Used to keep the Spanish cattle at a distance with their aggressive characters and territorial behavior, riding with the garrocha has been elevated to an art form. Mostly seen in shows, it is an ultimate test of unity between horse and rider. The rider rides with the garrocha and the horse follows. It goes naturally and both flow in the movements that the garrocha requires to play with the agility and flexibility of the horse.

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Riding with the garrocha is a good way to test the aids and obedience of a horse as well the discipline of the rider. Is the horse submissive to the aids and does he follow the rider to enable the rider to focus on riding with the garrocha just as the rider would focus on riding with the cattle. The horse and rider become one and the movements are merged to create the unity between horse and rider.