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 utilizing. 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 grime flies.

Proper right here, coach Aaron Ralston demonstrates how the western stop is differs with and with out cattle present. Ralston says the similar horse can stop correctly in a reining class and study to stop a cow.

“The right cow horse must be as broke as the simplest reining horse and as linked to a cow as the simplest chopping horse,” he says. “Then obligation falls to the rider. For many who use 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, you may have an unbelievable stop, then change directions,” he says. “When you’re working cows, the cattle shift correct and left, and in addition you’re always reacting.”

Stopping Time

It does not matter what kind of sophistication you’re getting ready for, Ralston recommends defending your cues fixed. When you visualize learn to switch your palms to rein for the stops, bear in mind the clock image from half 1 of this assortment.

With the clock face over your horse’s physique—and 12 o’clock at his ears—you’ll switch your palms in the 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 right reining stop, the horse’s once more must hunch into the stop whereas his hind hooves attain in the direction of the doorway hooves. The horse’s entrance legs must switch freely as a result of the horse skates into the stop.

The horse’s neck naturally telescopes out and proper all the way down to counterbalance his weight happening inside the once more. There may be a pleasing arc from the nostril to the hind end. Ralston warns that you just simply don’t want a great deal of rein or bit contact—little to none.

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

When you’re in a position to stop, make sure to not stress your shoulders once more. In its place, the way in which by which the horse strikes must ship your shoulders once more—just like a jet taking off propels passengers once more into their seats. This relaxed, pure once more place implies that the horse is transferring 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 elevate your hand for delicate contact. As you sit the stop, stage your belt buckle to the sky and preserve 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 differ speeds on command are always necessary.

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 additional abruptly to allow him to differ directions when the cow turns.

“If the cow and horse switch down the fence then stop on the similar time, the horse would preserve transferring down the fence whereas the cow modified directions and acquired away,” Ralston says. “The reining stop with sliders is simply not wise for working cows.”

Ralston says that for a well-trained horse, the only method to vary from a reining stop to the stop needed for cattle work is to differ the sneakers. Ralston chooses once more sneakers for cattle work that let the horse to maneuver by the use of the footing collectively together with his hind hooves nevertheless which have additional 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 one other method, your house stays the similar. As you progress with the cow down the fence, you want your shoulder, hip, and heel to align.

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

Bear in mind that in each stop, your physique place should be relaxed collectively along with your shoulders once more. For many who lean forward on a cow flip, chances are you’ll get thrown forward whereas the horse tries to differ course. In that case, the horse has your entire weight on his entrance end—making his job robust. In its place, preserve your shoulders barely once more to be ready for any western stop.

This textual content appeared inside the November/December 2022 state of affairs of Horse Illustrated journal. Be taught the first installment of this assortment, demonstrating the excellence in turns between reining and cow horse programs.