Reining is a steering competition. Essentially, Reining horses are developed to demonstrate the pinnacle of "willingly guided." When viewed this way, a well trained Reining horse is the western horse that every rider wishes they had.

The American Quarter Horse is by far the most common breed in the sport.

Reining focuses on what we call Dry Work. This consists of maneuvers performed strictly to demonstrate the horse's natural ability and talent. Cutting is specifically the use of a horse to single one cow from a herd and hold it away from the herd.

There are two main reasons everyone sees the low headed Reining horse. First, is that they are bred to move flatter through their body, thus making it easier for them to balance in the fast spins, circles and stops. Secondly, we spend hours strengthening the horse's core and raising its belly and back, thus creating the "draped shape" that everyone sees. The low head is secondary and mostly just a by-product of the horse being round through its belly and bred in a way that makes it's job easier.

Horses are like any other athlete. The time it takes is very individual.

A good Reining horse should be willingly guided and dictated to completely with little or no apparent resistance. Reining horses should be pleasing to watch, of easy movement and and overall, willing to perform a series of manuevers on command.