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Elite Veteran
Posts: 1032
 
Location: IL | So last nite I was watching my DVR'd episodes of WPRA Today and the replays of the BFA futurity was on. I was watching all these young horses make some amazing runs and most of the jockeys went to one hand around the barrel unless they needed to stay two handed. And it got me thinking, at what point in your colts barrel training do you stop two handing them around the barrel and instead go to one hand? |
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 Accident Prone
Posts: 22277
  
Location: 100 miles from Nowhere, AR | Early. I might 2 hand the first few times loping through to support proper foot placement, but then I drop to one hand in turns and get that down before adding speed. Dropping the outside rein becomes part of their signal to gather and turn. |
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 Expert
Posts: 2161
Location: NW. Florida | When they're going fast enough that I have to start hanging on. |
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 Mouhahaha
Posts: 1786
Location: British Columbia | Carbon Copy - 2014-07-31 12:27 PM
When they're going fast enough that I have to start hanging on.
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 The Worst Seller Ever
Posts: 4138
Location: Oklahoma | After my colts know where they are going and start looking to turn I start going one handed. I want them to be prepared to make decisions on their own before we are going too fast to correct things.
I also start adjusting their position using the inside rein at that time. Even if we don't need to adjust, I want them to get the feel for it before we are going fast.
Edited by clover girl 2014-07-31 1:51 PM
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 Ms Bling Bling Sleeze Kitty
Posts: 20917
Location: LouLouVille, OK | I rarely ride one handed, I must be the odd man out, I will one hand around barrels once they are turning on their own and all that, but otherwise I ride 2 handed alot, but then again, I use more leg then hand, so maybe that has something to do with it? I ride between my reins if that makes sense lol |
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 I Chore in Chucks
Posts: 2882
Location: MD | when they stop needing to be "plow reined"(i think is the right term) is when I go one handed. If I feel like i still need to keep contact with their face to keep them going the direction i want them to, then I keep two handed. but once they are comfortable with all of the leg cues and listening more to my legs, and understanding it, I go 1 handed around barrels.
but most of the time i never ride one handed during regular ride time, unless on a trail or walking a horse out. I spent too much time in breeches and tall boots to let go of two handed riding all the time. |
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 Total Germophobe
Posts: 6443
Location: Montana | With my mare that is basically her cue to start turning is when I go one handed. But I've started going one handed in practice at a lope. Now if I work on the pattern even at a trot I go one handed. But when we are going fast I definitely need that hand on the horn. :) |
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 Expert
Posts: 1631
Location: Somewhere around here | Loping typically but I feel like it depends on the horse as well. My horse, that's 5, sometimes have to have two hands on the first barrel going fast. For some reason if I always use one hand he will go by the barrel half a stride. Having two hands just kinda helps him stay where he needs to be. |
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 Balance Beam and more...
Posts: 11511
Location: 31 lengths farms | I ride em two handed till I can't stay with them anymore going two handed...so about the 4th time I lope thru 
But really I do go two handed on a colt for a while, I dont' ride for other people and I don't 'ride to sale so I'm in no hurry to get one ready for another jockey, its about me and them and what they need. I see a lot of finished horses that could use a two handed ride....and I aint the rider to do it anymore but that's the fact. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 1032
Location: IL | cindyt - 2014-07-31 2:46 PM I rarely ride one handed, I must be the odd man out, I will one hand around barrels once they are turning on their own and all that, but otherwise I ride 2 handed alot, but then again, I use more leg then hand, so maybe that has something to do with it? I ride between my reins if that makes sense lol
I'm the same way. I started riding English so I tend to ride more with seat and leg cues as it is but I rarely (if ever) ride one handed when doing everyday riding. I also prefer to keep contact with my horses mouth. Not pulling or anything, just contact, which is yet another "habit" that started due to my English start. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 1032
Location: IL | Thanks for the replies everyone! I really like reading everyone's opinions and reasons!! :) |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 805
Location: Montana | I read an article about I believe it was Kay Blanford that she starts all of hers on the pattern one handed. My mare is so catty I couldn't stay two handed with her and my gelding fights two hands around the barrel plus with him I really needed to go one handed sooner because it's everything I can do with my legs to keep him moving he is lazy |
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  Angel in a Sorrel Coat
Posts: 16030
Location: In a happy place | I have come to the conclusion that I rode cutting horses for so many years that all I know to do is ride one handed. So I pretty quickly go to one hand. |
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 You get what you give
Posts: 13030
Location: Texas | I go to one handed off and on as I am training… It depends on the horse. The 3 year old filly I am hauling now I really feel like she's going to be a push style horse… so I find myself driving two handed past the barrel and going to the horn on the backside. The 4 year old horse I am seasoning I give a 2 handed bump and then turn one handed. |
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One handed on your colts?