Shawn Hays’ journey into the world of cowhorse training is a testament to passion, dedication, and a deep-rooted love for horses. Growing up on a working cattle ranch in west Texas, Shawn was immersed in the equestrian lifestyle from a young age, a passion inherited from his grandmother, Judy Hays, a successful breeder and showman of AQHA halter and all-around horses. After competing in all-around events as a youth, Shawn sought to hone his skills, apprenticing with renowned trainer JD Yates in Pueblo, Colorado. His formative years were spent training and showing rope horses, working for Yates, Jay Holmes of Sarasota, FL, and finally as the in-house trainer at Carousel Farms in Sulphur, OK. In 2004, Shawn and his wife, Tammy, established their own training operation in Saint Jo, Texas, a move that proved pivotal for his career. It was here that Shawn discovered his innate talent for the intricacies of cowhorse events.
His dedication to the discipline quickly led him to learn from the legendary cowhorse trainer, Don Murphy. By the spring of 2005, Shawn achieved his first significant success, earning a check in a NRCHA limited aged event at the Circle Y Derby in Stephenville, TX. He capped off that year with a top ten finish in the Limited Open at the prestigious Snaffle Bit Futurity. Since 2005, Shawn’s career has been marked by remarkable achievements, amassing over $700,000 in earnings. His impressive list of titles includes Reserve Champion World’s Greatest Horseman, Holy Cow Bridle Spectacular Champion, SBF Open Bridle Champion, AQHA World Champion, and Reserve Champion World’s Richest Stockhorse. He has also been a consistent finalist and top ten finisher at major NRCHA events such as the Stakes, Hackamore Classic, Derby, and Snaffle Bit Futurity. Beyond his individual success, Shawn has also played a crucial role in guiding non-professional riders to achieve NRCHA World and Reserve Championships in the Non Pro Bridle classes. Today, he resides near Nocona, TX, with his wife and two sons, Bryce and Hunter, continuing to shape the future of cowhorse training.
Training Philosophy and Key Principles
Shawn Hays’ training philosophy centers on a principle of “quality over quantity.” He emphasizes ensuring that good horses are properly broke, rather than accumulating a large number of horses in training. This approach is complemented by the advice he received early in his career: “Work hard, have goals. Make sure they aren’t too high…Try to be the best you can be and go show what you have…” He cautions against overestimating a horse’s capabilities, warning that attempting to push a moderately capable horse to an elite level can often result in a lesser performance.
When selecting cows for training, Shawn looks for animals that naturally move away from the horse. While he has no specific color preferences, he prioritizes observing how the cows settle and how they position themselves relative to the horse.
Essential Qualities in a Horse
For Shawn, “eye appeal” is paramount in a horse. A visually appealing horse immediately captures the judge’s attention. However, modern cowhorse competition demands more than just good looks. Horses must possess the ability to maintain a low-headed, “slinky” posture for cutting, move with relaxed, low-headed gaits for reining, and execute powerful stops and turnarounds. Crucially, a cowhorse must possess the speed and agility to “run and catch a cow.” Shawn highlights that horses lacking sufficient speed may struggle when faced with a fast cow, especially when an abrupt stop is required, as their instinct remains focused on running rather than responding to the stop cue.
Evolution of Training and the Concept of “Feel”
In recent years, Shawn has made significant adjustments to his training program, particularly in his cutting techniques. By riding with renowned trainers Spud Sheehan and Tatum Rice, he has seen considerable improvement, with his cutting scores now being his highest. He also emphasizes the importance of maintaining a stable of high-quality horses.
Shawn describes “feel” as an innate quality that cannot be directly taught but can be refined. For him, true feel involves recognizing and responding to a horse’s willingness to yield, rather than persistently asking. He posits that the more one utilizes their feet in conjunction with their hands, the softer a horse’s mouth will become. He advocates for a balanced application of pressure, stating, “If you’re putting 5-10 pounds of pressure with your hands, you better be putting 5-10 pounds of pressure with your feet.” For Shawn, achieving effective timing and feel requires repeated practice until it becomes second nature. He believes that “feel is something you have or you don’t have.”
The Importance of Softness and Responsiveness
The emphasis on a horse being “soft” is crucial for Shawn. A soft horse is one that does not resist cues, responding promptly and without fuss. This responsiveness creates a seamless partnership, where the horse appears well-broke and “on your team.” When a rider cues a soft horse, it should elicit an immediate and appropriate reaction. Shawn avoids horses that become overly fixated on the cow, making them difficult to disengage. Safety is a significant concern, and he stresses that if he needs to rein the horse away from a cow, the horse must readily comply with the directional cue.
A Training Tip for Patience and Progression
Shawn’s core training tip is to “Be patient and try to bring that horse along at whatever pace he wants to go.” He advises trainers to be attentive to a horse’s emotional state, recognizing signs of worry or hesitation and responding with increased patience. His daily approach involves incrementally stepping the horse up, asking for more only when he perceives the horse is ready and capable of handling the increased challenge.
