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| Hey guys. i havent been on in a while! been soo busy.
Anyway so i took some advice from yall and started doing basics again to to freshen him up and get him utilizing his body better as well as mine too. So i did slow work and drills for like 4 weeks(but it rained alot so now the only place i can ride is the road cuz he will all 4 shoes if i ride him in any type of mud.)
So at jackpots or any barrel race ive been going to at one of my fave arenas, hes been COMPLETELY ducking at the second barrel. I run him to the left. So i was HAULING A** in and he sat perfectly and we made a BEAUTIFUL first barrel then i look at my next pocket and get him over to the second barrel and right when we were about to turn the front side of the barrel, he shot on the wrong side.(i was using my feey and has his nose) He knows the pattern too. hes done this quite a few times. had him checked for soreness. None. had a theraplate and chiro session. checked his feet, his teeth, his back. But he never does this during slow work at home or at an other arena. Is it just that he is being sour? I was thinking i should take him to this arena and get like 6 exhibitions and run him in this arena and correct him everytime he ducks until he doesnt do it anymore. (to show him that im the boss and that everytime he ducks on a barrel hes gonna have to work his butt off.) ANy suggestions? i would attach a video but i can find one. ill post one when i find it. Thanks! |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 1162
 
Location: White Mountains of AZ | I'd look back at videos... competition we usually ride a bit different than slow work at home. Could their be a possibility you're sitting just a hair sooner? Picking up his head sooner? I had a horse that suddenly did this and it turned out his back was sore from his saddle. Changed that and never had an issue. So double check saddle fit? Bridle fit?. Videos are definitely a HUGE tool! :) |
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 BHW Jr. Cougar of the Year
Posts: 14957
  
Location: Heart of Texas | If your horse is ducking, it is sign of avoidance, most likely from pain. Exhibitioning a sore horse over and over again "making" him do it, will cause a whole host of other problems. Possibly making him dangerous and blowing his mind. Take your horse to GOOD equine vet and have him checked out. My wimpy gelding ducks when his hocks and/or his stifles are sore. Not one time when he has ducked, and it's a lot, has a vet not found the source. |
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 Texas Tenderheart
Posts: 6715
Location: Red Raiderland | T-Zip - 2015-11-19 10:41 AM If your horse is ducking, it is sign of avoidance, most likely from pain. Exhibitioning a sore horse over and over again "making" him do it, will cause a whole host of other problems. Possibly making him dangerous and blowing his mind. Take your horse to GOOD equine vet and have him checked out. My wimpy gelding ducks when his hocks and/or his stifles are sore. Not one time when he has ducked, and it's a lot, has a vet not found the source.
I 100% agree! Good post!  |
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Veteran
Posts: 226
| My gelding was doing the exact same thing on second, never ever ever in my life has he ever done anything wrong like that in a pattern, I was seriously in shock, then I went and got his SI Joint injected and he is back in business!! Poor guy was in pain! I recommend a vet also!! |
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 Extreme Veteran
Posts: 456
Location: SW MO | QH<3er - 2015-11-19 10:17 AM
I'd look back at videos... competition we usually ride a bit different than slow work at home. Could their be a possibility you're sitting just a hair sooner? Picking up his head sooner? I had a horse that suddenly did this and it turned out his back was sore from his saddle. Changed that and never had an issue. So double check saddle fit? Bridle fit?. Videos are definitely a HUGE tool! :)
I also had a mare who was saddle sore who would duck the second barrel. Do you have a video? And just something that I was thinking when I was reading; the same mare would definitely turn before the barrel if I "asked" her to turn. Either sitting too soon or if I picked her up and got her nose, she was light mouthed and if I was going to pick her up with my hands heavily there was no way I could hold her from turning with my leg. If that makes sense. Depending on the horse getting his nose hard won't help based on my experience. I would rule out pain first a foremost.
Edited by Mzbradford 2015-11-19 12:41 PM
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 Not Afraid to Work
Posts: 4717
| If you have ruled out soreness it could be a naughty colt thing... I dont know how long yours has been on a pattern but a friend of mine's gelding did this to her and she just had to ride him through it and he stopped doing it. |
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Location: In my own little world | A young gal I know was having this problem on her second barrel all summer and asked me to watch one of her runs to see if I saw anything. Sure did, so I had her keep her focus forward to the fence longer which made her ride deeper into the barrel and as long as she does that the horse turns it beautifully. When her eyes shifted, her hand moved and the horse turned. Yours could be several things but this is something you might want to pay attn to as well. |
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 Don't Wanna Make This Awkward
Posts: 3106
Location: Texas | What vet did you have the lameness exam done with? That could be the issue. |
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Member
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| Well the thing is he doesnt do it on the third barrel and his third barrel is the same turn as the 2nd. Also he doesnt hesitate or anything at all. Another thing he only does it @ Jeff SMiths arena in terrel. Never done it anywhere else(i haul him every other weekend for Highschool Rodeo and we go to differenct arenas.) And during my run i made sure if anything i sat down later to so he would maybe go past the barrel then turn |
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 Good Grief!
Posts: 6343
Location: Cap'n Joan Rotgut.....alberta | Have you ever had him scoped......M |
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| mruggles - 2015-11-20 9:51 AM Have you ever had him scoped......M
No ma'am..or sir i dont know which one you are lol. i was wanting to get that done! |
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Good Grief!
Posts: 6343
Location: Cap'n Joan Rotgut.....alberta | FearTheRedPaint - 2015-11-21 10:00 AM
mruggles - 2015-11-20 9:51 AM Have you ever had him scoped......M
No ma'am..or sir i dont know which one you are lol. i was wanting to get that done!
May be worth a try.....and im definatly not a sir...;)....m |
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 Shelter Dog Lover
Posts: 10277
| FearTheRedPaint - 2015-11-20 8:49 AM Well the thing is he doesnt do it on the third barrel and his third barrel is the same turn as the 2nd. Also he doesnt hesitate or anything at all. Another thing he only does it @ Jeff SMiths arena in terrel. Never done it anywhere else(i haul him every other weekend for Highschool Rodeo and we go to differenct arenas.) And during my run i made sure if anything i sat down later to so he would maybe go past the barrel then turn
Not ducking the third is not always an indicator that it cannot be a pain issue. We have had horses that have had problems at the 2nd but will work the third-dont know why. It took several vet visits to find the issue, which was a suspenosry. We also had a horse that ducked the second only at one arena, which was on a hill making the second look like there was no ground beyond the fence line- guess it scared him. We quit running him in that pen. |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 690
Location: Georgia | I rode awesome gelding that used to do this. I could lope him to the second barrel to make sure we turned it and he would still place in the 1D in some decent competition. We always thought it was a personality issue and I did so much slow work and drill work trying to fix him. Eventually I ended up buying him and after a vet visit we found out he had a cyst on the back of his navicular bone that was causing him pain when he ran and turned in that direction. |
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 Expert
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Location: Deep South | If it is ONLY at that one arena and no where else, it would not be worth it to me to fight over it and I just wouldn't run there. You can seriously ruin a dang good horse slow working/practice running them to death, when it's probably just something there that scares him.
Plus it ruins not only your horses confidence, but yours too. Missing out on barrel races at one pen is not worth all that to me. |
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 A Somebody to Everybody
Posts: 41354
Location: Under The Big Sky Of Texas | FearTheRedPaint - 2015-11-19 9:59 AM Hey guys. i havent been on in a while! been soo busy.
Anyway so i took some advice from yall and started doing basics again to to freshen him up and get him utilizing his body better as well as mine too. So i did slow work and drills for like 4 weeks(but it rained alot so now the only place i can ride is the road cuz he will all 4 shoes if i ride him in any type of mud.)
So at jackpots or any barrel race ive been going to at one of my fave arenas, hes been COMPLETELY ducking at the second barrel. I run him to the left. So i was HAULING A** in and he sat perfectly and we made a BEAUTIFUL first barrel then i look at my next pocket and get him over to the second barrel and right when we were about to turn the front side of the barrel, he shot on the wrong side.(i was using my feey and has his nose) He knows the pattern too. hes done this quite a few times. had him checked for soreness. None. had a theraplate and chiro session. checked his feet, his teeth, his back. But he never does this during slow work at home or at an other arena. Is it just that he is being sour? I was thinking i should take him to this arena and get like 6 exhibitions and run him in this arena and correct him everytime he ducks until he doesnt do it anymore. (to show him that im the boss and that everytime he ducks on a barrel hes gonna have to work his butt off.) ANy suggestions? i would attach a video but i can find one. ill post one when i find it. Thanks!
If hes only ducking the second barrel at this one arena and dont duck anywhere else then I would stop going to that arena. If you keep exhibitioning your horse over and over trying to show him whos boss is not going to work, 6 exhibitions is to much. Your are going to burn him out. Just dont go to that one arena where hes ducking. |
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Miss Southern Sunshine
Posts: 7427
Location: South Central Florida | I would avoid that arena. If it is just something at that arena, your feeding a bad habbit.
We had a mare with this problem, she ran right, we switched her to the left and it seemed to clear the problem up. First we ruled out all possible pain issues. Then did a lot of drills skipping the second barrel sort of. Lope the first, run/rate the second back up a little turn to the third, finish the pattern. A trainer did this drill and between that and changing direction we addressed the problem.
With that said, there is a rider here locally that also runs nationally and she has a kick as gelding...will smoke everyone anywhere. BUT, every once in a while he ducks the 2nd. I'm not sure what she does for him, I don't know her personally, just have seen him win WPRA's, State wide shows, miltidistrict shows and then duck. Its been about 5 years or so, and what he wins on good runs, makes him worth it
Good Luck, but I would skip the bad arena expecially since you don't know what is causing it.
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Don't Wanna Make This Awkward
Posts: 3106
Location: Texas | FearTheRedPaint - 2015-11-20 8:49 AM Well the thing is he doesnt do it on the third barrel and his third barrel is the same turn as the 2nd. Also he doesnt hesitate or anything at all. Another thing he only does it @ Jeff SMiths arena in terrel. Never done it anywhere else(i haul him every other weekend for Highschool Rodeo and we go to differenct arenas.) And during my run i made sure if anything i sat down later to so he would maybe go past the barrel then turn
You didn't address the question I asked at all...
Have you taken him to a vet that knows performance horses to get checked ? There is only one person I would be taking him to and that's Dr. Thoni in Kilgore. He is the cheapest of the best vets around here. I wouldn't be running at any competitions until he's been seen.
He may not be doing it at new arenas YET. You've also ran him at cowboy collection a lot before he started doing this, right?
Most horses don't duck at the third barrel, they either run up past the first or duck at the second because, depending on which side is initiating the pain, that's when they try and get out of it.
I know lameness exams are expensive and your parents may not understand, but I promise it's worth it to have it done. You are going to ruin this horse if he is hurting and you keep running him. |
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Location: In my own little world | I'm still not sold on the fact that it would be a soundness issue. Especially when you say it only happens at this one arena. It certainly could be but I would look at a lot of other factors as well. What is behind the 2nd barrel, are you rating it correctly, your body position and cues. And if I couldn't figure it out from watching videos of runs from that place then I would forget running there and save both you and the horse a lot of frustration and money. |
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Location: In my own little world | I'm still not sold on the fact that it would be a soundness issue. Especially when you say it only happens at this one arena. It certainly could be but I would look at a lot of other factors as well. What is behind the 2nd barrel, are you rating it correctly, your body position and cues. And if I couldn't figure it out from watching videos of runs from that place then I would forget running there and save both you and the horse a lot of frustration and money. |
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Miracle in the Making
Posts: 4013
| Southtxponygirl - 2015-11-20 2:58 PM FearTheRedPaint - 2015-11-19 9:59 AM Hey guys. i havent been on in a while! been soo busy.
Anyway so i took some advice from yall and started doing basics again to to freshen him up and get him utilizing his body better as well as mine too. So i did slow work and drills for like 4 weeks(but it rained alot so now the only place i can ride is the road cuz he will all 4 shoes if i ride him in any type of mud.)
So at jackpots or any barrel race ive been going to at one of my fave arenas, hes been COMPLETELY ducking at the second barrel. I run him to the left. So i was HAULING A** in and he sat perfectly and we made a BEAUTIFUL first barrel then i look at my next pocket and get him over to the second barrel and right when we were about to turn the front side of the barrel, he shot on the wrong side.(i was using my feey and has his nose) He knows the pattern too. hes done this quite a few times. had him checked for soreness. None. had a theraplate and chiro session. checked his feet, his teeth, his back. But he never does this during slow work at home or at an other arena. Is it just that he is being sour? I was thinking i should take him to this arena and get like 6 exhibitions and run him in this arena and correct him everytime he ducks until he doesnt do it anymore. (to show him that im the boss and that everytime he ducks on a barrel hes gonna have to work his butt off.) ANy suggestions? i would attach a video but i can find one. ill post one when i find it. Thanks!
i agree we had a mare never ducked ever had her 5 years and she was a really nice mare went to clemson sc she ducked the second barrel was in shock
had our second run she place in 1 d
went back several months later dam if she did not do it again 2 nd run inhaled it and again place 1d
and she had been rodeo and horseshow every weekened prior it was a 2 time thing then never again
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Member
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| ropenrun - 2015-11-22 2:24 AM I'm still not sold on the fact that it would be a soundness issue. Especially when you say it only happens at this one arena. It certainly could be but I would look at a lot of other factors as well. What is behind the 2nd barrel, are you rating it correctly, your body position and cues. And if I couldn't figure it out from watching videos of runs from that place then I would forget running there and save both you and the horse a lot of frustration and money.
behind my 2nd barrel is the stands and the people sitting in them. I was rating him well and got his nose and tried to kick him past the barrel. I cant afford any soundness exam lol and my parents wouldnt let me do it. But when i first got him the vet drew blood and did a full vet check and he was %100 good to go. but that was like a year and a half ago. He isnt sore bc i do soreness checks on him atleast every other day. saddle fits. Ive have nice 5 star pad and he seems to love it. He isnt ever stiff. I stretch him before and after i ride him. I massage his back and loins and his butt and neck. i cold hose his legs after an intense ride. My farrier after every visit says hes good and not lame whats so ever. Maybe just not run at that arena anymore. Its not worth blowing him up. And if i ever do go to that arena i will just do slow work and nothing else. |
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 Take a Picture
Posts: 12838
| Do you have any idea what all can happen to a horse in that amount of time? I would save my money from entry fees and not ride the horse until he is checked out, you can certainly create problems that may not be fixable.
I thought about something else. How long has it been since this horse's teeth have been floated?
Edited by streakysox 2015-11-22 3:53 PM
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Expert
Posts: 3147
| When I first started riding my four year old after I got her back from the trainers she ducked the second at one of the first shows I took her to. Trainer said when they're young and inexperienced if they get unsure or scared they will duck because they are wanting to get out of the arena. He said to slow her back down and build her confidence. I did and she never ducked again. |
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Member
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| streakysox - 2015-11-22 3:08 PM Do you have any idea what all can happen to a horse in that amount of time? I would save my money from entry fees and not ride the horse until he is checked out, you can certainly create problems that may not be fixable. I thought about something else. How long has it been since this horse's teeth have been floated?
Yes just had them done like 2 months ago:) |
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Take a Picture
Posts: 12838
| FearTheRedPaint - 2015-11-23 9:31 AM
streakysox - 2015-11-22 3:08 PM Do you have any idea what all can happen to a horse in that amount of time? I would save my money from entry fees and not ride the horse until he is checked out, you can certainly create problems that may not be fixable. I thought about something else. How long has it been since this horse's teeth have been floated?
Yes just had them done like 2 months ago:)
We're they done by a vet?
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A Somebody to Everybody
Posts: 41354
Location: Under The Big Sky Of Texas | When a horse starts ducking this is a problem that is hard to fix if its not taking care as soon as possible, I would be giving this horse a break, find a good lameness vet have it ckecked over and then if no problems find someone that can help you with this horse. But dont keep running this horse over and over in exhibitons that wont fix the problem. |
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Shelter Dog Lover
Posts: 10277
| Southtxponygirl - 2015-11-23 10:08 AM
When a horse starts ducking this is a problem that is hard to fix if its not taking care as soon as possible, I would be giving this horse a break, find a good lameness vet have it ckecked over and then if no problems find someone that can help you with this horse. But dont keep running this horse over and over in exhibitons that wont fix the problem.
Ditto. I know you are young but find a way to get your horse seen by a good vet. A good horse can be ruined by being forced to run in pain. |
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Member
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| streakysox - 2015-11-23 9:59 AM FearTheRedPaint - 2015-11-23 9:31 AM streakysox - 2015-11-22 3:08 PM Do you have any idea what all can happen to a horse in that amount of time? I would save my money from entry fees and not ride the horse until he is checked out, you can certainly create problems that may not be fixable. I thought about something else. How long has it been since this horse's teeth have been floated? Yes just had them done like 2 months ago:) We're they done by a vet?
Yes Ma'am! |
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Take a Picture
Posts: 12838
| FearTheRedPaint - 2015-11-24 9:37 AM
streakysox - 2015-11-23 9:59 AM FearTheRedPaint - 2015-11-23 9:31 AM streakysox - 2015-11-22 3:08 PM Do you have any idea what all can happen to a horse in that amount of time? I would save my money from entry fees and not ride the horse until he is checked out, you can certainly create problems that may not be fixable. I thought about something else. How long has it been since this horse's teeth have been floated? Yes just had them done like 2 months ago:) We're they done by a vet?
Vets are the WORST choice. I saw one vet get two done in 15 minutes. Equine dentists are far superior. Get the horse's teeth done by an equine dentist.
Edited by streakysox 2015-11-24 9:53 AM
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Member
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| streakysox - 2015-11-24 9:48 AM FearTheRedPaint - 2015-11-24 9:37 AM streakysox - 2015-11-23 9:59 AM FearTheRedPaint - 2015-11-23 9:31 AM streakysox - 2015-11-22 3:08 PM Do you have any idea what all can happen to a horse in that amount of time? I would save my money from entry fees and not ride the horse until he is checked out, you can certainly create problems that may not be fixable. I thought about something else. How long has it been since this horse's teeth have been floated? Yes just had them done like 2 months ago:) We're they done by a vet? Vets are the WORST choice. I saw one vet get two done in 15 minutes. Equine dentists are far superior. Get the horse's teeth done by an equine dentist.
i am next time. i had just moved to a new barn and i hadnt got the equine dentist number that i used at my last barn. But he had ducked after he had gotten them done by an equine dentist too. Im thinking he just being a brat and is burnt out in this arena a little bit. |
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The Advice Guru
Posts: 6419
| FearTheRedPaint - 2015-11-22 12:47 PM
ropenrun - 2015-11-22 2:24 AM I'm still not sold on the fact that it would be a soundness issue. Especially when you say it only happens at this one arena. It certainly could be but I would look at a lot of other factors as well. What is behind the 2nd barrel, are you rating it correctly, your body position and cues. And if I couldn't figure it out from watching videos of runs from that place then I would forget running there and save both you and the horse a lot of frustration and money.
behind my 2nd barrel is the stands and the people sitting in them. I was rating him well and got his nose and tried to kick him past the barrel. I cant afford any soundness exam lol and my parents wouldnt let me do it. But when i first got him the vet drew blood and did a full vet check and he was %100 good to go. but that was like a year and a half ago. He isnt sore bc i do soreness checks on him atleast every other day. saddle fits. Ive have nice 5 star pad and he seems to love it. He isnt ever stiff. I stretch him before and after i ride him. I massage his back and loins and his butt and neck. i cold hose his legs after an intense ride. My farrier after every visit says hes good and not lame whats so ever. Maybe just not run at that arena anymore. Its not worth blowing him up. And if i ever do go to that arena i will just do slow work and nothing else.
What soreness checks are you doing?
Are you checking the hocks? Have you flexed him? Myself, I can do a flexion test, but I cannot tell if they are a grade 1-3 lamness with the flexion. I have to send a video to my vet who then tells me if I am imagining things or if I need to haul the 4 hours down |
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BHW's Simon Cowell
Location: The Saudia Arabia of Wind Energy, Western Oklahoma | FearTheRedPaint - 2015-11-20 8:49 AM Well the thing is he doesnt do it on the third barrel and his third barrel is the same turn as the 2nd. Also he doesnt hesitate or anything at all. Another thing he only does it @ Jeff SMiths arena in terrel. Never done it anywhere else(i haul him every other weekend for Highschool Rodeo and we go to differenct arenas.) And during my run i made sure if anything i sat down later to so he would maybe go past the barrel then turn
That doesn't mean a thing. I have seen lots of horses that would duck the second and not the third. The second is much more of a turn than the 3rd and soundness problems usually show up there. |
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Member
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| cheryl makofka - 2015-11-24 11:19 AM FearTheRedPaint - 2015-11-22 12:47 PM ropenrun - 2015-11-22 2:24 AM I'm still not sold on the fact that it would be a soundness issue. Especially when you say it only happens at this one arena. It certainly could be but I would look at a lot of other factors as well. What is behind the 2nd barrel, are you rating it correctly, your body position and cues. And if I couldn't figure it out from watching videos of runs from that place then I would forget running there and save both you and the horse a lot of frustration and money. behind my 2nd barrel is the stands and the people sitting in them. I was rating him well and got his nose and tried to kick him past the barrel. I cant afford any soundness exam lol and my parents wouldnt let me do it. But when i first got him the vet drew blood and did a full vet check and he was %100 good to go. but that was like a year and a half ago. He isnt sore bc i do soreness checks on him atleast every other day. saddle fits. Ive have nice 5 star pad and he seems to love it. He isnt ever stiff. I stretch him before and after i ride him. I massage his back and loins and his butt and neck. i cold hose his legs after an intense ride. My farrier after every visit says hes good and not lame whats so ever. Maybe just not run at that arena anymore. Its not worth blowing him up. And if i ever do go to that arena i will just do slow work and nothing else. What soreness checks are you doing? Are you checking the hocks? Have you flexed him? Myself, I can do a flexion test, but I cannot tell if they are a grade 1-3 lamness with the flexion. I have to send a video to my vet who then tells me if I am imagining things or if I need to haul the 4 hours down
I literally check his whole body. check pressure points, I flex him, See if there is ANY kind of negative responce. I massage wherever he is found sore or ice it or put linement or do a theraplate session. |
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Shelter Dog Lover
Posts: 10277
| FearTheRedPaint - 2015-11-24 2:53 PM cheryl makofka - 2015-11-24 11:19 AM FearTheRedPaint - 2015-11-22 12:47 PM ropenrun - 2015-11-22 2:24 AM I'm still not sold on the fact that it would be a soundness issue. Especially when you say it only happens at this one arena. It certainly could be but I would look at a lot of other factors as well. What is behind the 2nd barrel, are you rating it correctly, your body position and cues. And if I couldn't figure it out from watching videos of runs from that place then I would forget running there and save both you and the horse a lot of frustration and money. behind my 2nd barrel is the stands and the people sitting in them. I was rating him well and got his nose and tried to kick him past the barrel. I cant afford any soundness exam lol and my parents wouldnt let me do it. But when i first got him the vet drew blood and did a full vet check and he was %100 good to go. but that was like a year and a half ago. He isnt sore bc i do soreness checks on him atleast every other day. saddle fits. Ive have nice 5 star pad and he seems to love it. He isnt ever stiff. I stretch him before and after i ride him. I massage his back and loins and his butt and neck. i cold hose his legs after an intense ride. My farrier after every visit says hes good and not lame whats so ever. Maybe just not run at that arena anymore. Its not worth blowing him up. And if i ever do go to that arena i will just do slow work and nothing else. What soreness checks are you doing? Are you checking the hocks? Have you flexed him? Myself, I can do a flexion test, but I cannot tell if they are a grade 1-3 lamness with the flexion. I have to send a video to my vet who then tells me if I am imagining things or if I need to haul the 4 hours down
Your attentiveness to your horse is to be admired. Think of it like this though, if what you are doing was working your issue would be resolved. He might need a real vet to look at him. |
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Horse ducking on second barrel?