How to Train a Reining Horse
Reining is an equestrian sport that requires the horse to perform sliding stops, circles at different speeds and sizes, spins, flying changes and rollbacks in one of the 10 patterns developed by the National Reining Horse Association. The horses perform these patterns individually, and each movement is given a score, with the highest score winning the class. For anyone who wants to compete, reining is best done with the assistance of a professional trainer, but movements can be worked on at home too if you simply want to improve your horse's skills.
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Things You'll Need
- Level riding area with soft footing
- Boots or wraps to protect your horse's legs
Instructions
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Training Reining Movements
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1
Start by teaching your horse to circle. Make sure your circle is round by placing cones or buckets in points to ride around, or by drawing or dragging a circle in your riding area. The circles are loped in reining competition, so your horse must know his leads. Ask your horse for the correct lead by picking up the rein in the direction of the circle, then using your opposite leg to push your horse's hip over. Make a kissing sound to ask for the lope.
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2
Teach flying changes by asking for a simple change every time you change direction from one circle to another. Ask your horse to trot, trot a few steps and set up for the new lead, then ask for the lope again. Gradually decrease the number of trot steps until your horse can switch leads when you ask for the new lead.
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3
Walk your horse parallel to a fence or wall about 4 to 6 feet away from it, and come to a stop. Turn your horse in the direction of the fence so you're facing the way you came from and gallop your horse away. He should be on the correct lead as he gallops away; if not, try again. You can work up to faster gaits as he becomes more comfortable with the rollback.
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4
Walk and trot small circles to start your horse on spinning. Apply the outside rein against your horse's neck and pick up the inside rein as you make the small circle. Take your inside leg off of your horse's ribcage, and push him over with your outside leg. When he crosses his legs, let him walk forward out of the turn as a reward. Gradually ask for more and more steps, then move up to a trot. If your horse crosses his outside leg under (opposed to over) his inside leg, stop the turn and immediately walk forward to prevent him from making that a habit. Learning how the legs cross takes feel, and you may need someone to watch you and let you know what your horse is doing.
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5
Stop your horse by walking him straight, then saying "whoa" and slowly picking up both reins until you have contact with his mouth while you lightly press your legs against his sides. Keep the contact until he stops. If he throws his head up in the air while he stops, you've used too much rein or not enough leg. Practice at the walk until he stops from "whoa" and keeps his head low as he stops, then you can start working from faster gaits. As you add speed, he should start sliding if he is stopping appropriately.
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