The Ranch Horse Resource, Horsemanship, Roping and Riding for Ranch Cowboys and Cowgirls and Equine Enthusiasts

Ty Van Norman, horseman, cowboy, rancher,

Do you want to level up your horsemanship and roping? How about learning practical  tips by making small changes with successful results? Ty and Ronda Van Norman with Ranch Horse Resource aim to bring you just what you’ve been looking for! The mission is simple: to share ranch horse knowledge, roping techniques, and horsemanship skills directly with you—on your schedule. You will have access to practical advice while listening to engaging stories, often featuring insights from legendary figures like the Dorrance brothers, Ray Hunt, and lots of real cowboys with a lot of know- how.   Ty and Ronda bring real cowboy experiences from the Great Basin, shaped by both failures and triumphs—horse wrecks, lessons learned, and everything that comes with ranch life among the sagebrush and barbed wire. You will get easy and definitive roping tips and useful horse training.  You’ll also gain valuable mindset insights—like how to become more patient with your horse, how to recover from training mistakes, and how to manage frustration without taking it out on your horse.. Ty brings a lifetime of experience raising, riding, and selling quality American Quarter Horses. His solid foundation in horsemanship applies across disciplines. Whether you’re starting colts, showing reined cow horses, roping in the arena or on the ranch, or participating in vaquero-style competitions, Ty’s deep knowledge offers something for everyone. Best of all, his ability to break complex concepts into manageable steps helps you make steady progress without feeling overwhelmed. Each short, focused episode offers a nugget of real-world wisdom. It’s like sitting in a weathered tack room, surrounded by old bits, saddles, and gear, listening to the stories and insight from cowboys as they swap talk. You’ll also find encouragement in the Cowboy Church Corner episodes, where faith and real-life experience meet. Alongside the practical horse advice, you’ll hear raw and honest conversations about life’s unpredictability—stories of personal loss, business setbacks, the heartache of losing good horses, and the challenges of working together as husband and wife. These moments remind us that life’s trials always offer something in return: growth, conviction, and clarity. If you’re open to faith-based perspectives and ready to discover fresh ways to grow as a horseman, don’t miss out. Laugh, learn, and be inspired by some top hands in today’s ranch horse world. Ride Prepared.  Let your Rope Prove it. 

  1. Aug 4

    017 Why Horse Leads Matter on the Ranch/Horse Training Tips

    www.ranchhorseresource.com email at hello@ranchhorseresource.com   Ranch Horse Resource Podcast  Why Lead Changes Matter 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. In this episode, you'll learn: 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. Key Takeaways 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!

  2. May 16

    016 Picking Up A Foot on A Weanling Ranch Horse

    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.

  3. May 9

    015 Ranch Broodmares: Why Ty Van Norman Separates Dry Mares

    Ranch Horse Resource Website

  4. May 3

    014 Colt Starting with Bill Van Norman (Part 2): Continued—Lessons That Still Hold

    Click here to go to Ranch Horse Resource   Colt Starting with Bill Van Norman (Part 2): Why It Worked 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. What You’ll Learn 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  Takeaways 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 A Thought to Ride With “Get them where they can steer, go forward, and move off your legs… everything else builds from there.” Listen & Learn More 📌 Mentioned: “Snow Colts” article   by Western Horseman: https://westernhorseman.com/horsemanship/snow-colts/

  5. Apr 25

    013 Colt Starting with Bill Van Norman (Part 1): A Look Back at What Worked

    for more information  - click here to go to website

  6. Apr 18

    012 | Crossing a Ditch Smooth on Your Ranch Horse (Without the Buck on the Other Side)

    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

  7. Apr 11

    011 Crossing a Ditch Quiet, Confident, and Smooth on Your Ranch Horse

    Ranch Horse Resource Website   011 | Crossing a Ditch — Quiet, Confident, and Smooth 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. In This Episode 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 Key Takeaways 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 A Thought to Ride With… Good horsemen try to keep things smooth.   Head on over to our website if you want a one on one opportunity to level up your horsemanship and roping.  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.

  8. Apr 4

    010 Heeling at the Branding: What to Do After You Miss (And Keep Missing)

    www.ranchhorseresource.com https://ranchhorseresource.com/   🔥 Episode Overview 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. 💡 Key Takeaway    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.   🤝 Want Help With Your Roping? 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.

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About

Do you want to level up your horsemanship and roping? How about learning practical  tips by making small changes with successful results? Ty and Ronda Van Norman with Ranch Horse Resource aim to bring you just what you’ve been looking for! The mission is simple: to share ranch horse knowledge, roping techniques, and horsemanship skills directly with you—on your schedule. You will have access to practical advice while listening to engaging stories, often featuring insights from legendary figures like the Dorrance brothers, Ray Hunt, and lots of real cowboys with a lot of know- how.   Ty and Ronda bring real cowboy experiences from the Great Basin, shaped by both failures and triumphs—horse wrecks, lessons learned, and everything that comes with ranch life among the sagebrush and barbed wire. You will get easy and definitive roping tips and useful horse training.  You’ll also gain valuable mindset insights—like how to become more patient with your horse, how to recover from training mistakes, and how to manage frustration without taking it out on your horse.. Ty brings a lifetime of experience raising, riding, and selling quality American Quarter Horses. His solid foundation in horsemanship applies across disciplines. Whether you’re starting colts, showing reined cow horses, roping in the arena or on the ranch, or participating in vaquero-style competitions, Ty’s deep knowledge offers something for everyone. Best of all, his ability to break complex concepts into manageable steps helps you make steady progress without feeling overwhelmed. Each short, focused episode offers a nugget of real-world wisdom. It’s like sitting in a weathered tack room, surrounded by old bits, saddles, and gear, listening to the stories and insight from cowboys as they swap talk. You’ll also find encouragement in the Cowboy Church Corner episodes, where faith and real-life experience meet. Alongside the practical horse advice, you’ll hear raw and honest conversations about life’s unpredictability—stories of personal loss, business setbacks, the heartache of losing good horses, and the challenges of working together as husband and wife. These moments remind us that life’s trials always offer something in return: growth, conviction, and clarity. If you’re open to faith-based perspectives and ready to discover fresh ways to grow as a horseman, don’t miss out. Laugh, learn, and be inspired by some top hands in today’s ranch horse world. Ride Prepared.  Let your Rope Prove it. 

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