newbe at barrel racing
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What do you want advice on? What did you want to know more about?
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I have a barrel gelding that i have been doing barrels off of for like 11 years. We do fairly good. Usually 1D times. So what do u need advice on?
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There is a text speak rule, is there not?
And welcome to the forum! Please type with nice grammar/punctuation and ask away!
I'm a barrel racer too! One tip- get lessons and be sure to rate your horse.
rate- to run your horse once or twice, then walk/trot them for another run, to keep them guessing what you will ask and not be a total hot head in the arena.
And welcome to the forum! Please type with nice grammar/punctuation and ask away!
I'm a barrel racer too! One tip- get lessons and be sure to rate your horse.rate- to run your horse once or twice, then walk/trot them for another run, to keep them guessing what you will ask and not be a total hot head in the arena.
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I would be glad to answer any questions you might have, if you would like to PM me, or just post it on here, which ever you like.
My #1 rule with beginning barrel racers: a)STAY AWAY FROM CLOVERLEAF PATTERNS AND BARRELS! b) get out of the arena and away from the gate and do your flatwork. When you are learning the basics and even up to later in your training, you have absolutely no need to go anywhere NEAR a barrel or cloverleaf, there is too much to work on to waste your time making your horse arena, pattern, and barrel sour. Your horse will thank you and you will have a much better chance at success.
My #1 rule with beginning barrel racers: a)STAY AWAY FROM CLOVERLEAF PATTERNS AND BARRELS! b) get out of the arena and away from the gate and do your flatwork. When you are learning the basics and even up to later in your training, you have absolutely no need to go anywhere NEAR a barrel or cloverleaf, there is too much to work on to waste your time making your horse arena, pattern, and barrel sour. Your horse will thank you and you will have a much better chance at success.
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DO NOT let your horse run away with you. Make sure he/she knows that you are in charge, and you will decide how fast he's gonna go and which way he's gonna run.
A previously mentioned, stay away from the cloverleaf pattern! Get a few barrels and make all sorts of wacky patterns to practice on, keep your horse guessing! I generally do a figure eight pattern but I like to do the Speed Barrel and Sidewinder pattern as well.
Also previously mentiioned, rate the horse. Make sur ehe doesn't take off with you every time he sees a barrel xD
And for the love of god, sit down on your turns. I see so many kids up and ut of the saddle while their turning now that its ridiculous. Sit, lean, and turn. Keep your horse supple to your seat, leg, and vocal cues so you don't have to be hanging on his mouth the entire run. That's how barrel horses get hard mouths.
Ay other questions? Ask em' here ^^
A previously mentioned, stay away from the cloverleaf pattern! Get a few barrels and make all sorts of wacky patterns to practice on, keep your horse guessing! I generally do a figure eight pattern but I like to do the Speed Barrel and Sidewinder pattern as well.
Also previously mentiioned, rate the horse. Make sur ehe doesn't take off with you every time he sees a barrel xD
And for the love of god, sit down on your turns. I see so many kids up and ut of the saddle while their turning now that its ridiculous. Sit, lean, and turn. Keep your horse supple to your seat, leg, and vocal cues so you don't have to be hanging on his mouth the entire run. That's how barrel horses get hard mouths.
Ay other questions? Ask em' here ^^
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Check out some Charmayne James DVD's. Full of information.
"A good barrel horse only has a certain number of runs in them."
-Charmayne James.
So only RUN them sometimes. Definitely not everday. Make sure your horse is on the right lead, sit at the turns, and keep a good distance away from the barrels. The barrel should be like a dot in the center of your circle, and never pull your horse in farther toward the barrel.
Also, never look at the barrel. There is so much info! Specific questions would help!
"A good barrel horse only has a certain number of runs in them."
-Charmayne James.
So only RUN them sometimes. Definitely not everday. Make sure your horse is on the right lead, sit at the turns, and keep a good distance away from the barrels. The barrel should be like a dot in the center of your circle, and never pull your horse in farther toward the barrel.
Also, never look at the barrel. There is so much info! Specific questions would help!
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Pretty much yes. What skill level is your mare now? She needs to be able to do a lot of maneuvers before you run barrels with her for her to be successful and last in the sport.
Barrel training has very little to do with barrels and more to do with control, discipline, complicated maneuvering and proper conditioning.
You will want to find books and dvd's by Martha Josey (if you cannot find a good trainer to work with and mentor under, which would be my first bit of advice), she is amazing.
Stay away from younger racers like Sherry Cervi, they skip a lot of the actual horsemanship that goes with barrel racing, they are also the ones you see whippin' and kicking the crap outta their horses, not rating and moving around barrels with dropped shoulders.
Barrel training has very little to do with barrels and more to do with control, discipline, complicated maneuvering and proper conditioning.
You will want to find books and dvd's by Martha Josey (if you cannot find a good trainer to work with and mentor under, which would be my first bit of advice), she is amazing.
Stay away from younger racers like Sherry Cervi, they skip a lot of the actual horsemanship that goes with barrel racing, they are also the ones you see whippin' and kicking the crap outta their horses, not rating and moving around barrels with dropped shoulders.
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Keep away from the pattern! I realize you've probably had that drilled into your head already, but I haven't emphasized it enough for my liking yet!
Anyway, as for the patterns:
The cloverleaf is your standard barrel racing pattern. Ya know, the three barrels in a triangle and stuff.
Speed Barrels.....this is more of a Gymkhana events. You weave to the end of the three barrels, then weave back out. That easy ^^
And Sidewinder is actually only one of my Saddle Club's events I think, so I doubt you'll run into it.....but it's basically a sideways speed barrels. It's three barrels set up sideways and you run in, weave sideways, turn at the end, weave back and run to the timers again. -shrug-
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^^^^
I think you shouldn't stay completely away from the pattern. Maybe go over it a few times a day at a walk or trot or even canter to enforce it. Once your horse does it well, move on. I agree partially with staying away, simply because so many people run run run the pattern everyday and the horse gets burnt out. Horses are just like people in that way- they get bored with repition.
Especially really smart horses that enjoy a challenge. That's why I do all sorts of shows with my 4 y/o... she has the heart to compete but is too smart for the same thing every day. She does everything from dressage & showjumping to barrels & showmanship.
I think you shouldn't stay completely away from the pattern. Maybe go over it a few times a day at a walk or trot or even canter to enforce it. Once your horse does it well, move on. I agree partially with staying away, simply because so many people run run run the pattern everyday and the horse gets burnt out. Horses are just like people in that way- they get bored with repition.
Especially really smart horses that enjoy a challenge. That's why I do all sorts of shows with my 4 y/o... she has the heart to compete but is too smart for the same thing every day. She does everything from dressage & showjumping to barrels & showmanship.
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