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 Extreme Veteran
Posts: 331
 
Location: Loma Linda, CA | What are common mistakes you constantly see barrel racers make and how can we avoid them.
What is the best approach to becoming the best barrel racer one can be?
The NFR has me all amped and excited for when I am able to pursue rodeo so would just love some feedback 
Edited by Phxbarrel 2015-12-08 1:16 AM
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| Item number 1 ..
Ride your big alleyway broom or apple picker as a stick horse around a barrel pattern and let the back end drag the ground ...... ..
Mark your 30-35' spot to turn toward the first barrel .. it is the tuffest because if you approach straight to the barrel your horse will get lost because it is 1 1/4 turns ..
it will teach you more about how much horse to have out in front of you and not to forget about the other half of the horse behind you ...
When you can turn a barrel like Fame Fling N Bling and Sarah Rose does without touching the barrel ... then go get your horse ....
(you can run a short pattern .. I am not trying to kill you.. lol)
Edited by BARRELHORSE USA 2015-12-08 1:44 AM
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I AM being nice
Posts: 4396
Location: MD | In all honesty, the biggest mistake that I see most people making is that they're too worried about speed.
As for the best thing that a person can do to help themselves to become a better barrel racer.... become humble, become observant and be open to things that you may not think have any relevance. |
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 Midget Lover
 
Location: Kentucky | BARRELHORSE USA - 2015-12-08 2:41 AM
Item number 1 ..
Ride your big alleyway broom or apple picker as a stick horse around a barrel pattern and let the back end drag the ground ...... ..
Mark your 30-35' spot to turn toward the first barrel .. it is the tuffest because if you approach straight to the barrel your horse will get lost because it is 1 1/4 turns ..
it will teach you more about how much horse to have out in front of you and not to forget about the other half of the horse behind you ...
When you can turn a barrel like Fame Fling N Bling and Sarah Rose does without touching the barrel ... then go get your horse ....
(you can run a short pattern .. I am not trying to kill you.. lol)
What? |
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 Sorry I don't have any advice
Posts: 1975
Location: Sunnyland Florida |
I think the most common mistakes are:
Starting the turn too soon.
Adding speed too soon.
Not getting help when things go south repeatedly.
Overriding - ditch the whips and spurs.
Paying attention to pockets.
Heavy hands.
Over practicing and making the horse hate it.
Riding a sore horse.
The best approach to becoming a better barrel racer is to get help - consistently. Go to one or two clinics a year and get help in between.
Edited by Runaway 2015-12-08 8:28 AM
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 Undercover Amish Mafia Member
Posts: 9992
Location: Kansas | Murphy - 2015-12-08 6:58 AM BARRELHORSE USA - 2015-12-08 2:41 AM Item number 1 .. Ride your big alleyway broom or apple picker as a stick horse around a barrel pattern and let the back end drag the ground ...... .. Mark your 30-35' spot to turn toward the first barrel .. it is the tuffest because if you approach straight to the barrel your horse will get lost because it is 1 1/4 turns .. it will teach you more about how much horse to have out in front of you and not to forget about the other half of the horse behind you ... When you can turn a barrel like Fame Fling N Bling and Sarah Rose does without touching the barrel ... then go get your horse .... (you can run a short pattern .. I am not trying to kill you.. lol) What?
I scratch my head at all his posts. |
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 Owner of a ratting catting machine
Posts: 2258
| Honestly, having made the mistake myself and having to do it the hard way:
Turn off your pride.
Go to every clinic with professionals you possibly can.
Go to every horsemanship clinic you can get into.
Go to lessons with a reining or working cow horse trainer.
Use all the money you'd be competing on to get the best education you can.
If you can, get a part time job at an equine clinic, and try to get in on every lameness exam you can.
If someone who is beating you says your horse looks sore, take it to a good lameness vet and get checked.
Then, when you can exhibition at your goal entry times, enter up and get to it!!
I wish I had known that help was available, and how very valuable it really is. Good vets are indispensable, and are to be valued. Seek out the best farrier, seek out the best performance dentist, learn about drugs and supplements. Never stop getting online and searching for answers.
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 BHW Resident Surgeon
Posts: 25352
Location: Bastrop, Texas | Just my opinion here, as I've only been doing this for about 9 years:
- learn the importance of riding with the lower half of your body....driving with your pelvis, using inside and outside legs to guide and shape, learning to rate/stop more with your body position and less with hands.
- learn to keep them squared up going into the turns.
- keep your weight to the outside in the turns, and avoid leaning in.
- study how some horses clock well, even though they don't seem to be running as "fast" as others......because they are very efficient and know how to use themselves.
- give your young horses the best possible foundation by sending them to a good, solid, honest reputable trainer...one who will put a great handle on them, who will teach you what a well broke horse should be. It's the best possible investment you can make.
- learn to keep your weight back and your butt in the saddle, especially in the turns. Getting up and over too much makes them heavy in the fore, which is unnatural and slows them down. That's different than getting up over your belt buckle.
- There's a difference between gaping your legs and kicking the wind out of them, versus driving with your pelvis and kicking only with your lower legs.....watch Lisa and Sherri.
- Slow work.....it's hard to overdo it, and so important.
Edited by Bear 2015-12-09 10:20 AM
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 Expert
Posts: 1612
Location: Cocoa, Florida | BARRELHORSE USA - 2015-12-08 1:41 AM
Item number 1 ..
Ride your big alleyway broom or apple picker as a stick horse around a barrel pattern and let the back end drag the ground ...... ..
Mark your 30-35' spot to turn toward the first barrel .. it is the tuffest because if you approach straight to the barrel your horse will get lost because it is 1 1/4 turns ..
it will teach you more about how much horse to have out in front of you and not to forget about the other half of the horse behind you ...
When you can turn a barrel like Fame Fling N Bling and Sarah Rose does without touching the barrel ... then go get your horse ....
(you can run a short pattern .. I am not trying to kill you.. lol)
Sarah and bling are an amazing team but not every horse can be ridden like that. If I rode on my horses neck I would come off or throw her on her front end, you can't compare apples to oranges. |
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 Expert
Posts: 2097
Location: Deep South | The number one rookie mistake I see is not putting an emphasis on horsemanship.
Develop your horsemanship first and foremost. It will have the single greatest impact on your barrel racing.
If you have the opportunity to ride with an accomplished rider/trainer of another discipline, do it!! Be it reining, cutting, reined cowhorse, dressage, etc. |
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 Experienced Mouse Trapper
Posts: 3106
Location: North Dakota | WrapSnap - 2015-12-08 3:58 AM In all honesty, the biggest mistake that I see most people making is that they're too worried about speed. As for the best thing that a person can do to help themselves to become a better barrel racer.... become humble, become observant and be open to things that you may not think have any relevance.
And, always be willing to learn-I've been doing this for 34 years and learn something new almost every time I swing a leg over a horse. There are people that are willing to help and they are usually the ones with the least vocal opinion. |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 1037
| Runaway - 2015-12-08 8:27 AM
I think the most common mistakes are:
Starting the turn too soon.
Adding speed too soon.
Not getting help when things go south repeatedly.
Overriding - ditch the whips and spurs.
Paying attention to pockets.
Heavy hands.
Over practicing and making the horse hate it.
Riding a sore horse.
The best approach to becoming a better barrel racer is to get help - consistently. Go to one or two clinics a year and get help in between.
Totally agree with you on the whipping/riding too much.
I am getting back into it after a 8 year break and I think i need to ditch the over and under. |
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Owner of a ratting catting machine
Posts: 2258
| LMS - 2015-12-08 9:44 AM
WrapSnap - 2015-12-08 3:58 AM In all honesty, the biggest mistake that I see most people making is that they're too worried about speed. As for the best thing that a person can do to help themselves to become a better barrel racer.... become humble, become observant and be open to things that you may not think have any relevance.
And, always be willing to learn-I've been doing this for 34 years and learn something new almost every time I swing a leg over a horse. There are people that are willing to help and they are usually the ones with the least vocal opinion.
I agree. And when you do find them and are able to heckle them into helping--always find a way to pay them. Whether it be sneaking cash into the kitchen counter, or bringing them a new tack set, or a gift card--always do SOMETHING for them.
Often they pay good money, sweat, blood, and tears to be able to show you anything of value, and appreciation shown makes them want to keep giving.
The fastest way to turn somebody off from helping is to bluntly tell them why you know better. Even if you think you know better, ride their way, and try it out. Might turn out you needed to learn the theory and incorporate it into your style.
Also, be careful as to whom you choose. The flashiest horse, tack, and rig don't speak for talent and ability to coach. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 331
Location: Loma Linda, CA | These are all such amazing responses!
What clinics do you recommend?
I was looking at maybe doing a Josey Clinic this year and an Ed Wright. I missed him in California last year, but this year is a definite must.
I also have access to Kristin Weaver Brown and Lyndee Stairs. |
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 Expert
Posts: 2128
| A rookie mistake I see often is focusing all energy and money on the horse..and not the rider. Its always about buying a better horse, saddle, equipment. Lets not forget that without good horsemanship all that is obsolete. Spend money on lessons, clinics, books. Work to improve yourself as well as your horse. |
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 Shelter Dog Lover
Posts: 10277
| Phxbarrel - 2015-12-08 12:22 PM These are all such amazing responses! What clinics do you recommend? I was looking at maybe doing a Josey Clinic this year and an Ed Wright. I missed him in California last year, but this year is a definite must. I also have access to Kristin Weaver Brown and Lyndee Stairs.
I would skip the Martha Josey clinic. While my girls benefitted from it and I am glad they went, I can't see it really helping a more advanced rider like a smaller clinic would. We attended one at their ranch and it is more of a generic approach. You do get some one on one time but not much. I think they learned the most from the session where they watch their runs and analyze them. |
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Owner of a ratting catting machine
Posts: 2258
| Lyndee Stairs. Charmayne James if you can get her. Ed Wright had me all kerfuddled, I won't go back, but he does offer good horsemanship pointers above all things. |
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Expert
Posts: 2097
Location: Deep South | Phxbarrel - 2015-12-08 12:22 PM
These are all such amazing responses!
What clinics do you recommend?
I was looking at maybe doing a Josey Clinic this year and an Ed Wright. I missed him in California last year, but this year is a definite must.
I also have access to Kristin Weaver Brown and Lyndee Stairs.
Kristin Weaver Brown is fantastic to learn from. She puts a lot of emphasis on horsemanship. |
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 Take a Picture
Posts: 12841
| RnRJack - 2015-12-08 9:27 AM
BARRELHORSE USA - 2015-12-08 1:41 AM
Item number 1 ..
Ride your big alleyway broom or apple picker as a stick horse around a barrel pattern and let the back end drag the ground ...... ..
Mark your 30-35' spot to turn toward the first barrel .. it is the tuffest because if you approach straight to the barrel your horse will get lost because it is 1 1/4 turns ..
it will teach you more about how much horse to have out in front of you and not to forget about the other half of the horse behind you ...
When you can turn a barrel like Fame Fling N Bling and Sarah Rose does without touching the barrel ... then go get your horse ....
(you can run a short pattern .. I am not trying to kill you.. lol)
Sarah and bling are an amazing team but not every horse can be ridden like that. If I rode on my horses neck I would come off or throw her on her front end, you can't compare apples to oranges.
You did not understand that? try a clinic, they will tell you the same thing. You will be on a horse instead of a broom. |
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 Expert
Posts: 3782
Location: Gainesville, TX | Everyone says go to clinics and I TOTALLY agree BUT sometimes you can get so many philosophies and such running through your head that you will get mixed up pretty quick. And telling your horse how to do one thing three months of the year and then going to another clinic and switching it up to something else is just going to make for a sour confused animal, if you don't confuse the heck out of yourself too. I love knowing as much as I can and processing new info. But I do so through a couple filters I've already judged to be worthwhile. If the new method or idea doesn't jive with that primary framework for my horses, I scrap it or may look at how it could be adapted to the overall method I've already adopted.
As for deciding on the primary framework, if the overall method is more focused on just certain techniques that have helped that person win than it is the long term ability of the animal (i.e. not focused enough on horsemanship), I'm probably going to take very little from it. As such I'm less concerned with whether or not the clinician wants a roll back style or v or box or free runners or push style or such. I want to know the clinician is a horseman I can respect outside of the barrel pen and that I can take my horse and go trail ride, rope, and use that animal in other ways.
I'd say pick a few that have similar philosophies and then use them as a base. Don't base your decision just on money won either. A lot of people can train a horse to win a few times or can jockey one but then they blow up down the road.
Personally I like trainers/clinicians that have a natural horsemanship base BUT ARE NOT MONEY HOUNDS or OVERSIMPLISTIC. Thus I avoid Clinton Anderson and Pat Parelli. I prefer some of the methods and books from Monty Roberts. I really like Ray Hunt and Buck Brannaman stuff. Liana DeWeese trains for me and she uses a lot of what she got from Ray Hunt. She also has trained with Ed Wright, so I went to one of his clinics this weekend. Essentially I picked a method/structure I thought would benefit my horse's mind and body most and then get as much help as I can from people involved with it. I also like that these methods are generally beneficial away from the barrel pattern.
And I don't really care that my horses might move along plenty fast and win some money if I'd just get out there and realize the roll back style works and then got after it. I don't care that that is the turn style I ride best. If I truly care about my horse, by gosh I can learn to ride using what I genuinely judge to be the best method based on what I'm taught. In many ways, it is easier to adapt my own style than my horses'. So I try to be consistent for them. I care that I have a well rounded, sound, happy animal who enjoys their job at the end of the day. If I win some money too, great.
That being said, moving a horse too fast or too slow, thinking a gadget will fix something instead of training, and lack of foundation are the most common mistakes I think are out there. One I personally struggle with is the mental game, which a lot of people do. I get much more nervous and key my horses up at an actual race when I would have done better if I just relaxed and focused on the horse and the run rather than the money I might win. |
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 Saint Stacey
| Biggest mistake is over practicing and using exhibitions. If you have to make 5 exhibitions at a jackpot to get your horse to work, don't waste your money on entering a rodeo.
Over riding and listening to people screaming to "kick, hustle"! Most of the time I'm thinking.."no! Slow down! Your horse doesn't need that".
Being afraid to ask simple questions and knowing the rules of that specific rodeo.
Being star struck by being around the big names. They get mauled enough by fans. They don't want to be eating dinner in the hospitality tent and have someone go all Crazed Fan on them who is a fellow contestant. |
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Cat Collector
Posts: 1430
| Biggest mistake is listening to what everyone else has to tell you, try and find 1 person who you look up to and who rides like you and go from there... Do NOT listen to what everyone tells you. Be our own person, have respect for your horse and the people around you. |
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 BHW Jr. Cougar of the Year
Posts: 14957
Location: Heart of Texas | Like others have said, horsemanship is the most important thing. I recomend taking English lessons to everyone. I probably should too, since I haven't ridden English since back in the dark ages. Also, nothing good can come from exhibitioning your horse over and over. |
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Sorry I don't have any advice
Posts: 1975
Location: Sunnyland Florida |
As far as clinics go, Lyndee Stairs and Kristen Brown are great. Rheinhardt's are great if they come your way. Like another person stated, I also attended an Ed Wright clinic and was totally not impressed. I did learn a few feeding tips though, LOL.
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10D Crack Champion
| 1. Showing up at a rodeo or barrel race without the horse.
2. Showing up at a rodeo or barrel race without a saddle.
3. Showing up at a rodeo or barrel race without the trailer properly hitched.
4. Showing up at a rodeo or barrel race without clothing to meet the dress code. |
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Duct Tape Bikini Girl
Posts: 2554
| Beginners need to use their hands for holding on and guiding the horse. Leave the over and whips in the trailer.
Also, being a good rider requires conditioning. I'm not talking about weight. I'm talking about conditioning. The horse and rider need to be worked and conditioned. You will feel better and when you feel better, you perform better. |
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Expert
Posts: 2128
| SKM - 2015-12-08 5:03 PM Biggest mistake is over practicing and using exhibitions. If you have to make 5 exhibitions at a jackpot to get your horse to work, don't waste your money on entering a rodeo. Over riding and listening to people screaming to "kick, hustle"! Most of the time I'm thinking.."no! Slow down! Your horse doesn't need that". Being afraid to ask simple questions and knowing the rules of that specific rodeo. Being star struck by being around the big names. They get mauled enough by fans. They don't want to be eating dinner in the hospitality tent and have someone go all Crazed Fan on them who is a fellow contestant.
Agree on not approaching the big names. Unless they are at a signing even or meet and greet I don't believe in bothering them. |
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 Go For It!
Location: Texas |
Common rookie mistakes...
#1 - Overworking the barrel pattern (you may need lots of practice, but your pony doesn't)
#2 - Blaming the horse when things don't go right (always look at the rider first. No matter what your horse does, he does it because you have taught him it's okay to do that, or you didn't correct it in the beginning)
#3 - Getting advice from too many people (there is more than one way to get from point A to point B. Find someONE that has a riding style you like and that has had success with a few different horses, let them help you. Too many opinions are confusing for you and your horse)
#4 - Slow down, you have plenty of time (don't try to get there too fast, just take it one day at a time. Be a sponge, learn all you can. It's worth the wait when you do it the right way)
#5 - A lack of horsemanship (which goes with #4... your horse is a mirror image of who you are so make them AWESOME)
A tidbit of info... I can get on your horse and in two minutes tell you exactly what kind of rider you are and how much you focus on horsemanship. Your horse can tell me a bit about your personality too... just by leading him from the barn to the arena I can tell where you're at in your relationship with him. And those ground manners give me a pretty good idea of what he'll be like when I ride him as well. Horses are an open book and have very little to hide if you take the time to "tune in".
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Red Bull Agressive
Posts: 5981
Location: North Dakota | I have gone to a lot of barrel races and watched a lot of riders of all levels. Most commonly, I see people trying to add speed way to quickly, causing a lot of confusion and sloppy/rough runs. Before you even think about barrels you and your horse should be trained in basic dressage. Learn to sit correctly with light, subtle cues. Learn to RIDE your horse. You should be able to control his whole body and yours, which will allow for both of you to build proper strength and balance. Then once you have mastered that move on to barrels and use that dressage training to slowly get faster and faster while staying smooth and correct. This will prevent a lot of the issues you see at races (chronic barrel hitting, gate issues, blowing past barrels, etc.) I've seen SO many riders that have been riding for a long time and can stay on through about anything, but have NO finesse and if they worked on the things I mentioned they'd be at a whole other level of competitiveness. |
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  Sock eating dog owner
Posts: 4557
Location: Where the pavement ends and the West begins Utah | 1. Bad shoeing. 2. Know everything.3. Breast collar and back cinch to loose. 4. N o proper head gear.5. Don't know what a pocket is.6. Not knowing your horse. |
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 Guys Just Wanna Have Fun
Posts: 5530
Location: OH | Mount yourself to your ability--don't buy a 1D horse if you are a 4D rider.
For Gods sake---get the horse on the correct lead going to the first !!!!! LOL, pet peeve of mine.
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 Accident Prone
Posts: 22277
Location: 100 miles from Nowhere, AR | Mighty Broke - 2015-12-09 10:29 AM Mount yourself to your ability--don't buy a 1D horse if you are a 4D rider.
For Gods sake---get the horse on the correct lead going to the first !!!!! LOL, pet peeve of mine.
I do know what you mean about leads, but some horses do turn a better first if they have to gather to change leads at the turn. The rider has to know what they're doing to make that work tho. |
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Guys Just Wanna Have Fun
Posts: 5530
Location: OH | Three 4 Luck - 2015-12-09 11:39 AM Mighty Broke - 2015-12-09 10:29 AM Mount yourself to your ability--don't buy a 1D horse if you are a 4D rider.
For Gods sake---get the horse on the correct lead going to the first !!!!! LOL, pet peeve of mine.
I do know what you mean about leads, but some horses do turn a better first if they have to gather to change leads at the turn. The rider has to know what they're doing to make that work tho.
I disagree with that, but that is just my opinion. |
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Accident Prone
Posts: 22277
Location: 100 miles from Nowhere, AR | Mighty Broke - 2015-12-09 11:33 AM Three 4 Luck - 2015-12-09 11:39 AM Mighty Broke - 2015-12-09 10:29 AM Mount yourself to your ability--don't buy a 1D horse if you are a 4D rider.
For Gods sake---get the horse on the correct lead going to the first !!!!! LOL, pet peeve of mine.
I do know what you mean about leads, but some horses do turn a better first if they have to gather to change leads at the turn. The rider has to know what they're doing to make that work tho.
I train all mine to pick up the correct lead going in. But I have seen the wrong lead going in done on purpose to make a big long strided horse gather up and be snappier and it worked. That horse was super broke and soft tho. |
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Guys Just Wanna Have Fun
Posts: 5530
Location: OH | Three 4 Luck - 2015-12-09 12:54 PM Mighty Broke - 2015-12-09 11:33 AM Three 4 Luck - 2015-12-09 11:39 AM Mighty Broke - 2015-12-09 10:29 AM Mount yourself to your ability--don't buy a 1D horse if you are a 4D rider.
For Gods sake---get the horse on the correct lead going to the first !!!!! LOL, pet peeve of mine.
I do know what you mean about leads, but some horses do turn a better first if they have to gather to change leads at the turn. The rider has to know what they're doing to make that work tho. I train all mine to pick up the correct lead going in. But I have seen the wrong lead going in done on purpose to make a big long strided horse gather up and be snappier and it worked. That horse was super broke and soft tho.
There are exceptions to every rule, I have been taught that every time a horse changes leads you lose a tenth. |
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Common Rookie Mistakes