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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!

Ranch Horse Resource

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.

Ranch Horse Resource Website

Click here to go to Ranch Horse Resource

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/

for more information - click here to go to website

www.ranchhorseresource.com

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

Ranch Horse Resource Website

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.

www.ranchhorseresource.com

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.