Versatility Showcase - Working Western

Do You Have a Reiner?
By Sandy Crechiolo

The typical scenario, a young colt runs up to the fence line, locks his hocks, slides up to the fence, pauses, then in a flash, whirls around and darts off back to his pasture mates. His owner utters a hmmmm... I wonder. Would he make a good reining horse?

In reality, most youngsters display this youthful exuberance from time to time. The truth can only really be told down the road, when the colt's athletic abilities are explored under saddle. The colt that would really catch a reiner's eye would be the one who lazily lopes back to the herd, not really in any big hurry. While all the other youngsters are strutting their stuff, flagging their tails and snorting, look for the colt who quietly ponders what all the fuss is about. Take this colt, add correct conformation and that is your potential reining horse.

All good show horses need to possess a good mind and body. Trainableness is a function of attitude. The best Park horses are those who allow their trainer to develop their natural abilities. The cadence and rhythm to their step, their charisma in the show ring and their willingness to work must be able to be harnessed by the person training them. The same holds true for a reining horse. The horse must physically be able to perform, but it is his mind that is the foremost ingredient in the making of a reining horse. Any horse can be taught to run fast circles. The best horse displays speed, honesty and willingness to guide in his big fast circles and then gears down to his small slow circles with equal integrity. This line of thought stands true for all the required reining maneuvers. An athletic horse with a poor attitude usually leads to frustration. A horse with the desire to please will many times overcome his physical shortcomings.

In determining a horse's potential physical abilities, overall athleticism is a good place to start. When an overall quality has been determine, there are some specific conformational characteristics that should then be considered on a reining horse prospect. Those include overall balance, slope of shoulders and hips, and straightness of legs.

To determine the overall balance of a horse, divide him into thirds. Head to shoulder, shoulders to hips, hip to point of buttock. All pieces should be equal. The angulation of the hip and shoulder should be the same. This is called the "Trapezoid Theory". A good shoulder allows for more stride and absorbs concussion. A strong hip allows the horse to hold his stops. A good sound leg and foot are also very important. Front legs that toe in or out will stress the ankle joints, especially during the spins. Hind legs toed out can lead to spreading during the stops and strain the stifle. Hind legs toed in may stress the hock joints. Short cannon bones and hocks set low to the ground, straight down from the hip are other deslable traits. A well balanced horse with correct leg conformation,strong bone and muscle will tend to be an athlete. When a good mind and body are present, the discipline of Reining is a possibility.

After the horse is saddle broke and schooled in the basics of walk, trot and lope, the decision to put the horse through an evaluation period is a good choice. Give the horse 90 days to determine his lateral motion abilities, desire to stop and his willingness to be game for this sport. If after 90 days, all the lights appear to be green, continue with his training. I not, then re-evaluation of his future discipline is in order.

It is important to note that it takes a long time to train a reining horse. A horse that is solid in the basics is looking at a minimum of 12 months of training before he sees the show arena. Some horses develop fast or slower than others. Reining horses must have a good work ethic. Their job requires ultimate concentration and obedience. Each horse has his own level of ability and that may not be revealed until his second or third show season. For a reining horse to reach his maximum potential, patience is undeniably the most important trait of his owner and trainer.

After all is said and done, and the wet saddle pads are put up to dry, the thrill of riding reining horses is unbeatable. When you find yourself sitting on a horse that seems to balance on a shoe string, waiting at attention for your next instruction, the time and patience it took to train him becomes inconsequential. Anyone who appreciates equine excellence should experience a reining horse, the result is total addiction.