Equestrian Reining: History, Competition & Rules – [Discipline Guide]

Reining
History
Sport Organizations
Competition
Training
Equipment
Horses

Reining is a Western equestrian discipline that showcases the skills and abilities traditionally needed by working ranch horses.

Sometimes compared to the English discipline of dressage, reining competition involves riders piloting horses through precise patterns in a competition arena. The explosive stops, spins, and runs make reining a fast-paced and thrilling equestrian event.

While the discipline originated from humble roots on working ranches, modern reining is a popular equestrian sport that draws big crowds and bigger prize money. Keep reading to learn more about reining and the equine athletes at the heart of this exciting Western discipline.

What is Reining?

Reining is a judged Western equestrian event that evaluates the training and athleticism of ranch-type horses within a riding arena. In reining competition, the horse and rider perform a pre-selected pattern from memory.

These patterns include:

Large fast circles
Small slow circles
Flying lead changes
360-degree spins
Rollbacks
Sliding stops

Judges score every part of the ride based on technical execution.

History of Reining

For centuries, ranchers in the American West relied on horses to manage cattle on the open range. Working on horseback allowed ranchers to move, sort, brand, and doctor animals without fences or barns to hold them.

Working ranch horses had to be fast, nimble, and well-trained. Horses frequently needed to stop and quickly change directions to chase after cows. Since cowboys needed their hands for other tasks, they trained their horses to respond to different light aids.

The sport of reining emerged from cowhands challenging each other to competitions that tested which horses could turn faster, stop harder, and slide farther. Other countries with ranching traditions that managed livestock on open ranges, such as Australia, developed similar sports.

Those ranching traditions blended into the sport of reining as the discipline spread worldwide. The modern format seen in the show arena still focuses on skills once used on the open range. ^[1]

Reining Sport Organizations

The discipline’s global popularity allowed it to become a recognized FEI sport. However, the FEI removed reining in 2021 due to the different business models of the international governing body and national reining sports organizations.

NRHA

The National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) is a non-profit organization based in the United States that sets the standards for reining within the country and abroad. Their mission aims to promote reining horses and western horsemanship worldwide.

AQHA

NRHA collaborates with AQHA, the American Quarter Horse Association. The AQHA is the breed registry for American Quarter Horses, the most common breed used in reining competitions.

USEF

Although reining is no longer an FEI sport, the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF), the national governing body for horse sport in the United States, recognizes it as one of 18 national disciplines.
Other national USEF disciplines include:

Eventing
Jumping
Dressage
Para Equestrian
Endurance
Vaulting
Driving
English Pleasure
Carriage Pleasure Driving
Hunter
Hunter/Jumping Seat Equitation
Parade Horse
Roadster
Saddle Seat
Western
Western Dressage

Equestrian Canada

Equestrian Canada (EC) is the Canadian national governing body for horse sport. EC recognizes the Western equestrian disciplines of

Reining
Gymkhana
Western performance

Reining Competition

Reining competitions use patterns and maneuvers to showcase skills desired in ranch-type horses within the confines of a show arena. Judges evaluate the quality of the ride and assign scores to determine the winner.

Patterns

Reining patterns are a series of maneuvers horses and riders must perform from memory in competition. Combinations complete the entire pattern at a lope, a gait known in other disciplines as the canter.

There are 20 reining patterns in the 2024 NRHA handbook. Two of those patterns, Pattern A and Pattern B, are only used for Youth and Para competitions. Patterns 1 through 18 are used in standard competition. ^[2]

Reining competition arenas have markers on the fence at the center and 15 m (49 ft) from each end wall to guide riders while performing the pattern.

In Freestyle classes, riders perform patterns to music.

Maneuvers

Each pattern includes seven to eight maneuvers. These maneuvers include:

Stops: The horse stops from a lope, bringing the hind legs under his body and sliding on his hind feet. The sliding stop is a classic reining maneuver where the horse accelerates before coming to a complete halt and allowing the hind hooves to slide several feet.
Spins: Horses complete a series of 360-degree turns around an inside hind leg. This leg is stationary, while the outside hind and front legs provide propulsion.
Circles: The horse performs large, fast circles at a near gallop and small, slow circles at a controlled lope. These maneuvers demonstrate accuracy, balance, and responsiveness.
Rollbacks: Horses change direction by running to a stop, rolling the shoulders 180 degrees in the opposite direction by turning over the hocks, and departing in a lope.
Lead Changes: The horse changes the leading foreleg when changing direction at the lope without breaking gait. Performing changes at speed improves the score, but judges prioritize precision.
Rundown: Horses gallop along the side of the arena while maintaining at least a 6 m (20 ft) distance from the wall. Rundowns are required before a sliding stop or rollback.
Back: The horse backs quickly in a straight line for at least 3 meters (10 ft). The maneuver should be smooth, and the horse should stop when asked.
Pause: Horses are asked to stand still and settle between pattern maneuvers. Although not judged directly, impatience in pauses leads to penalties.

Scoring

Judges begin evaluating a ride as soon as the combination enters the arena. Every combination enters the ring with a score of 70. Ending with this score indicates an average performance.

The score changes throughout the performance as the judge adds or subtracts points. Each maneuver receives a score from minus 1.5 (extremely poor quality) to plus 1.5 (excellent quality).

Increased difficulty and finesse add points, while loss of control and inaccuracy take away points. No points are given or taken away if the combination correctly performs the maneuver with no additional degree of difficulty.

Although speed and explosiveness can enthrall the crowd, the fastest horse doesn’t always win.

Events

Reining competitions sometimes feature aged events, in which horses of a specific age compete against others at a similar level of training. Examples include the NRHA Derby and Futurity.

The NRHA Futurity is the industry’s pinnacle event, featuring top 3-year-olds from around the world. The NRHA Derby is the second-largest event, with classes for horses from 4 to 6 years old. Both events offer millions of dollars in prize money.

Reining Training

The basics of reining horse training still resemble the foundational Western horsemanship cowboys use to train reliable working ranch horses. Many of the skills needed to work cows also improve rideability for modern pleasure and performance horses.

Riders of all ages and experience can participate in reining competitions. NRHA provides resources that help riders new to the sport find local professionals to learn from.

Even if you don’t compete, training the maneuvers and patterns found in reining can help riders develop their horse’s rideability and strength. Trainers develop reining horses systematically to gain confidence in their rider and master the skills seen in the arena.

Reining Equipment

Reining horses and riders use equipment and attire that traces back to the sport’s Western roots.

Horse Tack

Horses must wear a Western saddle and bridle without a noseband. A bosal hackamore or snaffle bit is allowed on some young horses, but most reining competitions require curb bits. Riders must give all rein commands with only a single hand while using a curb.

Some maneuvers can increase the risk of the horse knocking and injuring himself. Horses typically wear splint boots, bell boots on their front legs, and skid boots on their hind legs.

Rider Attire

Riders must wear jeans, a long-sleeved shirt and cowboy boots. Riders often wear chaps over their jeans. Gloves are optional.

Safety helmets are permitted but not required, and many riders still opt to wear hats instead. Studies show helmet use is significantly lower in Western disciplines than in English disciplines. Not wearing a helmet can increase the risk of severe head injury if reiners have an accident. ^[3]

Reining Horses

While any horse can compete in reining, horses descended from the original breeds developed to work on ranches dominate the sport. All horses need good care to thrive, but the athletic demands of reining require special consideration for managing and feeding these horses.

Reining Horse Breeds

The vast majority of horses used in reining belong to stock horse breeds, which include breeds explicitly developed to work with cattle and other livestock. Working ranch and Western performance horses that work cattle are also called cow horses.

Breeders needed agile, intelligent horses that responded quickly to the rider’s aids. These horses also needed strong work ethics, a calm temperament, and good cow sense. All of these attributes translate directly to the maneuvers seen in modern reining competitions.

Powerful hindquarters needed to work cattle also hold the position of a sliding stop or rollback, while the coordination required to traverse the open range enables proper spins and lead changes.

Stock horse breeds include:

Some breed organizations, such as the AQHA, offer breed-specific reining competitions.

The ideal reining horse also has a balanced conformation and correct legs. Reining maneuvers increase the strain on the tendons and ligaments of the legs, so incorrect conformation can increase the risk of injury. ^[4]

Studies show that specialized breeding for different disciplines has led to significant differences in performance between Quarter Horses competing in reining compared with other Western sports. These results suggest horses with specialized breeding for reining have a higher likelihood of competitive success. ^[4]

Managing Reining Horses

Western performance horses have busy travel and competition schedules. This intense lifestyle can increase stress in reining horses. One study of eight Quarter Horses found reining training sessions led to elevated cortisol levels. ^[5]

Performance horses still have the same needs as their wild ancestors. Free exercise and natural grazing behaviors during daily turnout can help decrease stress and reduce the risks of health problems in these horses. ^[6]

The athletic exertion required for reining also increases the risk of musculoskeletal injury. Reining horses are predisposed to tendon and ligament injuries, bone bruises, and other causes of lameness due to the high speeds, short stops and fast turns required in this sport. ^[7]

Following a training schedule that provides adequate time for recovery and avoiding over-schooling maneuvers can help reduce injury risks. Regular farrier care is also essential for keeping reining horses sound.

Some reining horses have unique shoes on their hind feet, allowing their legs to slide with less resistance. These shoes are called slide plates, which have wider bars, and are smoother than regular horseshoes.

Work with a team of qualified professionals to develop the best proactive management program to help your reining horse perform at his best.

Feeding Reining Horses

Reining horses need significant amounts of energy to perform the explosive maneuvers found in reining patterns.

While many stock breeds are easy keepers, Western performance horses often have higher energy and protein requirements.

However, feeding too much energy can increase the risk of weight gain, which may cause health issues. Owners can easily mistake excess body fat for muscle mass and may underestimate their horse’s body condition.

Reining horses also need a diet that supports the digestive system to manage the gut health risks linked to competition lifestyles. A forage-based diet balanced to meet your horse’s nutritional needs is the best way to ensure your horse maintains a healthy gastrointestinal tract.

The optimal diet for your performance horse depends on his breed, age, competition schedule, training program, and health history. Work with a qualified equine nutritionist to ensure your horse gets everything he needs.

Want to know if your performance horse’s diet is missing anything? Submit their information online for a free evaluation and consult with our equine nutritionists to develop the best feeding plan to power your next sliding stop.