Shawn Hays’s dedication and passion for horses have sculpted a remarkable career in the demanding world of cowhorse events. Raised on a working cattle ranch in West Texas, his innate love for horses, particularly those bred and shown by his grandmother, Judy Hays, laid the foundation for his future success. Hays honed his skills in all-around events during his youth before embarking on a rigorous apprenticeship with renowned trainer JD Yates in Pueblo, Colorado. For six formative years, he dedicated himself to training and showing rope horses, refining his craft under the tutelage of Yates, Jay Holmes, and as the in-house trainer at Carousel Farms.
The pivotal moment in Hays’s career arrived in the spring of 2004 when he established his own training operation in Saint Jo, Texas, with his wife, Tammy. It was here that his natural aptitude for cowhorse disciplines truly began to flourish. Seeking to elevate his expertise, Hays immersed himself in the wisdom of legendary cowhorse trainer Don Murphy. This dedication paid off significantly when he earned his first NRCHA limited aged event check in the spring of 2005 at the Circle Y Derby, culminating that year with a top ten finish in the Limited Open at the prestigious Snaffle Bit Futurity.
Since 2005, Shawn Hays has amassed an impressive record, earning over $700,000 in prize money and securing numerous prestigious titles. His accolades include Reserve Champion World’s Greatest Horseman, Holy Cow Bridle Spectacular Champion, SBF Open Bridle Champion, AQHA World Champion, Reserve Champion World’s Richest Stockhorse, and multiple finalist and top ten finishes at the NRCHA Stakes, Hackamore Classic, Derby, and Snaffle Bit Futurity. Beyond his individual achievements, Hays has been instrumental in guiding numerous non-professional riders to NRCHA World and Reserve Championships in the Non Pro Bridle classes, showcasing his exceptional ability to mentor and develop talent. He currently resides near Nocona, Texas, with his wife and their sons, Bryce and Hunter.
Hays’s string of accomplishments further includes two-time Reserve World Greatest Horseman titles and a third-place finish at the 2021 World’s Greatest Horseman. He is a two-time consecutive champion of the NRCHA Hackamore Classic Open (2019 and 2020) and was the 2019 NRCHA Open Bridle Reserve World Champion. His five-time AQHA World Champion titles underscore his consistent excellence across various disciplines.
Training Philosophy and Core Beliefs
Shawn Hays’s training philosophy is deeply rooted in a commitment to quality over quantity. He emphasizes the importance of “making sure the good ones get broke,” meaning that every horse receives a thorough and conscientious training process, regardless of its initial potential. This approach ensures that each horse develops a solid foundation and learns to perform its tasks effectively and reliably.
When asked for the best advice he has received, Hays highlights the importance of hard work, setting achievable goals, and striving for one’s personal best. He cautions against overestimating a horse’s capabilities, stating, “I see a lot of guys, they might have a 71 or 72 horse and they’re trying to make it a 74 or 75 and end up with a 67. Don’t try to over show your horse.” This advice speaks to the nuanced understanding required to excel in competitive equestrian sports, where pushing a horse beyond its limits can be detrimental.
Selecting and Understanding Cows
Hays approaches cow selection with a focus on a cow’s natural movement. He prefers a cow that “will move away from you,” indicating a willingness to engage with the horse. While he doesn’t have strong preferences for specific colors, his primary focus is on observing how a cow settles and its demeanor when positioned near a horse. This keen observation allows him to anticipate a cow’s reactions and prepare the horse accordingly.
The Essential Quality of a Horse
For Hays, “eye appeal” is the most crucial quality in a horse. He believes that a visually striking horse immediately captures the judges’ attention, providing an initial advantage. However, this aesthetic appeal must be complemented by functional prowess. Modern cowhorse events demand horses that can perform with a low-headed, “slinky” style for cutting, maintain a relaxed, low-headed lope for reining, and execute powerful stops and turns. Furthermore, the horse must possess the speed and agility to “run and get up and catch a cow.” Hays stresses that a horse’s ability to transition smoothly from running to stopping is paramount, requiring a mental focus beyond just speed.
Program Adjustments and Refinements
In the past year, Hays has significantly focused on improving his cutting skills, crediting mentors like Spud Sheehan and Tatum Rice for their invaluable guidance. This concentrated effort has led to his cutting scores becoming his highest, demonstrating the effectiveness of his dedication to refining this specific discipline. He also emphasizes the importance of maintaining higher-quality horses within his program, ensuring a consistent level of performance and potential.
Understanding and Cultivating “Feel”
“Feel” is a concept that Hays believes cannot be directly taught but can be significantly improved. For him, feel is the intuitive understanding of when a horse is giving to a request rather than being pressured repeatedly. He elaborates that increased hand pressure should be matched by equivalent foot pressure, fostering a more responsive and sensitive partnership. Hays views timing and feel as skills developed through relentless practice, suggesting that “feel is something you have or you don’t have.”
The Significance of Softness in a Horse
The importance of softness in a horse cannot be overstated for Hays. A soft horse responds willingly and without resistance, evident in its facial expressions and immediate reactions to cues. This softness creates a fluid and natural performance, conveying the impression that the horse is a willing and engaged partner. Hays insists that when a horse is cued, it must respond decisively. He is particularly adamant about avoiding a horse that becomes “totally locked on the cow,” emphasizing the critical need for control and safety, especially when maneuvering off the cow.
A Practical Training Tip
Hays’s essential 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 attuned to a horse’s worries or hesitations, responding with increased patience and awareness. Hays’s daily practice involves incrementally stepping the horse up, asking for more only when he senses the horse is ready and capable of meeting the challenge, reinforcing his core philosophy of quality-focused, responsive training.
