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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 408
| So... After many years of dreaming about it, I'm finally making the jump from Dressage to barrel racing ( I still will be doing dressage of course but I'm expanding my horizons to say the least lol). For the last two years I have been searching for that special riding partner that will be guiding me through this new adventure. Three weeks ago I got a phone call from my dear friends and neighbors who are very involved in barrel racing saying " we found you the perfect match".... two days later, I was trying this 17 year old, 14.1 hands gelding, a cross between what looks like an Appaloosa and an Arabian, but the cutest thing I've ever seen. He's the kind of horse that you can walk, trot, lope or run the barrels. Very honest and sound and for what I've seen, very quiet at the gate, which to me that IS VERY important. Two weeks later, this cute little thing is gracing in my fields and when I get on him, he's putting a smile in my face. Granted that in the week that he's been living with us, the most I've done with him has been trot the barrels even though yesterday I did get to lope around ONE barrel...still two more to go lol ( I know it doesn't sound like much but for a timid rider like me and not knowing fully what I'm doing....that was a huge accomplishment! Give me a little time and I will be running them like everybody else :-) ). Oh, for the record, I'm also seeking help from barrel racer friends in my area and they are all providing me with great guidance.
This coming Sunday there's a barrel race close to my home. They have training barrels and I'm seriously considering taking him and giving it a go. My only concern is that this little guy has such a big reputation around here for being an excellent mount ( a lot of the barrel racers around my area know of him and they think very highly of him)so considering that I don't know what I'm doing yet, should I still go? All I can do right now is trot the barrels decently. The truth be said, He is so good at what he does and I'm still in the early stages of learning that I'm afraid of ruining him and making him look bad.
Oh, also, what kind of weekly workout schedule do you guys have for your horses? How many times do you ride them at week? What exercises do you do with them? How do you keep them sound? I do a lot of trail riding as well which it does wonders for my dressage mare so hoping to do the same with my little guy but I want to keep hi fit as I'm looking forwards to do as many barrel races as we can possibly manage (in the near future of course)
Anyways, any input, ideas suggestions will be greatly appreciate it :-) I'm so very excited about this new adventure!!!   |
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The Advice Guru
Posts: 6419
 
| If you want to go, go for it, have fund don't care what others think.
As for fitness once they are fit I exercise 3 times a week 2 miles. To get them fit 5 times per week.
To maintain soundness, good farrier, good feed program, a good suppliment. |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 639
 
Location: God's country...aka TEXAS | It doesn't matter what those other people think. I think you should take him and go whatever speed you feel comfortable. Y'all are still getting to know each other, so you don't want to over do it with more than either of you are ready for. Just have fun and enjoy it! The speed etc. will come when you are ready. Congratulations and good luck on your new endeavor!! |
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Location: South Dakota | Welcome to barrel racing...best of luck to you and your new horse...Your dressage background will be helpful to you in regards to barrelracing, even though they are very different events...the horsemanship will help you.
Riding down the trail is great for your horse and they always benefit from getting out and just riding....but you can train on one too much...so ride 4-6 days a week...and you can go through the barrels slowly each time you ride, trotting through the pattern..... loping to the barrel and softly slowing down to a trot to turn, and then back in the correct lead to the next barrel...try to limit going through the pattern to 3 or 4 times...and call it good...always ending on a good happy note..
Stay away from overworking your horse on the barrels...a little each day is better than a drawn out session every now and then..
I would encourage you to take a good barrelracing clinic by someone that is highly recommended in your area, by your barrelracing friends..it will point you in the right direction...show you how to practice and to compete..and give you confidence..
Charmayne James has a great book, that has good information in it...it would be a good investment...she avoids overbending and over flexing a horse, and wants the horses to track straight in the turn...hind feet tracking nicely behind the front, with a small amount of lateral flex at the poll and nose..
If you haul your horse to the barrel race and all you are doing at home is trotting..that's totally fine...just go ahead and trot him through in the exhibitions...never go faster away from home, than what you are doing at home...
Enjoy your horse!!
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 I Chore in Chucks
Posts: 2882
Location: MD | congrats on your new journey!
go at whatever speed you want and feel comfortable. Barrel racing is supposed to be fun! you bought this horse to help you along, and let him do just that. The more riding you do on your new guy the more you're going to be more confident in actually pushing him to go faster in the future. |
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 Shelter Dog Lover
Posts: 10277
| Go and have fun!! I started riding when my girls went off to college and their high school rodeo horses were just sitting in the pasture. I have turned these very nice 1D horses into very expensive 3D horses. The same boat as you are in, many know my horses and what they can do and I am no where capable of that. I don't care though, they take great care of me and I am having fun. Everyone has been very supportive. Enjoy your new horse, you have to start somewhere. My horses are finished and do not need to practice barrels. I keep them legged up by long trotting 15- 20 minutes, walking 10 and 15-20 more minures of long trotting- 3x a week. I ride one and pony the other 2. I practice on myself by turning tires, doing obstacles, walking/trotting an imaginary barrel pattern to practice stepping in outside stirrup, looking to next barrel, etc.
Edited by rodeomom3 2014-05-01 5:00 PM
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Expert
Posts: 1586
Location: west of East Texas | Who cares what other people think. The good people will look at you and cheer that you are moving over to barrel racing. The ugly people will be wishing they had your horse. Go, go slow, get your feet wet, have fun! |
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 Extreme Veteran
Posts: 507
Location: Texas | I think you should go and get your feet wet. Honestly, I bet more people will be impressed that you bought such a nice horse to teach you the ropes. So often people buy a green horse so they can learn together. That is never a good idea. I bet you get a lot more support than you think! |
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I Chore in Chucks
Posts: 2882
Location: MD | barrels1 - 2014-05-01 2:57 PM
I think you should go and get your feet wet. Honestly, I bet more people will be impressed that you bought such a nice horse to teach you the ropes. So often people buy a green horse so they can learn together. That is never a good idea. I bet you get a lot more support than you think!
she raises a good point... I was certainly the same one with a green horse that I'm sure people thought I was bat Sh*t crazy each time i entered up in anything. I am still questioning to this day how I lived through that. |
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Veteran
Posts: 160
| Congrats to coming over here on the gritty side of life :) I think its awesome to learn something different and that you are doing it the correct way by having a good patient horse, and trainers to help! Too many people go out and buy horses that are not at the same level of riding and all you will get is frustration from that so im glad you found a perfect match! He is your horse now so if you want to trot him do it and do it with a smile on your face! This is what its all about if you arent having fun then your waiting time! Live for you! Plus i know I am always impressed when i see a barrel horse who can run a smoking set also be level headed enough to walk or trot and listen to their rider!
IMO trail riding is the best thing you can do for any horse! Get them out of the arena and ride them up hills through creeks etc. I ride atleast 4 days a week and do lots of long trotting and loping. I will do a day of just supplying exercises to keep them soft. I like to mix it up sometimes if the weather is bad and you cant trail ride I google different exercises and do them doesnt matter the discipline just something different and fun! You can do a lot of your dressage with him, be great to get him using his body and in your comfort zone too!
GOOD LUCK IM EXCITED FOR YOU!!! DON'T FORGET TO SMILE WHETHER YOU WALK OR RUN THE PATTERN :) |
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 Chasin my Dream
Posts: 13651
Location: Alberta | Welcome to the crazy world of barrel racing....best of luck!!
My only advice is NEVER EVER give up, barrel racing is very humbling and when you get in a rut ask questions or find help.....doing what you feel comfortable will get you further then worrying about what other people think you should do!! |
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 You get what you give
Posts: 13030
Location: Texas | Don't worry about anyone else but yourself. just go out there, do your thing, and you will be fine. |
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 I'm Cooler Offline
Posts: 6387
Location: Pacific Northwest | If you want to go, go! Barrel racing, just like all disciplines, has good and bad people. There will always be the good people that are supportive of everyone at all levels, and then there will be the people that talk crap about you whether you win the 1D or the 4D. When a "good" horse gets a new rider there are always those judgey people - even if you were a world champion there would be people wanting to criticize how you ride the horse differently from the previous rider.
The key is to ignore negative people that you come across and just stick to the people that tell you good job and make you feel good (:
As for my horses, mine are turned out 24/7 with the option of coming in their stalls if they want. I try to ride 5 days week, if the horse is currently in shape and running a lot I might ride less and the rides usually consist of just stretching and working on basics (flexing, stopping, backing, etc). At this point all of my horses are finished so I rarely work with them on the pattern unless I'm having a problem. Since you are new it would be beneficial to work the pattern more frequently so that you can learn, just be sure to not run your horse through a bunch. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 408
| Thanks so much to all the replies and the wonderful encouragement!!!! |
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 Reaching for the stars....
Posts: 12708
| Have fun!
My only advice is to learn that the horn is your friend. Use it! |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 408
| I have a hard time using the horn!!! But then again...I'm not going at great speeds either where I have to hang on for dear life  Lol |
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Reaching for the stars....
Posts: 12708
| love2ridepre - 2014-05-05 11:40 AM I have a hard time using the horn!!! But then again...I'm not going at great speeds either where I have to hang on for dear life Lol
It's a matter of having the right form from the get go. Just as you can and do train a horse for proper body positioning on the barrel pattern at a walk, you will learn the proper form for barrel racing if you practice all the moves from a walk up! Using the horn at the right time and place in a barrel run helps the rest of the moves fall together. I've watched several dressage riders have the same issue of not wanting to use the horn, but I promise it is easier on you, the horse, and the pattern if you learn to use the horn now, at a walk and trot. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 408
| lonely va barrelxr - 2014-05-05 12:01 PM
It's a matter of having the right form from the get go. Just as you can and do train a horse for proper body positioning on the barrel pattern at a walk, you will learn the proper form for barrel racing if you practice all the moves from a walk up! Using the horn at the right time and place in a barrel run helps the rest of the moves fall together. I've watched several dressage riders have the same issue of not wanting to use the horn, but I promise it is easier on you, the horse, and the pattern if you learn to use the horn now, at a walk and trot.
So...when is the best time to grab the horn? By the way, I'm planning on attending a clinic in the near future and getting help but until then...for the most part I am flying solo |
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 Veteran
Posts: 173
Location: Somewhere over the rainbow | I just rode my first Dressage test last month...with my barrel horse...girl that was some scary stuff! Barrel Racing is fun and you just go at your own pace. No one really cares if you don't run as fast as they do, in fact, they rather that you don't! Have fun! |
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Advice please...so new...so many questions