A Good Reining Horse
ANY sound, rideable horse can do reining. However, there are certain factors one should examine when choosing a horse for reining. First, a list of what you actually want from your reiner should be compiled. Do you want to show? If the answer here is no, then just about any horse will do. Be sure to consider your experience level and confirm the horse's current and long term soundness with a vet before buying. If you do want to show, at what level are you considering? Locally, with a breed organization, with the NRHA? Local showers could do well with any sort of horse, but keep in mind that judges often have biases to certain breeds, even in open-breed classes. Showing with a breed organization will require a horse of a certain breed, obviously. High-level NRHA, FEI and USEF reining horses are generally stock type horses. This encompasses the horses that descended from the original ranch horses that reining developed through, such as quarter horses, paint horses and appaloosas. Currently quarter horses dominate the reining world, but paints and appys are making their name.
In an article on myhorse.com western riding and reining trainer, Al Dunning, tells readers how he evaluates potential reining horses.
First, he says, look at the horse's pedigree. "Reining talent comes from genetics, because it's genetics that produce the conformation traits that allow a horse to stop, spin, rollback and change leads with ease." Although Dunning assures that even genetics aren't guarantees, he also says that he won't even consider a horse that isn't bred for the sport. Reining is a particular sport with particular requirements and it's "not fair to spend your time...trying to force a square peg into a round hole." The second thing Dunning looks at is conformation. A horse might be bred well, but if he's put together like he's a junk-yard car, he may not be able to much in the ways of reining. Dunning likes a refined head with a soft eye, a long, slightly arched neck and a clean throat latch which will make it easier for the horse to flex. A light front end with a nicely sloping shoulder and well built hind quarters are important as well. Dunning also emphasizes that the reining horse's legs must be well set under his body so that he has an easy time spinning and stopping. Third, Dunning examines the horse's ability to preform the maneuvers needed for reining patterns. Does the horse stop nice and quick and light? Or does it take him a while to respond? Does he brace with his front end and pull on the bit? What about his spins? His rollbacks? The quality of his canter? Conformation often ties directly into the horse's ability to preform. Therefore, it is commonly seen that a horse with better conformation will also have more ability than a horse with less that ideal conformation. Last, Dunning considers 'heart.' 'Heart', as referred to in the horse-world, is the aspects of the horse's spirit and 'try.' A horse with enough heart could be a better reiner than one with perfect a pedigree, ideal conformation and endless ability. If he doesn't have that 'try', that need-to-please and never-give-up attitude, he won't be half as good as a horse with heart. If you want to read Al Dunning's article in its entirety follow this link. Other Breeds in Reining
Arabians: Reining is definitely growing in the world of Arabian horses, so much so that they have begun the Arabian Reining Horse Association which can be visited here.
Paints: With a similar build and temperament to quarter horses, paint horse are a natural choice for reining. It is not uncommon to see paints winning at NRHA events.
Appaloosa: The versatile and colorful appaloosa has joined the reining world. Like the Arabians, they now have their own reining association, the Appaloosa Reining Horse Association (ApRHA). Visit that page here.
Pony of the Americas: Developed to be a pony-sized western horse with load colors, the POA has now taken the reining as well. The Pony of the Americas Club Incorporated (POAC) now has 9 approved reining patterns.
Morgan: Originally bred to be carriage- type horses, Morgans have now joined the reining world with their National Morgan Reining Horse Association (NMRHA).
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Influential Reining Stallions
Above is 1967 American Quarter Horse stallion, Hollywood Jac 86. He is perhaps the first famous reining horse sire. His attributes are too many to mention on this short page. He was the first NRHA sire in history to accumulate more than 1 MIL in winnings. Jac produced so many exceptional sires and mares that have collectively won more than 6.9 MIL in reining earnings. Jac is now deceased but remains one of the top reining sires ever. A site detailing the life and legacy of Hollywood Jac 86 can be found here.
This perpetually calm and well mannered stallion is 1977 quarter horse, Topsail Cody. He was extremely athletic as well and ended his reining career undefeated, with championships in the NRHA and AQHA. Topsail Cody was the fourth ever million dollar NRHA sire. Here is more information.
This handsome dun colored sire is Hollywood Dun It, son of Hollwood Jac 86. Born in 1983, Dun It became an NRHA million dollar earner in 1987 when he was five years old. He also made it into the NRHA Hall of Fame and has sired multiple AQHA and NRHA champions. Hollywood Dun It sadly passed away in 2005 at 22 years old. Learn more about Hollywood Dun it here.
Seen above is the gorgeous 1983 stallion, Colonel's Smoking Gun. His is known simply as Gunner. At the conclusion of his reining career Gunner had earned more than $170,000 and was inducted into the NRHA Hall of Fame in 2003. He also holds the spot of one of only five 5 MIL NRHA sires. Gunner passed away in 2013.
Note that Gunner was double registered AQHA/APHA (American Paint Horse Association). Many of his offspring are also registered APHA, adding to the growing number of paints in reining competitions. 1985 AQHA stallion Smart Chic Olena was not only a great reiner but also a champion cutting horse. The stallion earned excess of $130,000 in his career and as of 2012 his offspring have amassed more than 1.9 MIL. He was inducted into the NRHA Hall of Fame in 2004 and euthanized after he suffered a stroke in 2012. Info on Smart Chic Olena can be found here.
The 1987 chestnut stallion above is million dollar earner Topsail Whiz. Topsail Whiz is out of another million dollar earner and great reining sire, Topsail Cody. Topsail Whiz was inducted into the NRHA hall of fame and became the only reining sire to have over 9 million dollars in offspring earnings to his name. He was euthanized in 2009. Here is more info on Topsail Whiz.
1989 palomino AQHA stallion Shining Spark was inducted into the NRHA Hall of Fame in 2011. In 2013 he became the 6th ever 4 MIL earning sire. He is a well put together reiner with a fine record, having been ridden by reiners such as Tim McQuay and Bob Loomis. More info here.
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