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| So I'm boarding at barn which is owned by the nicest lady I've ever met. But the land it's built on is owned by the lady next door. The boarders are mostly pleasure show people, which I used to do, but hated. I've always wanted to be a barrel racer. I have a dead broke Quarter Horse/Arabian mare, who's got speed and can turn on a dime. So here's my dilemma, the property owner does not like me because I don't like showing pleasure. She see's rodeo as "redneck". I had three barrels set up in the pattern and I was walking and trotting the pattern, she then complained to the barn owner the next day, who in turn had to ask me to not use barrels, but apparently cones were okay (I can't quite figure out how that is better??)
I have two barns nearby that I can go practice the pattern on occasionally, but I cannot board there. Are there exercises I can practice at home that will benefit my horse and I until we can practice the pattern?
Here is our first barrel race ever, not having seen the pattern since March.
It was a fun show, so I just let her lope. I've never competed either so I was very nervous also and made many mistakes.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XhLgZy6WtoM
Any help is appreciated, thank you! |
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Hungarian Midget Woman
    Location: Midwest | I'd move to another boarding stable. If I'm paying for use of an arena, I need to be able to practice.
The snide comments enough would be reason for me to take my money elsewhere. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 490
      
| The cones will work just fine. Teach your horse to run to your cue. Not a barrel. Mine rarely see a barrel but I used, until my heeler pup decided to eat them, cones. Ive used buckets, spots in the dirt. Just teach your horse to rate and turn when you sit and give the cue. |
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 Extreme Veteran
Posts: 554
  
| I would move barns when you can. I picked up a mustang this weekend and I went up the hill to the barn at 7 mph to make it up the hill. Needless to say I got chased down by the "English wanna be Jumpers" and yelled at for speeding in a 5 mph zone. My truck was too loud. I said well this isn't a golf course and when I hit 7 mph did you hear the sonic boom? I know they were annoyed since none of the trainers could get the horse in the trailer for months and I show up and 15 min later she is in the trailer with no butt rope or pulling. Oh yeah the barn owner trainer showed up with a broom to help load the horse. I told her no way and thanks. So I think a different barn would be a better choice. |
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 Expert
Posts: 1210
   Location: Kansas | Looks like you are doing great and having fun! :) I would suggest loping even circles in a correct lead around the cones and also possibly some figure 8s to work on lead changes between barrels. Your horse seems more comfortable in the left lead and took the first barrel in the wrong lead, so possibly lope a circle to the right, in the right lead, before going to your first barrel. Good luck in your new endeavor! |
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 Buttered Noodles Snacker
Posts: 4377
        Location: NC | HarlanLivesOn - 2014-10-09 1:56 PM Looks like you are doing great and having fun! :) I would suggest loping even circles in a correct lead around the cones and also possibly some figure 8s to work on lead changes between barrels. Your horse seems more comfortable in the left lead and took the first barrel in the wrong lead, so possibly lope a circle to the right, in the right lead, before going to your first barrel. Good luck in your new endeavor!
Ditto work on leads and lead changes. Beautiful horse! |
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 Expert
Posts: 4121
   Location: SE Louisiana | I've met people like this and I doubt the cones will be allowed for long. She is worried you might 'infect the minds' of other boarders and it will catch on. Good luck with your progress..  |
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Expert
Posts: 1314
    Location: North Central Iowa Land of white frozen grass | I think Komet has hit this dead on. The barrels were just the excuses this time. Next it will be the cones. My daughter has one of her horses with her at one of the stables and they are more of English riding. It's amaizing how they think that she is not refined enough to be in their barn because she is a barrel racer and more of a rodeo person. |
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 A Somebody to Everybody
Posts: 41354
              Location: Under The Big Sky Of Texas | I'll be looking for another place to be boarding my horses, sounds like these people dont like barrel racer's at all. |
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 Not Afraid to Work
Posts: 4717
    
| I agree. I would look for another place to board. Thats gonna be a slippery slope. If they arent supportive of your discipline, its gonna suck the fun out of it.
Good luck
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