|
|
Married to a Louie Lover
Posts: 3303
  
| When someone describes their barrel horse as "honest" what does that mean to you?
I've seen it used in a few different contexts in my opinion based on the horse it's describing, so I'm curious what people think. |
|
| |
|
 Money Eating Baggage Owner
Posts: 9586
  
Location: Phoenix | I view it as a horse that respects the barrels and doesn't knock. He keeps his form, doesn't need a lot of help and won't shut down early. |
|
| |
|
  Fact Checker
Posts: 16575
Location: Displaced Iowegian | IMO, an honest barrel horse is one who will make the same run almost every time, whether it be 1D, 2D, etc and outside distractions don’t bother them. |
|
| |
|
 You get what you give
Posts: 13030
Location: Texas | to me an honest horse is like what NJJ said, whatever D they are supposed to be in, they are in it most of the time, and you don't have to do acrobatics to keep them off the barrels. |
|
| |
|
Married to a Louie Lover
Posts: 3303
| So along the lines I was thinking.
My guy is super consistent time wise, finds his barrels, but if you stop kicking too soon he will turn and hit, he won't cover for you. I don't consider kicking to be "acrobats" but he is the definition of push style, so I probably wouldn't describe him as honest...
Writing a sale ad is why I ask. |
|
| |
|
Fact Checker
Posts: 16575
Location: Displaced Iowegian | OhMax - 2015-08-03 8:39 AM So along the lines I was thinking. My guy is super consistent time wise, finds his barrels, but if you stop kicking too soon he will turn and hit, he won't cover for you. I don't consider kicking to be "acrobats" but he is the definition of push style, so I probably wouldn't describe him as honest... Writing a sale ad is why I ask.
I think that is a confusion between "automatic" and "honest"..... |
|
| |
|
 Shelter Dog Lover
Posts: 10277
| NJJ - 2015-08-03 8:12 AM IMO, an honest barrel horse is one who will make the same run almost every time, whether it be 1D, 2D, etc and outside distractions don’t bother them.
This ^ |
|
| |
|
Meanest Teacher!!!
Posts: 8555
Location: sunny california | does his best every time. doesn't cheat his pocket and will respond even at high speeds to move over also does not dog you between barrels. |
|
| |
|
 Independent Cuss
Posts: 3978
Location: Dearing, GA | kwanatha - 2015-08-03 8:57 AM does his best every time. doesn't cheat his pocket and will respond even at high speeds to move over also does not dog you between barrels.
I agree with this. I want to also add that an honest barrel horse will expose your mistakes too. |
|
| |
|
Meanest Teacher!!!
Posts: 8555
Location: sunny california | Just Let Me Run - 2015-08-03 7:08 AM kwanatha - 2015-08-03 8:57 AM does his best every time. doesn't cheat his pocket and will respond even at high speeds to move over also does not dog you between barrels. I agree with this. I want to also add that an honest barrel horse will expose your mistakes too.
not mine, he just covers them up to make me look good LOL |
|
| |
|
I AM being nice
Posts: 4396
Location: MD | I have a mare in that is VERY honest, but will for sure tell on you if you are not correct. If you sit in the middle and point your shoulders where you want to go, you'll get there and do it quickly. Now, this mare could come across as being inconsistent because she will go whatever speed you ask her to. I've won local barrel races on her and placed very high in the 1D at our State Finals. At the World show level, she is a top 2D horse. That being said, if you hold the mare for the first couple of strides up the alley, she will gear back to a point where you can win the 3D on her locally. Speed up the alley dictates your time. Barring any major rider error, the mare makes the same 3 turns, every time, no matter what speed she is going. |
|
| |
|
The Advice Guru
Posts: 6419
| An honest barrel horse in my opinion is a horse that waits for the rider to cue the horse, they will not turn without being told.
An automatic horse is one that runs the same pattern every time and will cover for their riders mistakes.
An honest barrel horse may look like an automatic barrel horse |
|
| |
|
Money Eating Baggage Owner
Posts: 9586
Location: Phoenix | NJJ - 2015-08-03 6:44 AM OhMax - 2015-08-03 8:39 AM So along the lines I was thinking. My guy is super consistent time wise, finds his barrels, but if you stop kicking too soon he will turn and hit, he won't cover for you. I don't consider kicking to be "acrobats" but he is the definition of push style, so I probably wouldn't describe him as honest... Writing a sale ad is why I ask. I think that is a confusion between "automatic" and "honest".....
See I read my response again and it could also be my definition for automatic. |
|
| |
|
Veteran
Posts: 276
| I hesitate to put a "style" in my ads, because they are so subjective. I totally understand trying to describe the horse as best as possible, so that you aren't going to have 100 people come try him who can't get along, but I've heard some buyers say that they don't want a "push-style" because they automatically think it is a barrel hitter, or shy from a "free-runner, because they think they will be lapping the pen outside, when that is not the case. Also, I have seen horses run completely different with different riders, so I guess you just never know how someone will get a long, so I hate to discourage buyers before they even call and talk to me. I like to just put all the solid facts about the horse and then when they call, we can talk about how I think he runs and how that person thinks they ride and we can discuss if we think it would be a good match, then let them come try. |
|
| |
|
 Lady Di
Posts: 21556
Location: Oklahoma | To me, honest is one that pretty much will forgive your mistakes and work anyway, and rarely or never hits. I have one right now that has never hit a barrel and I love running him.....although he does do some other things, so I don't really call him honest. I just sold one that was one of the most honest horses I've ever owned. It didn't matter who I put on him, even if they'd never ridden before, you knew he was going to turn 3 barrels, more than likely not hit, and put you in the money. That's what I call honest. ;) |
|
| |
|
Expert
Posts: 2685
| SpaceCowboy - 2015-08-03 10:54 AM
I hesitate to put a "style" in my ads, because they are so subjective. I totally understand trying to describe the horse as best as possible, so that you aren't going to have 100 people come try him who can't get along, but I've heard some buyers say that they don't want a "push-style" because they automatically think it is a barrel hitter, or shy from a "free-runner, because they think they will be lapping the pen outside, when that is not the case. Also, I have seen horses run completely different with different riders, so I guess you just never know how someone will get a long, so I hate to discourage buyers before they even call and talk to me. I like to just put all the solid facts about the horse and then when they call, we can talk about how I think he runs and how that person thinks they ride and we can discuss if we think it would be a good match, then let them come try.
This made me LOL because I am the same way. I hate to put a style in an add because I am also guilty of reading an add and going oh so it does a victory lap around the pen? Or I wonder what her shins look like. I have only sold 1 finished horse in my life and I think I described her as automatic and free running when to be honest, all I meant was you didn't have to push her in order to not hit the barrel. She was a go whatever speed you ask of her and that's how fast your run was.
A honest barrel horse makes me think of my mare, she will go and give 100% every time but she will show your mistakes. She is a push between barrels and lift a little and guide around the backside. Not a crasher at all but for instance, 2 weeks ago I lost my outside stirrup just before the 2nd so I was leaning in on accident and she cut in for the first time in a LONG time because that's what my body was saying to do. That weekend, same pen without any pattern work, I rode correctly and she worked like a top. She is the kind of broke where if you don't sit square, she's going to follow your body/hands/feet no matter how fast your going. |
|
| |
|
Red Bull Agressive
Posts: 5981
Location: North Dakota | OhMax - 2015-08-03 8:39 AM
So along the lines I was thinking.
My guy is super consistent time wise, finds his barrels, but if you stop kicking too soon he will turn and hit, he won't cover for you. I don't consider kicking to be "acrobats" but he is the definition of push style, so I probably wouldn't describe him as honest...
Writing a sale ad is why I ask.
I have one the EXACT same way and I guess I would consider that honest, just because they ARE listening to you and what you're asking them to do even if that's not correct. A horse that ignores your mistakes and goes around the barrel anyway I'd say is automatic. |
|
| |
|
Nut Case Expert
Posts: 9305
Location: Tulsa, Ok | An honest horse will go out there and give his all in the same consistent run day in and day out year after year regardless of the jockey or the conditions. They are a gift to be cherished. |
|
| |
|
 I hate cooking and cleaning
Posts: 3314
Location: Jersey Girl | IMO an honest horse is one that always gives you the same run and doesn't cheat you. |
|
| |
|
 Professional Amateur
Posts: 6750
Location: Oklahoma | Honest - I trust the horse to go out there and do their job without me having to correct them or worry about anything other than riding. The rider has fun because they can trust the horse and doesn't have to worry about the horse making a mistake or taking advantage of them.
Some horses seem great - same trip every time with a rider, but put a different rider on them. .they learn what mistakes that rider makes and take advantage. An honest horse will work in spite of a rider's mistakes and make a rider look good.
|
|
| |
|
 Expert
Posts: 1526
Location: Texas | Doesn't try to hit barrels and tries to do what they are supposed to each trip! |
|
| |
|
10D Crack Champion
| An honest horse always tells the truth. "Yes, that saddle does make your butt look big!" "Yes, you have gotten too big for your britches!". Of course my all time favorite, "Yes, sometimes the grass IS really greener on the other side!"
For reals......... I think an honest horse is a solid, consistent horse that makes the same run everytime no matter the surroundings, conditions or rider really. An honest horse makes the right moves no matter whether the rider makes the wrong moves.
|
|
| |
|
 Off the Wall Wacky
Posts: 2981
Location: Louisiana | I guess my definition is a little different...
I would consider my main guy honest. But far from automatic. You do your job, he does his. Forget to sit at the first? He's not scared to put his nose on the fence, but you better hang on bc he will make a right turn. He will not run up the fence, I've given him a few opportunities lol. He will only cheat the second if it's time for his right pastern injection. Otherwise just hang on. Now the third you have to help him. He's going to turn it no matter what, but ask him to take that little step out and he'll eat it.
I could sit there and do nothing and he'd make a pattern, not pretty but he'd do it.
To me, one that isn't honest is one that drops it's shoulder, cheats you, throws curve balls, etc. Ride T-Bo in a grand entry and he's scared of the kids hanging on the fence. Run the pattern and I swear there could be a circus act going on and he's gonna make his run. He zones in on the pattern like no other I've ridden. |
|
| |
|
Married to a Louie Lover
Posts: 3303
| Thanks all :) always interesting to see people's interpretations
He's not afraid to hit a barrel, especially the 2nd, but if you do your job and keep kicking he's no going to.
I'm heading to our state show this afternoon and have a your friend of mine who's going to cruise him through an expo - I'm excited to see how he works for her. |
|
| |
|
Elite Veteran
Posts: 1131
| Honestly, I've never rode one. lol I ride a mare, so I can't say I've ever met a mare that was honest at anything. (I say that in the most loving way possible. haha)
What I THINK when I see it, it means that the horse is going to run its best pattern every time you take it in. Might not be the best horse out there, but you can trust it to get it done in the best way it can. |
|
| |
|
Duct Tape Bikini Girl
Posts: 2554
| An honest horse will not cheat you when you are not at your best. Even when you make a mistake, they don't fall apart and they get you through it. |
|
| |
|
 I'm Cooler Offline
Posts: 6387
Location: Pacific Northwest | To me honest means they don't try to cheat you, but it does not mean they're push button. I have two honest horses out of my three. My free runner and push style are both honest - if you ride them correctly they will be clean and clock the same every time. They're fairly forgiving of mistakes, but the mare needs more help not overbending at her turns (it was drilled into her at some point, she tries to turn into a noodle), but she's not "bad" and once I figured her style out we quit hitting.
My other gelding, who is also push style, is not honest. He's a butthead and he will try to shut down in between barrels and if you even consider sitting sooner than you should he rollbacks over top of it. However I very rarely hit barrels on him, maybe because I patterned him from the beginning but I can only think of a few times we've hit a barrel. I still don't consider him honest because he's just a freaking pill to run. |
|
| |
What is an "honest" barrel horse to you?