go around them then over them. Start at the shallow end, and work your way up.
Question

When training her, what treats can I give my cow/calf?

M Mourlam

Community Answer

Try alfalfa cubes, bread, carrots and fruit/other veggies.
Question

At what age can you ride them?

Community Answer

You may start training at 3 months, but don't get on until they are about 11 or 12 months old.
Question

How soon after getting my calf can I ride it?

Community Answer

You need to start training around 3 months old, but because they are so young and because adjusting takes some time, don't actually ride them until they are around 11-13 months old.
Question

How long might halter training last?

Karin

Top Answerer

It depends on you, and the animal. Some animals may take a month or so to train, others a bit longer. If you push the cow to learn as quickly as possible, you might get nowhere. But if you take your time and act like you have all the time in the world to train a cow, you could have it halter-broke in no time.
Question

Why would anyone want to ride a cow? Can they not afford to buy a horse?

Community Answer

Maybe they want to try riding a different animal, or maybe they already have a cow and want to make the most of it.
Question

Are cows scared of loud machines?

Community Answer

If a machine makes noise that are sudden, loud, and abrupt, a cow will most likely be scared.
Question

How do I make the reins?

Community Answer

Buy a big halter that fits and get a loop from a horse's halter. Tie a string onto it and tie them together.

Warnings

Do not ride a cow or calf that is too small for you as this can cause damage to cow's back. Remember cows can carry up to 50% of their body weight and calves can carry around 35-40%.

Thanks!
Helpful 64 Not Helpful 9
Don't rush into things as you could both injure yourself and the calf you're attempting to train.

Thanks!
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