Professional Cutting Horse & Team Roping Training

Developing Exceptional Cutting Horses and Team Roping Horses Through Proven Training and Ranch Experience

Elite cutting horse and team roping training — focused on performance, confidence, and results that hold up when it counts.

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Available Mon–Sat · 806-268-4606

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Where horsemanship meets heart — cutting and team roping at the highest level

About James

A Horseman Built on the Ranch, Refined by Results

James brings hands-on cattle experience to every training program. Whether developing a cutting horse with elite cow sense or building the quick-footed athleticism a great team roping horse demands — head and heel horses alike — his horses perform with confidence, precision, and heart.

With deep expertise across both cutting and team roping disciplines, James offers a rare combination of skills under one roof. Every horse receives personalized attention and an honest assessment — and every owner gets straight talk about where their horse stands and what it takes to get where they want to go.

What We Offer

Training Programs Designed for Every Stage

Whether you're starting a young horse or advancing a seasoned athlete, James has a proven program to meet your goals.

Colt Starting

Building a solid, confident foundation for young horses. We focus on responsiveness, trust, and safe, correct movement from the very first ride.

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Cutting Horse Training

From first cattle introduction through competition preparation — developing the cow sense, athleticism, and responsiveness that define a great cutting horse.

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Team Roping Training

Developing elite head and heel horses from the ground up. Speed, rate, and position — building horses that give you every advantage in the box and down the arena.

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Performance Development

Refining and advancing finished horses across both disciplines. Fine-tuning skills, addressing challenges, and preparing horses for high-level competition.

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Horse Shoeing

Professional farrier services specializing in the unique needs of performance horses. Expert shoeing for balance, comfort, and peak performance.

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Why James Zerung

Training You Can Trust, Results You Can See

James's approach is built on respect — for the horse, for the owner, and for the craft of great horsemanship.

Personalized Training Programs

No two horses are alike. Every program is built around the individual horse's temperament, ability, and your specific goals — never a one-size-fits-all approach.

Experienced Cattle Work

Real ranch cattle work is at the core of every program. James's horses learn to read cattle naturally, developing the instinct and confidence that can't be faked.

Dual-Discipline Expertise

James trains both cutting horses and team roping horses — head and heel horses. Rare expertise that means you can trust one trainer across your entire string.

Horse Confidence & Longevity

We push horses to excel without breaking them down. The goal is a willing, sound partner that can perform at a high level for years to come.

Honest Owner Communication

You'll always know exactly where your horse stands — realistic timelines, honest progress reports, and open conversations about your horse's potential.

In the Arena

Cutting horses. Roping horses. One trainer who does both right.

Client Stories

What Horse Owners Are Saying

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What We Offer

Professional Cutting Horse & Team Roping Training

Two disciplines, one trainer, one standard of excellence — from first ride to the competition pen.

Developing instinct, athleticism, and cow sense

Program 01

Cutting Horse Training

A great cutting horse is more than an athletic athlete — it's a genuine partner that reads cattle, trusts its own instincts, and performs with effortless control. James's cutting horse program develops horses from their first cattle introduction all the way through competition-ready preparation.

Drawing on years of real cattle work experience, James teaches horses to read cows naturally — not mechanically. The result is a horse with authentic cow sense, the athleticism to stay in position, and the confidence to commit fully when it counts.

Introduction to cattle and first cow work experience
Development of natural cow sense and instinct
Bodywork, athleticism, and lateral agility training
One-handed stop and control development
Herd work, flag work, and live cattle drills
Competition scoring awareness and show preparation
Rider coaching and teamwork development

Precision, athleticism, and trust — the making of a roping horse

Program 02

Team Roping Training

Team roping demands a horse that is fast, correct, and mentally sharp. James trains both head and heel horses, developing the rate, position, and athletic ability that puts horse and rider in the best possible position every single run.

Whether you're starting a young horse on its roping career or advancing an experienced horse to competition level, James builds these horses the right way — foundation first, speed second. The result is a horse that rates clean, stays in position, and holds up over a long career.

Head horse development — box manners, rate, and tracking position
Heel horse development — timing, rate, and correct swinging position
Speed control and rate training from the ground up
Dummy roping and live cattle progression
Box work — breaking clean, rating the steer, body position
Horsemanship refinement for better rider-horse communication
Competition preparation and pen-ready finishing

Program 03

Performance Horse Development

Sometimes a good horse needs fine-tuning to become a great one. James's performance development program works with cutting horses and roping horses alike — addressing specific challenges, refining skills, and preparing horses for the highest levels of competition in both disciplines.

Whether you're looking to sharpen a cutting horse's mechanics, clean up a head horse's box manners, improve a heel horse's rate and position, or push past a performance plateau — James builds a targeted program around your horse's specific needs and your goals in either discipline.

Detailed evaluation of existing strengths and gaps
Targeted skill refinement and mechanics improvement
Consistency and confidence building under pressure
Problem-solving for specific behavioral or training challenges
Advanced cattle work and competition tuning
Fitness and conditioning program development
Pre-show evaluation and preparation

Roping a calf during performance training

Performance built on patience, cattle work, and real horsemanship

Program 04

Colt Starting

The foundation you build at the start shapes everything a horse becomes. James's colt starting program is rooted in patience, clear communication, and respect for the horse's natural learning process — creating horses that are confident, willing, and safe from the ground up.

We take the time every horse needs. No shortcuts, no rush. Each colt is evaluated individually, and the program is paced to match their development — building trust before pressure, and confidence before collection.

Ground manners, haltering, and early desensitization
Introduction to saddling, bridling, and first rides
Development of forward, responsive movement
Basic lateral and vertical flexion
Building confidence around new environments and obstacles
Safe, correct transitions and stopping
Foundation for future cow work and performance training

Building willing, correct horses from the very first ride

Precision farrier work for elite performance horses

Service 05

Horse Shoeing

A performance horse is only as good as its foundation. James provides professional farrier services tailored specifically to the needs of cutting and roping horses. Proper shoeing is essential for maintaining balance, preventing injury, and ensuring your horse can perform at its peak.

Whether it's a routine reset or specialized corrective shoeing, James brings the same level of care and precision to his farrier work as he does to his training programs.

Full Set (All 4 feet): $265
Half Set (2 feet): $165
Precision balancing for cutting and roping disciplines
Corrective shoeing and therapeutic support
Regular maintenance and reset schedules
High-quality materials for durability and traction

Service 06

Horse Boarding

A home away from home

James offers full-care boarding at his ranch facility for horses enrolled in an active training program. Your horse will be well cared for between sessions — with quality feed, daily turnout, and the attentive eye of someone who genuinely cares about every horse on the property.

Boarding is available exclusively to horses in a training program, ensuring every horse here receives the focused attention and consistent routine that good training demands. You'll always know your horse is in good hands.

Quality hay and grain tailored to each horse's needs
Daily turnout and regular exercise between training sessions
Clean, safe stall accommodations
Attentive daily observation and health monitoring
Available exclusively to horses in an active training program
Coordination with your vet and farrier as needed

Full-care boarding for horses in active training programs

The Zerung Way

Training Philosophy

Whether James is developing a cutting horse with elite cow sense or building a roping horse that rates clean and holds its position under pressure — every decision in the pen comes back to one question: What does this horse need today? That's the foundation of everything.

Patience

We never rush a horse past where it's ready to go. Progress built on patience lasts.

Consistency

Horses learn through repetition and clear, consistent expectations every single day.

Horsemanship

Real horsemanship means reading the horse first and applying training second.

Development

Each horse is an individual. Programs adapt to the horse — not the other way around.

Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Answers to the questions horse owners ask most often.

Most horses are ready to begin groundwork and early foundation training as two-year-olds, with more intensive saddle work typically beginning at two to three years old. Every horse develops differently, and James evaluates each horse individually before determining the right starting point. He'd rather wait for a horse to be mentally and physically ready than push one into training before its time. If you're unsure, bring your horse for an evaluation — James can give you an honest assessment at no pressure.

Training timelines vary significantly based on the horse's background, natural ability, and your goals. A colt starting program typically runs 60 to 90 days. Developing a cutting horse from basics through competition preparation is a longer process — often six months to a year or more, depending on the horse. James will give you an honest assessment of realistic timelines upfront and will keep you updated throughout the process. Quality and longevity always take priority over speed.

Absolutely. James welcomes owners to visit, watch training sessions, and stay involved in their horse's progress. He believes the owner-trainer relationship works best when communication is open and owners feel informed. Visits are encouraged — just coordinate timing in advance so you can catch a full working session. Regular photo and video updates are also provided to keep you connected between visits.

Yes — James trains both head and heel horses, and understands the distinct athletic and mental demands of each position. Head horses need clean box manners, correct rate, and the ability to stay in tracking position. Heel horses need to read the situation, rate correctly, and swing at the right moment with confidence. James builds both from the foundation up, and can work with your horse regardless of which end of the rope you run.

James evaluates problem horses on a case-by-case basis. Many behavioral issues are rooted in gaps in foundation training, fear, or past experiences — and with the right approach, significant improvement is absolutely possible. James will be honest with you about what's realistic for your horse. If he believes he can help, he'll take the horse on. If a situation requires specialized help beyond his scope, he'll tell you that too. Honesty is always the priority.

Getting started is simple. Reach out by phone or through the contact form on this site. James will schedule a consultation to learn about your horse, your goals, and where you are in the training process. There's no obligation — just an honest conversation. Whether you're calling about a cutting horse, a future head horse, or a heel horse you want taken to the next level, James will point you in the right direction. Call 806-268-4606 or submit the contact form to get started.

Investment in Your Horse

Training Programs and Rates

Cutting horse and team roping programs — transparent pricing built around your horse's needs and your goals.

Training Programs

Cutting & Team Roping Programs

All programs include personalized attention, regular owner updates, and James's commitment to your horse's long-term development — whether cutting or roping. Pricing is per horse, per month.

Foundation Program