Barbara has been either competeing or just enjoying the sport of reining for years. These horses are well bread and trained to perform a precise pattern of circles, spins and sliding stops. All work is done at a lope. Originating from working cattle, reining is often described as a Western form of dressage riding, as it requires the horse to be responsive and in tune with its rider, whose aids should not be easily seen, and judges the horse on its ability to perform a set pattern of movements. The horse should be willingly guided or controlled with little or no apparent resistance and dictated to completely.
Because these horses are so well trained and responsive she enjoys using them in Equine Therapy. While the therapy is mostly done on the ground, it's a pleasure to be around well mannered and respectful horses.
Barbara competing in 2008 in Jacksonville