Reining
The Western form of dressage
Originating from working with cattle
Reining is a western riding competition for horses where the riders guide the horses through a precise pattern of circles, spins, and stops. All work is done at the lope (a slow, relaxed version of the horse gait more commonly known worldwide as the canter), or the gallop (the fastest of the horse gaits). Originating from working cattle, reining is often described as a Western form of dressage riding, as it requires the horse to be responsive and in tune with its rider, whose aids should not be easily seen, and judges the horse on its ability to perform a set pattern of movements.
Working terrain
Hard sand surface
Rest place/daily stay
Box, paddock, field
Horse characteristics
Stocky, well muscled, squarely built riding horse with a height of about 155 cm. A reining horse is a flexible, athletic and obedient horse which performs its tasks at a gallop.
Horses behaviour
Reining horses are, because of their character and the way they are trained and taught, mostly calm and easy to shoe.
Shoeing location
Reining horses can be shod at the usual shoeing places.
Advice
For the forelegs, light shoes with a good grip should be used. The shoes should not be fitted too long or too broad. For this usage, all types of profiled shoes are on offer (eg. St. Croix Advantage, St. Croix Eventer etc.). The shoes for the hind legs are sliding plates which, depending on the position and disposition, can be fitted with or without a rolled toe.