Another 3 year old Reining Horse Collapses

This Reining Horse collapses in front of the judges, and the crowd is cheering. Are they used to seeing this from show horses?

Is the trainer invested in the horse’s future or just focused on winning the Futurity?

At the National Reining Horse Association Futurity for three-year-old horses, the prize money is now in the millions. Winning a futurity is the key to a full barn full of horses in the following years, and joining an ‘elite’ group of people who have won the major prize. Trainers invest two years in training, some an additional two years in raising the horse, in the pursuit of the money.

It comes down to one final run in front of the judges. They ask the horse to give its all and often push them harder than they have ever done before. The atmosphere is electric, and they can feel the excitement. But do they have the character to know when it’s too much for the horse?

When a reining horse collapses, it shows it has been pushed to far. It’s not just standing on its tail that knocked it over. It’s physically exhausted, and what would normally be a quick recovery from a loss of balance becomes a major issue. This horse was not down for seconds; it was staying down on the ground, and even with encouragement, did not show a desire to stand up again.

Reining horse people think a person giving the horse a pat means it was all good. The horse may have a different opinion.

The public and horsemen across many disciplines are shocked at what happened. The horse refused to get up and had given up.

Watch the video and form your own opinion – remember this horse is just 3yo !! Would you want your horse to end its campaign like this?