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Itchy Boobs
Posts: 360
 
| I thought this would be a fun topic. Im starting to tune on a few horses to get them ready for some summer rodeos. What are your game plans for tuning up horses on the pattern and getting them back in shape and rodeo ready? |
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 I"m Jealous!
Posts: 1737
 
Location: Benton City, WA | For my horses, I am just focused on getting them exercised and in shape right now. I won't even take them around the barrels at all for probably another month or more. I do a lot of long trotting at first and then build up to loping circles, etc.
But then, the horses that I will rodeo on aren't babies and definitely don't benefit from a lot of tuning. My big thing is keeping them loving barrels by not over practicing them or doing a lot of pattern work if they don't need it. Before I go to my first rodeos, I will make sure their slow work feels good at home, and then probably make 1 run at a jackpot just to make sure that I don't need to work on anything... |
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 Expert
Posts: 2457
| Game plan ... Wishing, hoping, and praying for the snow to go away!
Next, try to ride everyday. My mare is real good about showing me when she is ready for more. So we start slow - working on long trotting and loping with collection (really focusing on pulling her rear under her) and adding more distance every week. This helps build stamina and eventually building to arena work where we long trot, lope, then speed up and rate by my seat.
Then when we're both in shape, we'll work on refining things; like making sure her hip stays up in the turn and she doesn't throw her shoulders. Then we start with jackpots then full competition.
Just my two cents! |
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 Good Grief!
Posts: 6343
Location: Cap'n Joan Rotgut.....alberta | pretty much the same here......my horses dont see a barrel until i have them in shape and even then its stricly trotting the pattern at home......but i spend a lot of time just long trotting and a bit of loping and a sprint thrown in every now and again............i mostly work straight lines very minimal circle work of any kind....i will pole bend around trees on young uns..........
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Tuning em up