How do I get my bulldogging horse to rate and hold a consistent position next to the steer?

A steer wrestling horse needs to run hard out of the box, rate to match the steer's speed, and hold a consistent position just off the steer's right shoulder without drifting in or out. Training that position starts at slower speeds on straighter runs before you ever ask the horse to hold it at full pace next to an evasive steer. Work your horse alongside other horses at varying speeds to teach rate — this is separate from the horse's natural run speed and must be installed deliberately. The horse needs to learn to hold a lane: close enough that you can reach the steer's horn and head, but not so close that contact happens before you're ready to drop. Teach the horse to respond to leg pressure so you can move it laterally without using your hands, which need to stay free for the drop. Avoid letting green horses get hit by steers early in training — a bad experience builds aversion and your horse will drift out at the critical moment. Many horses also need work on their stop response, since the horse must rate down quickly after the drop to avoid running over the bulldogger on the ground.