Reined cow horse is a wild and exciting sport! These horses are serious athletes. They can work a cow and complete a reining pattern while looking good doing it. In most competitions, the rider and horse are judged in herd work, rein work, and cow work. There is a high level of difficulty.

Facts About Reined Cow Horse

  1. Per the National Reined Cow Horse Association, riders have a 2 1/2-minute time limit in the herd work portion. They will enter a group of cattle, separate one, and prevent it from returning. Points are awarded for a confident horse that works on a loose rein.
  2. During the rein work portion, riders ask the horse to perform maneuvers like fast and slow circles, flying lead changes, spins, and sliding stops.
  3. In the third portion, the horse and rider box a cow by holding it at one end of the arena. They must then run down the cow along the long side of the arena. The cow must be turned at least once during this. Finally, the cow is driven to the middle and circled each way. This can be very challenging!
  4. Each of the events are scored with a plus and minus system. The rider and horse are given a 70 to begin with.
  5. The California Spanish vaqueros are given the credit for developing this discipline. They moved Longhorn cattle from Mexico to California. They needed their horses to be obedient, courageous, and athletic.

Who's ready to get out there and try something new!

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