Comments on: Know when your horse is ready to speed up

By: tipster

tipster — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 20:38:36 +0000

First I would rule out any unsoundness and dental problems before going any further. It sounds like something is bothering him or you are going too fast too soon. Maybe he doesn’t like doing them 3 times every time you ride. Maybe you could try just doing them a couple times a week. Remember he needs to be able to do it perfect going slow before you go any faster. I would slow down and go to the vet.

By: tipster

tipster — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 20:28:05 +0000

This isn’t Joyce, but Michelle with Free Barrel Racing Tips. Because your horse was working so well, for so long and then a sudden change I would take your horse to a reputable horse vet. He could have pulled or tore something deep when he grabbed that shoe. Everything you are describing are symptoms of some sort of unsoundness.

By: Gail Stevens

Gail Stevens — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 04:13:54 +0000

Hi Ms Joyce, I was wondering if your could help me with my barrel horse? He’s now 12 and has been running the barrel pattern since about 4. He always got down on his rear and just pivoted around the barrel. So pretty he would at times try to go out the same way he came in. A real athletic ! one day while practicing he pulled his front left shoe going around the second barrel, and now has stopped working the 2nd & 3rd. Awesome 1st, but on the back side of 2nd & 3rd he is breaking down almost to a walk to make the turn. What can you suggest? Also he’s getting real chargie and dropping his shoulder and not wanting to give me his head! I going but to slow work, but what can I do to build his confidence again?

By: Kayla

Kayla — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 05:47:08 +0000

My horse picked up poles really well and loves to run them, but we barely ever worked on them. We worked barrels at least 3 times every time i came out and then i had to go somewhere for 2 weeks and when i came back he ran a near perfect pole run and troted the same way he had on barrels. He trots the first 2 fine and wants to run home but if i ask him to go any faster around the 1st 2 he kinda freaks out and swearves alot. He’s never done anything but jumping, english, and trail rides before i got him. And he is geting worse and worse about the gate when we go to shows. He backs up and it takes about 2 min for me to make him walk in but he plants all 4 feet if people try to drag him in.

By: Barrelracer551

Barrelracer551 — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 14:57:37 +0000

Great tip

By: tipster

tipster — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 01:24:54 +0000

Get her in great shape and look after her really well. Take your time, you can’t make a really good barrel horse quickly and you will regret it if you go too fast too soon. Be her coach and build her confidence one solid run at a time. The speed will come.

By: Jordan

Jordan — Sun, 25 Sep 2011 17:12:37 +0000

Im going to be starting a almost 13 year old mare on barrels sounds stuiped but its all i have to be able to run barrels on..she has ran them befor but i was just wondering how to get her to go faster and get a qwicker time.

By: tipster

tipster — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 18:07:24 +0000

That’s great Nancy, I’m glad you are enjoying the tips.

Michelle

By: tipster

tipster — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 18:06:20 +0000

Your are welcome Nancy, I’m glad you are enjoying the tips!

Michelle

By: nancy doner

nancy doner — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 17:49:25 +0000

Thank you so much for sharing your info I have a standardbred that I’m training for barrels and poles and we are starting out at the rodeos so any helpful tips are greatly appreciated. Thanks Again Nancy Doner