Training a future reining horse?

Just out of curiosity, when first beaking a horrse to be a future reiner, what to you want them to know once you start reining? (ex. Working off yourseat, neck reining, lightness?)


Thanks :)
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First thing that a reiner it taught is to move every inch of their body. For the first several months this is about all you do with them. First at the walk and then at the trot. I do not care if the horse does not trot for the first month or 2 and I want then very consistent at the trot before they are moved up to the lope. This is not a dash but a marathon.

Where is your horse at in their training right now? Or if a prospect, where are they at? What have you learned about the way you communicate with that horse? When engaging in a sport like reining communication is everything. Like nrha said, you need to be able to move every part of your horses body concisely and consistently.

Good luck in your training. I'm working on getting Sock ready for reining and it's hard work but rewarding and in a way comforting when you and your mount get to know each other so well that everything just comes together. It's a learning experience for both of you, and it will be frustrating at times, but it's so worth it. I did this before with one of my old trainer's horses. He wasn't ever at competition level (back then I didn't have the time), but we got far enough along to have fun with it at home.

Also, keep a trainer in mind that you work well with who can help you if you get really stuck. Many times another set of eyes can help fix the problem!

Better yet, work with a trainer from the beginning. It is easier to do it right the first time rather than fix it. Above all, as NRHA said-don't be in a hurry. For me it is also helpful to have a trainer who has experienced horses for ME to learn on (I was a h/j person) so that I know exactly what to do, and don't mess up my horse.

+1 on the don't be in a hurry. (like the +1 reference?)

I have seen a lot of Horses that were shown too early and before they had a real foundation that they understood. They might make it through a few patterns Ok but it will fall apart at some point down the road if they don't have a clear understanding. The sad thing is that the very natural ones that may have made great competitors can be ruined by pushing them too early.

I think we do that anyway. Look how long it takes to make an upper level Dressage Horse and we have got 3 year olds doing lead changes. Don't get me wrong, it can be done right, but as the folks here have stated wisely, take the help from a Pro, go slooooow, and get them understanding how to control all the body parts.

When I finally figured out that I wasn't going to win the Futurity, it became more important to have a solid Horse that would last a long time and be fun to Show/ride. OK, so it might be a bit of a rationalization...

In the mean time just get him nice , quiet and soft. The finesse of the maneuvers are really added in layers on top of a good foundation.

Best of Luck!

Thought I might put my 2 cents in here . My specialty was reining in college, and I have turned some pretty rank horses into some nice reiners. Let me say, that for me, I find it best if the horse has a relaxed demeanor. You can't have a reiner that is jiggity. I start very slow, enjoying trails, etc.. making sure that every time I turn I use my legs as well. Pretty soon, I don't have to use my hands. Working the horse on different maneuvers is the way to go...not patterns of course except show day. To get a horse to stop with a rear end slide, you need tosit back really well, make straight paths stop at different spots and reward horse for the nice stop. It wont be perfect for months but reward with a rest always. Once the stop is coming along, you can then start adding the roll back to that.. Of course all maneuvers are worked on separately .. for a nice roll back and for spins ,you need to make circles...smaller and smaller until your feeling as though horse is using the rear end like he should. I could go on, but I don't normally do this, and I have way to much information. I think you should get one of Al Dunnings books and read it. He was a great motivator for us at school, taught me alot,,

I like what PLus One said also...do it slow. No rush.. you want a very soft responsive horse for reining because you do NOT want to see the cues from the rider...It has to look effortless! Which it is...in the end!