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| My horse is having problems shouldering the barrel and is running through the bit. Can someone tell me what the best bit to use is? Also if there is any drills that I can do to help with both of these issues. Thanks in advance! |
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 Extreme Veteran
Posts: 349
Location: texas | Is ur horse "broke"????
Lots of definitions of "broke"..... But i mean Clinton Anderson Broke
Is ur horse anticipating, are they a free runner, more ratey, etc....
also whats ur definition of "running thru the bit"?
Lots of drills are out there, i always go back to the basics, heck take a month off from riding and just do groundwork and fine tuning that respect...
Good Luck to you.....
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| He is very broke but I doubt he's clinton Anderson broke. Lol. When he trail rides he's the best thing. He drops his head like a western pleasure horse and nothing bothers him. But during his run he's all go until his run is over and then he's fine again. He is very much a free runner. During his run he pushes hard on the bit the whole time. The person that had him before me was scared of him and his power and would hold him back the whole run. 1st and 3rd barrel are really good, but we keep hitting the 2nd going into it. |
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 Expert
Posts: 1857
 
| Try some drills first before you change bits. If it was all the barrels and he was running away I would change. Try taking him all the way to the fence on the second barrel, counter arch away a complete circle(this should put you on the back side of the barrel), finish the barrel and go on to third. If it's just one barrel I will only work that barrel, instead of going and turning the third, I'll split first and third to the fence, down until I reach the backside of first and then leave first in the correct position for the second barrel. Take him to the fence and do the counter arch until you feel him stop anticipating, you can do it at a walk, trot, and lope. once you feel like he's paying attention to you, I would let him turn it normal.
If that doesn't work I would take him into second, stop a little past my rate point, counter arch away and go to third. Not even let him turn it.
If your adamant about changing bits you might try a mullen mouth gag, give you some lift without loosing to much flex.
Also look at what your doing. Are you dropping your hand early because you think he's going to over shoot it? Keep your hands elevated, inside heel in him, look over the outside ear and at the fence not the barrel, and push him past it a stride. |
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Expert
Posts: 1611
| momof2horselovers - 2015-04-16 9:55 AM
He is very broke but I doubt he's clinton Anderson broke. Lol. When he trail rides he's the best thing. He drops his head like a western pleasure horse and nothing bothers him. But during his run he's all go until his run is over and then he's fine again. He is very much a free runner. During his run he pushes hard on the bit the whole time. The person that had him before me was scared of him and his power and would hold him back the whole run. 1st and 3rd barrel are really good, but we keep hitting the 2nd going into it.
Then he is not broke.
You can keep putting bigger bits on him if you want but its not gonna fix your problem.
Get him broke inside the arena. People don't understand that almost any horse can be dead calm broke at a walk or on a trail ride. Farmer Joe's used once a year gelding can be a great broke trail horse too.
Point is your horse must be broke inside the arena, 90% of barrel horses are not broke. A barrel horse should be stopping and rating when you tell him too. Barrel horses should be able to slow work the pattern WITHOUT RUNNING THROUGH the bit, if you can not do this work on it until you can. You will probably need to lighten up your hands and if you can't lighten up your hands then lighten up your bit so you can yank and pull but still work on getting him light. |
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 Expert
Posts: 3782
Location: Gainesville, TX | Do you have video of this? It might help some people on here give you better advice. :) |
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| I'll try to get a video. He will slow work correctly it's just at a run that he shoulders and runs through the bit. |
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Expert
Posts: 1611
| momof2horselovers - 2015-04-16 1:39 PM I'll try to get a video. He will slow work correctly it's just at a run that he shoulders and runs through the bit.
I don't mean to be mean but this statement is like saying "My car runs fine its just sometimes the brakes don't work at stop signs."
If he is shouldering the barrel then he is not being slow worked correctly. If he is not respecting the bit during the run he needs tuned on. |
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  Keeper of the King Snake
Posts: 7622
Location: Dubach, LA | Sounds like he's running into the bit not through it. If the second is your only problem try staying two handed and straighter longer. |
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What bit do I need to use?