Reining and Cow Horse Stops: What’s the Distinction?

A fast-stopping horse sliding proper right into a cloud of mud is an icon for western driving. Horses in reining programs stop with sliders on their once more hooves to accentuate downward transitions. In cow horse programs, the horse’s stop blocks the cow’s motion—compounding the movement as enviornment mud flies.

Proper right here, coach Aaron Ralston demonstrates how the western stop is differs with and with out cattle present. Ralston says the an identical horse can stop properly in a reining class and uncover methods to stop a cow.

“Among the finest cow horse must be as broke as the perfect reining horse and as linked to a cow as the perfect chopping horse,” he says. “Then accountability falls to the rider. Within the occasion you employ your reins and leg, it must be in time with the goal of the cow.”

The horse must be tuned into the rider for the reining stop cue and tuned into the cow for good cow horse stops.

“For the reining stop, it is important have an unbelievable stop, then change directions,” he says. “Should you’re working cows, the cattle shift correct and left, and likewise you’re on a regular basis reacting.”

Stopping Time

It would not matter what kind of sophistication you’re getting ready for, Ralston recommends holding your cues fixed. Should you visualize how one can switch your fingers to rein for the stops, take into account the clock image from half 1 of this sequence.

With the clock face over your horse’s physique—and 12 o’clock at his ears—you’ll switch your fingers in direction of 6 o’clock to cue for a stop. You’ll then return your hand to the middle of the clock to allow your horse to maneuver his neck freely with no tight rein.

The Reining Stop

For the suitable reining stop, the horse’s once more should hunch into the stop whereas his hind hooves attain in direction of the doorway hooves. The horse’s entrance legs should switch freely as a result of the horse skates into the stop.

The horse’s neck naturally telescopes out and all the best way right down to counterbalance his weight taking place inside the once more. There’ll possible be a nice arc from the nostril to the hind end. Ralston warns that you just don’t want numerous rein or bit contact—little to none.

To put this scene into movement, Ralston says he approaches the stop with commonly setting up velocity. As a result of the horse runs all the best way right down to the stop, his physique place naturally modifications, and his shoulders switch once more with the motion.

Should you’re capable of stop, be sure that to not stress your shoulders once more. In its place, the best way during which the horse strikes should ship your shoulders once more—an identical to a jet taking off propels passengers once more into their seats. This relaxed, pure once more place signifies that the horse is shifting his shoulders freely with out weight tipping forward onto his entrance legs.

When it’s time to ask for the stop, say “whoa,” press the balls of your ft into your stirrups, drive your heels, then increase your hand for light contact. As you sit the stop, degree your belt buckle to the sky and keep your chin up.

The reining stop was developed for the arena-performance class. Reining crowds cheer the loudest when horses glide over a protracted distance. This stop isn’t used to work on the ranch. Nonetheless, the horse’s free movement and willingness to change speeds on command are on a regular basis essential.

Cow Horse Stop

For a cow horse stop, the horse’s entrance end doesn’t pedal to stability the hindquarters’ sliding. In its place, the horse’s entrance legs switch further abruptly to allow him to change directions when the cow turns.

“If the cow and horse switch down the fence then stop on the same time, the horse would keep shifting down the fence whereas the cow modified directions and bought away,” Ralston says. “The reining stop with sliders is not going to be smart for working cows.”

Ralston says that for a well-trained horse, one of the best resolution to vary from a reining stop to the stop wished for cattle work is to change the footwear. Ralston chooses once more footwear for cattle work that allow the horse to maneuver by way of the footing alongside together with his hind hooves nonetheless which have further friction than individuals who allow for a sliding stop.

To stop for a cow horse class, place your physique merely as when stopping in a reining class. Whereas the horse will switch in any other case, your home stays the an identical. As you progress with the cow down the fence, you want your shoulder, hip, and heel to align.

The expert horse will velocity to take you to the spot that may stop the cow. The momentum of the horse should naturally switch your shoulders behind your hips. Collectively along with your shoulders once more, you’ll be balanced for the stop.

Observe that in each stop, your physique place must be relaxed collectively along with your shoulders once more. Within the occasion you lean forward on a cow flip, it’s possible you’ll get thrown forward whereas the horse tries to change course. In that case, the horse has your whole weight on his entrance end—making his job troublesome. In its place, keep your shoulders barely once more to be ready for any western stop.

This textual content appeared inside the November/December 2022 issue of Horse Illustrated journal. Study the first installment of this sequence, demonstrating the excellence in turns between reining and cow horse programs.