There is a lot of sliding stop advice available online (and in the stands at reining or reined cow horse shows), where people will enthusiastically talk about the advantages of fencing your horse and emphasize the significance of running in a straight line.
Undoubtedly, phrases such as “securing the stop” will be spoken.
All of that is valuable and worth pursuing. However, my stops continued to lean towards the harshness of a jackhammer rather than the smoothness of gliding.
There are 5 unusual tips that can actually assist in mastering reining rundowns and stops.
5 Weird Reining Stop Tips That Actually Work
Tip #1: Please, prepare for departure
When was the most recent occurrence that your horse heard the announcement to prepare for departure over the intercom before its race?
To have a good stop, the starting point needs to be good.
As you consider this text, ponder each step, rephrase it, and ensure the meaning remains unchanged. Avoid incorporating fresh details or eliminating information. Interrogate your thoughts…
Are you able to achieve a smooth and clear transition from a halt to a canter?
If your legs have no effect on your horse, you will be in an incorrect position right from the beginning. Rather than sitting back and deep, with your feet positioned towards your horse’s shoulders, you will be using your reins to try and achieve a canter, while also leaning forward and kicking.
Does your horse immediately sit on his haunches when taking the first step?
If your horse is engaged in a flat and slow-energy canter, it will never result in a +1 maneuver. It is impossible for your horse to generate power from the hindquarters and increase velocity if it is stretched out and carrying more weight on the front legs.
Is your horse aligned properly between your reins and legs?
When considering rundowns, it is important to think about your body position. Maintaining straightness is crucial. It is essential to be mindful if your horse is avoiding your leg, ducking their shoulders, or standing unevenly. As you increase speed, these minor details become more significant.
The point is that if your departure is better, you will have less to “fix” during your rundown and stop.
Tip #2: Tree tops and boot tops
It makes sense that if you look left, your horse will go left, and if you look right, your horse will go right, as your horse follows your eyes.
When you look towards the horizon, locate a tree top and focus your eyes on it.
The same guidance is applicable in a vertical direction as well.
If you direct your gaze downwards, your horse will move in a downward direction. Conversely, if you direct your gaze upwards, your horse will move in an upward direction.
To see it, you have to look very high, like up at the tops of trees in the far distance.
If you are sitting inside, direct your gaze towards the highest point of the roofline located at the opposite end.
While considering your leg movements, be mindful that fully extending your leg to encourage your horse to move forward may result in being unable to maintain the correct position for stopping.
By considering the use of the top edge of your boots for gently “wagging,” you can keep your seat and leg position secure during the rundown.
Following a smooth departure (refer to tip #1), the phrase “tree tops and boot tops!” should be the subsequent thought in your mind.
Tip #3: Don’t think stop, think slide
I had this moment of enlightenment during a reined cow horse clinic with Zane Davis, who is an NRCHA Million Dollar Rider.
Zane observed multiple teeth-rattling chunkers from the students before directing his young horses towards the arena, where they executed a magnificent sliding stop.
While returning to the group and engaging in a conversation about his approach, he mentioned this phrase.
Instead of halting, consider transitioning smoothly.
Contrary to what may seem logical, it is counterproductive to consider stopping at the end of your rundown. This is because it is not the desired outcome for our horses.
Our intention is not to deactivate or hinder the power and forward movement of the horse. On the contrary, we want to enhance and facilitate it.
Our aim is to maximize the progress we have achieved so far in the rundown and direct it towards a seamless and continuous glide forward.
When we think “stop,” it causes us to unconsciously shut down our forward motion, close our hip joints, and brace. On the other hand, when we think “slide,” we sit back and down, open our hip joints, and continue moving forward with our horses throughout the entire maneuver.
Tip #4: Gun your motor boat
For riders who are visual learners, this tip is specifically designed for you. Once you have established a canter that is straight and forward, it is then appropriate to increase your speed.
If your horse does not feel like a motor boat, refrain from requesting the stop.
The horse doesn’t just get “faster,” but the best rundowns consistently gain speed throughout the entire way.
Horses that maintain weight on their haunches, propel forward and upward, and have light shoulders when they halt receive a score of +1.
If horses run with a flat, faster pace and suddenly dive onto their front ends when stopping, their riders will have to bear the cost of an expensive visit to the dentist.
When you request your horse to increase its energy, imagine accelerating the engine on a motor boat.
The engine located in the rear of the boat is responsible for generating all the power. This power is so significant that the front end of the boat rises higher as its speed increases. You desire a similar sensation when approaching a sliding stop with your horse.
It is particularly beneficial to remember this visualization while training at home rather than during a competition. If you do not sense the sensation of being on a motor boat, refrain from requesting a stop. Instead, continue riding until you reach the fence, complete another lap, or commence once more.
Tip #5: Buh-bye bridle
It may sound strange, but practicing stops without a bridle is considered one of the best ideas.
By practicing bridleless, you can acquire the ability to maintain your stopping position without resorting to pulling on the reins or leaning forward.
Horse Training Tips
Your horse’s typical conduct is usually connected to a reining horse that has been sufficiently exhibited to begin foreseeing the reining patterns. He is uneasy about being showcased and is in a rush to complete the pattern.
The unfortunate truth is that once they reach this state, it will never be possible to completely “repair” it. Nevertheless, you should be capable of “handling” it.
If you had paid attention to this behavior from the beginning, you would have been able to prevent your horse from deteriorating so much.
Your only option at this point is to enroll in multiple classes and correct his behavior whenever he is not performing properly. Participate in small schooling shows until you are able to effectively manage the situation. In bigger reinings, they offer a “paid practice” opportunity. Utilize this by attending and taking the opportunity to train him.
When at home, avoid assembling a complete pattern. Instead, focus on fatiguing him and then allow him to stand still and take a break for a number of minutes after performing a maneuver.
The aim is to consistently keep him in a state of uncertainty, preventing him from predicting any future events.
When attending the shows, it is important to ensure that you spend enough time riding him beforehand to exhaust him. Ride him consistently for a few hours until he is actively seeking a break.
It seems like you might be treating him too cautiously. When he intentionally makes a mistake, inform him that you have zero tolerance for such behavior. Interrupt him and rectify his mistake. Reiterate to him that he is responsible for fulfilling his duties as a horse, and emphasize your serious attitude towards it.
