Re: RC: Endurance & REining

[diane knapper <knaptyme@uswest.net>]

Those comments seem pretty short sighted.  Whoever said your
horse was going to be happiest going down the trail all the
time.  Every animal needs variation in their life, whether
it be humans, dogs, cats or horses.

Just because reining involves a different aspect of sport
horses doesn't mean that a horse can not do both and still
be a good 'saddle companion'.

The benefits of cross training in dressage have been
discussed extensively on ridecamp.  And if I remember
correctly, most people where in favor of it.  As I see it,
reining is another form of dressage.  Your horse is going to
learn to balance, respond to your commands, and use his
hindquarters.  That comes in mighty handy when we go up and
down some of these really big hills in endurance.

I would much rather sit down and watch a reining competiton
than a dressage.  Maybe, that is based on my
upbringing....western.  However, I afford a well trained
dressage horse the same amount of respect that I give a well
trained reining horse.  And of course, not to mention a well
conditioned and trained endurance horse.

Diane


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