10/ JUNE 2024 THE RIDER Pro and Non-Pro Reiner Article Series
The Benefits of Exposing Our Horses to Different Disciplines
June is J&J Reining
Inc’s first show of the year. We always get excited – even though we have started to ride more in preparation for show season, and have already been to our first Reining show, when we ride the default thought is often on those few minutes in the show pen. Rationally we also
know that spending hours and days and weeks and months focussed only what happens in those four min- utes, can become boring and repetitive for the rider and especially the horse, who re- ally has no idea when or if ever they will set foot in a competition arena.
Jen: In May, I took my team (Jonas Performance Horses) to the Ontario Paint Horse Club show at Ancaster, to
try our hand at their all- breed ranch classes. Some- thing different from the reining pen for us and our horses. We all had a blast riding in the ranch reining, ranch riding, ranch trail, and ranch conformation classes! There are multiple
benefits of exposing our horses to different disci- plines.
1) It relieves boredom
and exercises curiosity, stimulating the brain for both horse and rider. Horses are naturally curious, so giv- ing them additional stimula- tion helps them develop their intelligence. Training is a source of mental enrich- ment, like puzzles are for humans, and this prevents mental stagnation for the horse with exposure to vari- ous challenges and new ex- periences. Putting our horses through a different discipline can also give them an avenue to learn and showcase their problem- solving skills. Through the training sessions, as the horses get exposed to differ- ent challenges, they learn to analyze, adapt their re- sponses, and make decisions based on their understand- ing. 2) Better physical fitness. Training a horse is not about how long or hard you drill the horse on the same ma- neuver over and over again but how well you can get a result. A well-rounded horse training program targets dif- ferent and specific muscle groups, promotes balanced muscle development, and reduces the risks of injuries.
Furthermore, as horses im- prove their physical fitness, they can execute all move- ment gracefully and pre- cisely. 3) More exposure en- courages safe behavior. When horses are exposed to various environments, situ- ations, and objects, it helps reduce their fear responses and reactivity. A well- trained horse is less likely to panic or be spooked, mak- ing them safer to handle.
4) And for me, most im- portant is the expansion of your relationship with your horse into something deep and trusting. This bond forms over time because of the mutual understanding and harmonious working dynamics which help both of you feel safe.
Sharon: As part of Jen’s group of clients I took my horse to the Paint show – as he is still mentally quite
Shari Irwin
2024 Judges Committee (905) 440-5941 email:
shari_irwin@hotmail.com
Kelly Lehman Secretary: Kit Bartle 2024 Sr. Judges
Dave Black 36 Woodhouse Ave., Port Dover, ON N0A 1G0 C: (905) 921-0359 Email:
diamondbquarterhorses@gmail.com
Cally Jo Fritz 21 Taylor Blvd., Elliot Lake, ON P5A 3H5 H: (226) 289-8563, C: (519) 280-8169 Email:
callygene@gmail.com
Shari Irwin 166 Gleasons Corner Road, Castleton, ON K0K 1M0 Cell (905) 440-5941
shari_irwin@hotmail.com
Kelly Lehman 895893 Oxford Rd. 3, Drumbo, ON N0J 1G0 C: (519) 807-2660. E:
maddavery@gmail.com
(519) 807-2660 email:
maddavery@gmail.com (519) 732-0263 email:
drumbolady@hotmail.ca
Website:
www.whao.org
Anne Marinacci 65 Swayze Court, Smithville, ON L0R 2A0 905-957-5619 Email:
annemarinacci@hotmail.com
Erin O’Drowski 253 James St. N., PO Box 2767, St. Mary’s ON N4X 1A5 C: (226) 377-0244 Email:
eodrowsk@gmail.com
Kris Simpson 711 Middletown Rd., RR #1, Waterdown, ON L8B 1P7 Cell: (519) 831-7299, email:
richlandshowhorses@gmail.com
Don Stauffer 104 - 44 Ferndale Dr. S., Barrie, ON L4N 2V1 Cell (519) 604-8864
thestauffers48@gmail.com
Robyn Storey 6-120 Dudhope Ave., Cambridge, ON N1R 4T7 (519) 620-9015, Cell: (519) 841-3934,
gatorrocks@hotmail.com
Brenda Thompson 284 Whitmore Dr.,Waterloo, ON N2K 2N5 (519) 884-4050, Cell (519) 577-7320
bmctearnen@yahoo.ca
Mike Tucker 1581 Maple St. N., R.R. #4, Fenwick, ON L0S 1C0 (905) 892-5610, Cell (905) 984-1581 Email:
m.tucker1378@gmail.com
Jr. Judges
Judy Gaspardy 196 Churchill Rd. S., Action, ON L7J 2J7 (c) 905-875-9534 Email:
sunfireminis@yahoo.ca
Anna Turnbull PO Box 131, Gores Landing, ON K0K 2E0 P: (905) 376-4807 Email:
1anna.turnbull@gmail.com
Celebrating 72 Years!
young the more exposure to different environments the better. I am also a fan of trail riding and took my horse to the Dundas Valley Conser- vation area a couple of times last year – it’s always help- ful to see how they are going to react when some- thing odd comes in to view. Like a riderless horse (that was scary) or people on bikes (what are those!) your horse learns to trust you as together, you navigate the different landscapes. And trust in the team is para- mount when going to show.
Pictures are of people from Jonas Performance Horses doing things other than Reining!
————— Pro and Non-Pro arti-
cles written by Jen Jonas of Jonas Performance Horses (Pro) and Sharon Jones of Be A Better You (Non-Pro). Together, they are J&J Rein- ing Inc. Both Jen and Sharon
are believers in continual learning – if you’re not learning you’re not grow- ing.
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