STORY AND PHOTOS BY ABIGAIL BOATWRIGHT
Reining combines speed, control and exciting maneuvers that will make your heart pound. Each of the moves in a reining pattern is designed to show how athletic and well-trained your horse is. The sport originated from the maneuvers of a good ranch horse working cattle. You have a chance to score a 0 for an average maneuver or up to + 1½ for an excellent one. If you or your horse mess up, you’ll be penalized with a negative score for that maneuver, from - ½ to - 1½. Does this sport intrigue you? Read on to learn more about each maneuver from reining trainer Nathan Piper.