I think the horse you have will definitely bring your daughter far in barrel racing but it’s also important when buying a horse to find something that suites your level. Then when you feel you’re ready to move onto a faster horse I suggest owning something that is 10 years or older because those horses are patterned and run a consistant run. They will be pricier but they are worth it. Buying a horse that is seasoned will help her learn how it feels running on a faster horse but has control at all speeds. Then if she wants a training project I would put that out there at that time.

If your daughter has determination to work through this with her horse than by all means go for it as long as she is safe.
I understand if you don’t want to sell this horse so here are some exercises that may help.
1. Sounds like you may have to work on some rating at the pocket of the barrel. Take your horse at a walk at first (then move up to a trot, then lope) when you get to your pocket, sit down and say whoa. When the horse stops ask them to finish the barrel. At a faster speed you will be asking them to slow down one gait. e.g. Trot slowing down to walk. This helps to rate them.
2. At the back of your barrel, pivot, and then go straight to your next barrel. You should finish your pivot facing the next barrel. e.g. If you are turning the barrel to the left, pivot the same direction (to the left). This gets your horse’s butt underneath them which helps for rating.
3. Teach your horse to “frame” or “collect”. Same thing but different wording. You can do this by first teaching them to drop their head on the ground then in the saddle ask them to tuck their head.
On the ground: Place your hand on the poll (between their ears). On each side you will feel a bit of an in dent. Place your fingers there and sqeeze. As soon as they give, release. A horse’s reward is the release.
Another option is to pull down on the lead rope and wiggle. This one doesn’t usually work as well or effeciently.
In the saddle: Wiggle your reins (right finger, left finger, etc.) until they drop/tuck their head. Then release. This helps to have more control.
4. Tip your horse’s nose in and work circles. Do figure eights and then move onto doing figure eights around one barrel and away. THen both barrels. It sounds like your horse gets anxious by the barrel pattern. Do slow work in an arena with the pattern up. Show it that this is a good resting place. Same thing with herd bound horses, work them at the barn and go for a relaxing trail ride away from it.
5. An exercise for anxious horses: When you get to your pocket, pivot away keeping his shoulder up and nose in. When you return to you normal place continue to finish the barrel. Really round him in that barrel if he’s tight. Do circles around the barrel over and over until you see his body relax, then move on.

Horses learn from consistancy so you will have to just work on each exercise a few times a day every day. This way you will get the best results. Stay patient and don’t over work the exercises or pattern because they will get sour or hot (not going into the gate, etc.).
You will get many different opinions because everyone has to make their own “method”. I get tips from professionals and apply them to my training program and use the ones that work best with each individual horse. Remember, you want to work with your horse, not against them. Choose/make a method that works for you and your horse. Find barrel racers that you can relate your method to and ask those people for tips. THis way it isn’t as confusing getting so many different opinions. I see a lot of people frustrated because they’re confused because of getting SO many tips and then they go ask for more.

Another important thing in barrel racing is seat movement and leg signals. Do you understand these? If not, I would strongly reccomend looking into it. I ride my horse with no bridle or saddle (Bridless) and do reining patterns, etc. because I have so much control with just using my seat and leg signals. Seat movement and leg signals come naturally to a horse so you just need to teach yourself! Aren’t they helpful?

Trail riding is one of the best things you can do with a horse. It gets their mind off of working and the commotion gets them de-spooked. There are many other reasons but those are a couple.

As to bits…I feel when I’m going on a trail ride or doing slow work I just use a snaffle. If your horse is still so head strong after working on some exercises and you know that they are doing it well then I would work them in a bit of a stronger bit like a working cowhorse bit. It is twisted and broken in one peice, has short shanks that have 3 rings. One on the top, middle, and bottom. Great bit! You can also go on Charmayne’s website and look at her bits. She describes what the bit is useful for. I would get something that works on the poll and collection for a starter to get your horse nice and soft at all gaits (collected).

If you have any questions or would like more tips, please feel free to reply and I would be more than happy to help!