The sliding stop is reining’s signature maneuver. the horse runs at top speed down the length of the arena, and then on a loose rein, lowers his hindquarters to the dirt as his front feet pedal for another 10 to 20 feet until he completely stops, sending dirt spraying in his wake like a jet-skier.
This move wows crowds, gains points from the judges, and most of all, it’s fun to ride. But before you ask your horse for a big sliding stop, check out these tips from expert trainer Casey Deary on how to correctly cue for and ride this move.
Deary is a reining trainer from Weatherford, Texas, with multiple world championships, National Reining Horse Association Futurity titles, National Reining Breeders Classic titles and multiple other major reining championships.