Sitting the Reining Horse Stop
One of the most difficult situations to keep your seat in, is when your horse stops using his front feet - so I will start
with that. There are many reasons why a horse will use his front feet while stopping. First, let me describe a good
stop. A good stop starts with a good lead departure, including proper face, shoulder, and hip control. Once loping,
speed control becomes necessary. A constant acceleration in a straight line and a subtle stop command should
lead to a soft sliding stop with no anticipation. Your horse is supposed to look forward to stopping. This will help
with all of the steps to a good stop.
If your horse is running hurried, or scared, or fading left or right he will either stop stiff or bracey, or not stop at all
until only the fence stops him. If your horse anticipates the stop by trying to stop on his own or slightly before you
ask him to, or if your horse slows down before a stop, all of these things will lead to a bracey stop making it difficult
to sit well.
If your horse tries to stop before you ask him, the best way to fix that is to take him to the fence. Let the fence stop
him. Let him rest for a minute and go again until he will go all the way to the fence without trying to stop before
you. If he slows down before he stops, this also causes a problem. If you watch a horse accelerate, the front end
rises slightly which puts the majority of the horse's balance on his hind quarters. He has already started into the
stopping position even before you've asked him to stop-which is where you want him before you say "whoa".
However, if he slows down before he stops, he will lose that position or "frame". His balance will shift back to the
front end and become bracey again. You will also lose the momentum you had that your horse can use as leverage
to help him slide.
There is one more thing that can make your horse stop bracey and that would be pulling on the reins as a cue to
stop him. If a horse is not completely confident in, or respectful of the bridle, he will defend himself by stiffening
up his jaw, then poll, then neck, then shoulders, then front feet, then hollow out his back. All of which will make it
impossible for him to continue using his back, loins, stifles, and hocks. If your horse does not respect the bridle
when you pull it won't mean enough to stop him. He will just bounce along and run through the stop, pulling on
your hands. So it is very important that your horse stops from the word "whoa". And after every good effort he
should be allowed to rest for a minute or two. This will help with his confidence and give him a reason to try to
stop. He will soon look forward to stopping. Once you understand all of this and your horse is running well to a
stop and responding to "whoa", we can get to your seat.
A good seat for a sliding stop starts as soon as you begin your rundown. What I do is sit back on my pockets and
tip my shoulders slightly behind center (or balance point) as part of my cue for him to accelerate down the arena. I
also squeeze with my calves and let him run. It is important at this point to look down the arena past where you
want him to stop. If he is still not running take him all the way to the fence and try again, being sure to keep him
straight and soft. When you have him running good ask him to stop by saying "whoa" and taking your calves away
from his sides. As he begins to slide hold on with your knees. The really important part is what you do with your
upper body. Don't throw your shoulders back. By tipping your shoulders back in the beginning of your run you
won't be as likely to throw them back at the stop. The next step is to collapse your middle, go down instead of
back. Try to ride your horse's hind quarters into the ground.
All of these steps are very important. As far as the seat goes:
1. Tip your shoulders back at the beginning of the run.
2. Squeeze with your calves to accelerate.
3. Don't pull him to a stop, release with your calves.
4. Hold on with your knees.
5. Say "whoa".
6. Collapse your middle down, and
7. Enjoy your stop.
One last thing, if your horse ignores your commands it is ok [at this point] to pull on him, but don't jerk on him.
Just pull him to a stop, reverse and repeat the steps. It won't be long until he is stopping well and so are you.
Property of Wilson Performance Horses
|