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 Am I really the Weirdo?
Posts: 11181
   
Location: Kansas | I've got a horse who seems to be bored with barrels and more interested in looking at the banners and crowds than focusing on his job, so I'm looking for ideas of other stuff to do with him part of the time. He's a seasoned proven rodeo horse who is just zoning out and not paying attention like he should. I've gotten after him and he straightened up immediately but I'd rather just keep him interested in things than have to keep disciplining him for not focusing.
Our routine has been to trail ride or exercise in the hay fields during the week and rodeo on weekends. I set up the pole pattern Saturday at Matt's to try and wake him up, and I plan on trying to ride through some different pastures & fields this week to break up the monotony, but any other ideas would be great. I absolutely cannot rope, and our cattle herd consists of about 6 cows. Any ideas on some fun obstacles that I could set up and tinker with? |
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 I Chore in Chucks
Posts: 2882
 
Location: MD | have you tried teaching him how to jump? it's a lot different from anything they do on a regular basis and it uses a lot of different muscles when they are doing it. I do low level jumps and jump in patterns like figure 8s and things like that keeps my boy interested and excited. and it's kind of nice to be able to do something totally different. |
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 Expert
Posts: 3782
Location: Gainesville, TX | How about dressage? That may reflect back positively on your pattern too. Or try something totally off the wall like polo. I believe so long as you're doing something REALLY different with them it will allow them to refocus. Even when I think about training one, I've always got an 'other' activity in mind for them so they don't go insane from running in circles. |
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Am I really the Weirdo?
Posts: 11181
Location: Kansas | Crowned Image - 2014-07-07 10:11 AM have you tried teaching him how to jump? it's a lot different from anything they do on a regular basis and it uses a lot of different muscles when they are doing it. I do low level jumps and jump in patterns like figure 8s and things like that keeps my boy interested and excited. and it's kind of nice to be able to do something totally different.
I wondered about that since it does use so many different muscles. How would I (and by that I mean my dad and brothers LOL) go about building a jump or two? What materials would we need? They are all super handy with metal or wood so if I give them a rough idea they can usually manufacture something. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 490
| What about doing some team sorting? |
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Expert
Posts: 3782
Location: Gainesville, TX | rodeowithjoker - 2014-07-07 10:22 AM
Crowned Image - 2014-07-07 10:11 AM have you tried teaching him how to jump? it's a lot different from anything they do on a regular basis and it uses a lot of different muscles when they are doing it. I do low level jumps and jump in patterns like figure 8s and things like that keeps my boy interested and excited. and it's kind of nice to be able to do something totally different.
I wondered about that since it does use so many different muscles. How would I (and by that I mean my dad and brothers LOL) go about building a jump or two? What materials would we need? They are all super handy with metal or wood so if I give them a rough idea they can usually manufacture something.
We did some jumping. You usually actually want to start them off with groundpoles/cavellettis and then move them up to an x (usually is only about 6" or 8" high). We would set up four groundpoles and then take two of the groundpoles and cross them over those empty molasses buckets we used to feed the cows in the winter at the end of the set of groundpoles
It will look something like this but this has wooden supports.
2x4s are great to start but we always just started with what we had available. Fencing posts as groundpoles, five gallon buckets or molasses buckets as supports. By the time you have them going over a pole stretched between the two buckets it's not that much to ask them to jump a set of fifty gallon oil drums laid on their side. I'd usually ask them to do it all on a lunge line and then try it riding. One summer we set up an entire jumping course using fencing posts, molasses barrels, and fifty gallon oil drums and the last jump was three poles deep and as tall as the oil drums. We had a blast. I think I was like 16 when we did that. Use what you got. What's nice about the drums too is that it's easy to set back up and if they knock them they usually don't trip over them because they come off so easy. Seemed safer. |
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I Chore in Chucks
Posts: 2882
Location: MD | rodeowithjoker - 2014-07-07 11:22 AM
Crowned Image - 2014-07-07 10:11 AM have you tried teaching him how to jump? it's a lot different from anything they do on a regular basis and it uses a lot of different muscles when they are doing it. I do low level jumps and jump in patterns like figure 8s and things like that keeps my boy interested and excited. and it's kind of nice to be able to do something totally different.
I wondered about that since it does use so many different muscles. How would I (and by that I mean my dad and brothers LOL) go about building a jump or two? What materials would we need? They are all super handy with metal or wood so if I give them a rough idea they can usually manufacture something.
you can buy or build. if you're going to keep it pretty low level or simple buy some pvc pipe to use to set up on jumping blocks or I know some people will use the backside of chairs or barrels or things like that. PVC is so lightweight for a horse that doesn't know how to jump it's going to be low impact if he knocks them. and putting all that crap away is a lot easier.
http://www.valleyvet.com/ct_detail.html?pgguid=4961dff7-6c65-4b68-b... These are the blocks, you can rotate and flip them to makelower and higher jumps.
or you can build cavallettis that you flip to get 3 different heights.
here are some specifics. the cavallettis are the first image
https://littlebrowndogblog.wordpress.com/tag/cavaletti/
I'm not really sure where to get all of the specific pieces of wood but, I'm sure you could get most everything at a lowes or home depot type of store!
Edited by Crowned Image 2014-07-07 10:33 AM
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Am I really the Weirdo?
Posts: 11181
Location: Kansas | I've got PVC pipe I think, we might have to steal it from my pole bending poles though. We've got an assortment of buckets, tree stump pieces etc so I bet Brett can rig something up pretty easily. Chance has gone over a super low jump once......we did a trail course competition last winter and it had a jump. I think he might have been the one that stepped over it at a walk. Clifford was probably the one who actually jumped it lol.
I'd love to try team sorting if there was any around here. Heck I'd even go track cattle out of the box or just help clear the pen at a roping if there was anything like that around here. Might have to put out a plea on facebook and see if anyone around here is roping during the week and would let me tag along. |
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I Chore in Chucks
Posts: 2882
Location: MD | rodeowithjoker - 2014-07-07 11:45 AM
I've got PVC pipe I think, we might have to steal it from my pole bending poles though. We've got an assortment of buckets, tree stump pieces etc so I bet Brett can rig something up pretty easily. Chance has gone over a super low jump once......we did a trail course competition last winter and it had a jump. I think he might have been the one that stepped over it at a walk. Clifford was probably the one who actually jumped it lol.
I'd love to try team sorting if there was any around here. Heck I'd even go track cattle out of the box or just help clear the pen at a roping if there was anything like that around here. Might have to put out a plea on facebook and see if anyone around here is roping during the week and would let me tag along.
I use my pvc from my poles and make oxers. I have regular wings because I'm at an old performance barn but I have used buckets and hay bales and barrels. easy peasy :) |
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Am I really the Weirdo?
Posts: 11181
Location: Kansas | Crowned Image - 2014-07-07 10:56 AM rodeowithjoker - 2014-07-07 11:45 AM I've got PVC pipe I think, we might have to steal it from my pole bending poles though. We've got an assortment of buckets, tree stump pieces etc so I bet Brett can rig something up pretty easily. Chance has gone over a super low jump once......we did a trail course competition last winter and it had a jump. I think he might have been the one that stepped over it at a walk. Clifford was probably the one who actually jumped it lol.
I'd love to try team sorting if there was any around here. Heck I'd even go track cattle out of the box or just help clear the pen at a roping if there was anything like that around here. Might have to put out a plea on facebook and see if anyone around here is roping during the week and would let me tag along. I use my pvc from my poles and make oxers. I have regular wings because I'm at an old performance barn but I have used buckets and hay bales and barrels. easy peasy : )
That should be super easy. We have lots of square bales of hay, a few barrels and a very extensive collection of buckets in all sizes lol. I am now having visions of Brett teaching Little Guy, the horse we're riding and selling for friends, to clear a jump on their way across the yard to rope his steer dummies. It could be the next youtube sensation LOL. |
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Rad Dork
Posts: 5218
Location: Oklahoma | rodeowithjoker - 2014-07-07 11:04 AM Crowned Image - 2014-07-07 10:56 AM rodeowithjoker - 2014-07-07 11:45 AM I've got PVC pipe I think, we might have to steal it from my pole bending poles though. We've got an assortment of buckets, tree stump pieces etc so I bet Brett can rig something up pretty easily. Chance has gone over a super low jump once......we did a trail course competition last winter and it had a jump. I think he might have been the one that stepped over it at a walk. Clifford was probably the one who actually jumped it lol.
I'd love to try team sorting if there was any around here. Heck I'd even go track cattle out of the box or just help clear the pen at a roping if there was anything like that around here. Might have to put out a plea on facebook and see if anyone around here is roping during the week and would let me tag along. I use my pvc from my poles and make oxers. I have regular wings because I'm at an old performance barn but I have used buckets and hay bales and barrels. easy peasy : )
Let me know when you get that one uploaded! Dibs on being the first viewer!!
I wish I had suggestions, but I typically do the same thing just about every ride. Have thought about buying an English saddle just for kicks to play around with, but we gotta get to clicking before we get too relaxed. |
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Am I really the Weirdo?
Posts: 11181
Location: Kansas | Longneck - 2014-07-07 11:22 AM rodeowithjoker - 2014-07-07 11:04 AM Crowned Image - 2014-07-07 10:56 AM rodeowithjoker - 2014-07-07 11:45 AM I've got PVC pipe I think, we might have to steal it from my pole bending poles though. We've got an assortment of buckets, tree stump pieces etc so I bet Brett can rig something up pretty easily. Chance has gone over a super low jump once......we did a trail course competition last winter and it had a jump. I think he might have been the one that stepped over it at a walk. Clifford was probably the one who actually jumped it lol.
I'd love to try team sorting if there was any around here. Heck I'd even go track cattle out of the box or just help clear the pen at a roping if there was anything like that around here. Might have to put out a plea on facebook and see if anyone around here is roping during the week and would let me tag along. I use my pvc from my poles and make oxers. I have regular wings because I'm at an old performance barn but I have used buckets and hay bales and barrels. easy peasy : )
I wish I had suggestions, but I typically do the same thing just about every ride. Have thought about buying an English saddle just for kicks to play around with, but we gotta get to clicking before we get too relaxed.
LOL. Brett stands 6-4 and Little Guy MIGHT stick 14 hands if he stood on tiptoe, so anything they do is fairly comical looking. Brett also has no fear so he does some off the wall stuff. It is no wonder all our horses are so close to bombproof. By the time you've shot baskets on them, drug tree limbs across the yard, chased armadillos and ridden them through town to the baseball field, nothing rattles them. LOL. |
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Rad Dork
Posts: 5218
Location: Oklahoma | rodeowithjoker - 2014-07-07 11:29 AM
Longneck - 2014-07-07 11:22 AM rodeowithjoker - 2014-07-07 11:04 AM Crowned Image - 2014-07-07 10:56 AM rodeowithjoker - 2014-07-07 11:45 AM I've got PVC pipe I think, we might have to steal it from my pole bending poles though. We've got an assortment of buckets, tree stump pieces etc so I bet Brett can rig something up pretty easily. Chance has gone over a super low jump once......we did a trail course competition last winter and it had a jump. I think he might have been the one that stepped over it at a walk. Clifford was probably the one who actually jumped it lol.
I'd love to try team sorting if there was any around here. Heck I'd even go track cattle out of the box or just help clear the pen at a roping if there was anything like that around here. Might have to put out a plea on facebook and see if anyone around here is roping during the week and would let me tag along. I use my pvc from my poles and make oxers. I have regular wings because I'm at an old performance barn but I have used buckets and hay bales and barrels. easy peasy : )
I wish I had suggestions, but I typically do the same thing just about every ride. Have thought about buying an English saddle just for kicks to play around with, but we gotta get to clicking before we get too relaxed.
I have one I need to send your way! lol |
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Am I really the Weirdo?
Posts: 11181
Location: Kansas | Longneck - 2014-07-07 12:02 PM rodeowithjoker - 2014-07-07 11:29 AM Longneck - 2014-07-07 11:22 AM rodeowithjoker - 2014-07-07 11:04 AM Crowned Image - 2014-07-07 10:56 AM rodeowithjoker - 2014-07-07 11:45 AM I've got PVC pipe I think, we might have to steal it from my pole bending poles though. We've got an assortment of buckets, tree stump pieces etc so I bet Brett can rig something up pretty easily. Chance has gone over a super low jump once......we did a trail course competition last winter and it had a jump. I think he might have been the one that stepped over it at a walk. Clifford was probably the one who actually jumped it lol.
I'd love to try team sorting if there was any around here. Heck I'd even go track cattle out of the box or just help clear the pen at a roping if there was anything like that around here. Might have to put out a plea on facebook and see if anyone around here is roping during the week and would let me tag along. I use my pvc from my poles and make oxers. I have regular wings because I'm at an old performance barn but I have used buckets and hay bales and barrels. easy peasy : )
I wish I had suggestions, but I typically do the same thing just about every ride. Have thought about buying an English saddle just for kicks to play around with, but we gotta get to clicking before we get too relaxed. I have one I need to send your way! lol
My two brothers can bombproof one, that's for sure. 2/3 of the things they'll do on horseback make me shake my head, but somehow it always works well for them. I guess since they aren't worried, the horses aren't worried either.
Something tells me Brett will get into this jump building stuff, and I may wind up with a complete obstacle course before long. |
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Rad Dork
Posts: 5218
Location: Oklahoma | rodeowithjoker - 2014-07-07 12:12 PM Longneck - 2014-07-07 12:02 PM rodeowithjoker - 2014-07-07 11:29 AM Longneck - 2014-07-07 11:22 AM rodeowithjoker - 2014-07-07 11:04 AM Crowned Image - 2014-07-07 10:56 AM rodeowithjoker - 2014-07-07 11:45 AM I've got PVC pipe I think, we might have to steal it from my pole bending poles though. We've got an assortment of buckets, tree stump pieces etc so I bet Brett can rig something up pretty easily. Chance has gone over a super low jump once......we did a trail course competition last winter and it had a jump. I think he might have been the one that stepped over it at a walk. Clifford was probably the one who actually jumped it lol.
I'd love to try team sorting if there was any around here. Heck I'd even go track cattle out of the box or just help clear the pen at a roping if there was anything like that around here. Might have to put out a plea on facebook and see if anyone around here is roping during the week and would let me tag along. I use my pvc from my poles and make oxers. I have regular wings because I'm at an old performance barn but I have used buckets and hay bales and barrels. easy peasy : )
I wish I had suggestions, but I typically do the same thing just about every ride. Have thought about buying an English saddle just for kicks to play around with, but we gotta get to clicking before we get too relaxed. I have one I need to send your way! lol
Something tells me Brett will get into this jump building stuff, and I may wind up with a complete obstacle course before long.
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Am I really the Weirdo?
Posts: 11181
Location: Kansas | Ok small update - Chance likes jumping. We spent a half hour Wednesday night going back & forth over my fancy jump (2 buckets with a pvc pipe balanced on them LOL) in the yard. I ran him at one rodeo over the weekend and he still acted like he couldn't have cared less about running barrels. He should have the weekend off this time (everything around here is in small pens) so I'm still looking for other ideas of crazy things I can do with him to break out of the rut. |
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Veteran
Posts: 238
| There are tons of obstacles here. I usually pick 2 out and work on them for a week or two.
https://www.actha.us/obstacles
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 A Somebody to Everybody
Posts: 41354
Location: Under The Big Sky Of Texas | Working Cattle, like Team Penning, now that can be a blast  |
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 I'm Cooler Offline
Posts: 6387
Location: Pacific Northwest | I love jumping. I stole garden poles from my mom and I just use buckets and mounting blocks and whatever I can find to make jumps. some of my horses really like it, some of them think it's pretty dumb haha. If your horse likes it though it's REALLY fun.
I like hauling my horses to go to "real" trail rides too, like to parks and stuff. But I live in Washington and am within riding distance of Capital Forest so it's not that hard for me. I've also taken mine to the beach, but again, not that far from me haha.
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 Peecans
| rodeowithjoker - 2014-07-14 10:44 AM
Ok small update - Chance likes jumping. We spent a half hour Wednesday night going back & forth over my fancy jump (2 buckets with a pvc pipe balanced on them LOL) in the yard. I ran him at one rodeo over the weekend and he still acted like he couldn't have cared less about running barrels. He should have the weekend off this time (everything around here is in small pens) so I'm still looking for other ideas of crazy things I can do with him to break out of the rut.
Is chance the one who's been having soundness issue?
I mean no disrespect but maybe is not so much board as wore out and tired of it, played out not zoned out?
Maybe he just needs turned out for a few months and alowed to just chill.
Cool he likes jump in though, there was a horse in collage who competed as a show jumper and ran 1D times. And another 2/3D mare that was a retired grand prix jumper! They were GREAT horses. |
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Red Bull Agressive
Posts: 5981
Location: North Dakota | I HIGHLY recommend dressage. Working with a very serious dressage trainer is the best thing that ever happened to my riding, and every horse I've ever ridden. Dressage is actually my focus now. If you're up for an investment, mayhaps mounted shooting? That's my next adventure. I agree that jumping is fun too. |
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Am I really the Weirdo?
Posts: 11181
Location: Kansas | della - 2014-07-14 5:13 PM rodeowithjoker - 2014-07-14 10:44 AM Ok small update - Chance likes jumping. We spent a half hour Wednesday night going back & forth over my fancy jump (2 buckets with a pvc pipe balanced on them LOL) in the yard. I ran him at one rodeo over the weekend and he still acted like he couldn't have cared less about running barrels. He should have the weekend off this time (everything around here is in small pens) so I'm still looking for other ideas of crazy things I can do with him to break out of the rut. Is chance the one who's been having soundness issue? I mean no disrespect but maybe is not so much board as wore out and tired of it, played out not zoned out? Maybe he just needs turned out for a few months and alowed to just chill. Cool he likes jump in though, there was a horse in collage who competed as a show jumper and ran 1D times. And another 2/3D mare that was a retired grand prix jumper! They were GREAT horses.
He had a lot of issues earlier this year but has been working good, clocking pretty well (he was 8th at the one rodeo I ran him at over the weekend - warmed up like a million bucks and would have placed if he hadn't stumbled at the first barrel) and everything looks & feels right with him other than his attitude. I've barely run him this summer because Clifford has been coming on so strong, and Chance has had a ton of extra turnout/vacation time the past few months. Chance ran 4 total times in June and has made 3 runs so far in July. He's not been overused or even hauled an excessive amount, and the more he sits around in the pen just chilling, the nastier he is to my other horses. It's like the extra energy he would have used running barrels gets put to use chasing his buddies around.
I can tell he's tired of the status quo and that's why I'm looking for other ideas of things to do with him. He is not the type to just hang out and relax.....he is very curious and likes to DO STUFF. Maybe he needs to learn tricks? |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 762
Location: NC | Maybe try setting up an extreme trail obstacle course in the arena. (bridges, logs, etc) Jumping is good too. When my black horse got tired of barrels a few years ago we went over to english for a bit then came back.
Also have you ever given him one of those inflatable giant balls? my youngster has one which she ignores but i know a few horses that love them |
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 Expert
Posts: 2457
| cavyrunsbarrels - 2014-07-14 5:51 PM
I HIGHLY recommend dressage. Working with a very serious dressage trainer is the best thing that ever happened to my riding, and every horse I've ever ridden. Dressage is actually my focus now. If you're up for an investment, mayhaps mounted shooting? That's my next adventure. I agree that jumping is fun too.
There is a great Grand Prix trainer over in Chapman that is pretty neat to work with.
Mounted shooting is another avenue and you have a club based out of Alma, hit me up if you have q's as I'm the secretary.
Also - holler at me ... we haul over quite a bit to MO for team sorting practices. We rope weekly in Manhattan and check the craigslist around here too as we post on there when we have team penning/sorting events too!
Jumps are a great start and certainly will help a horse think about their feet too!
Good Luck!
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 Born not Made
Posts: 2937
Location: North Dakota | rodeowithjoker - 2014-07-07 10:45 AM I've got PVC pipe I think, we might have to steal it from my pole bending poles though. We've got an assortment of buckets, tree stump pieces etc so I bet Brett can rig something up pretty easily. Chance has gone over a super low jump once......we did a trail course competition last winter and it had a jump. I think he might have been the one that stepped over it at a walk. Clifford was probably the one who actually jumped it lol.
I'd love to try team sorting if there was any around here. Heck I'd even go track cattle out of the box or just help clear the pen at a roping if there was anything like that around here. Might have to put out a plea on facebook and see if anyone around here is roping during the week and would let me tag along.
I just wanted to say that you should NOT use PVC pipe for jumps. If they happen to land on one, it will shatter.
Wood is a much better option, although it is heavier.
As far as other ideas you can do with your horse, here's what I do with mine:
Showmanship
Halter
Western Pleasure
Reining
Ranch Horse Competitions
Competitive Trail
Carrying Flags (never actually at a rodeo, but just at home)
Horsemanship
Western Riding
Lots of different gaming events (barrels, poles, keyhole, ring race, sack race, flag race, etc etc)
Work cattle
Yes, I do A LOT of different things with my horse. But I'm proud to say that he 100% listens to me at all times. I can head into the arena at mach 90 speed, or I can Western Pleasure walk through the gate. He doesn't look at banners, cattle, signs, the loud speaker, etc because he's too busy listening to see what we need to do in the arena.
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Looking for ideas of DIFFERENT things to do for a bored barrel horse