Posted 2016-04-14 11:12 AM Subject: hand position around barrel
boon
Posts: 4
So watching "top" barrel racers or reading articles there seems to be two different ways to have your had around the barrel either out with palm down, or towards your belt buckle or hip with your wrist rolled. I guess my question is what is the advantage or disadvantage to each hand position and is one more desirable then the other for a certain horse (like free running vs ratey)?
Posted 2016-04-14 12:35 PM Subject: RE: hand position around barrel
Good Grief!
Posts: 6343 Location: Cap'n Joan Rotgut.....alberta
Whatever works for that particular horse....its not a cookie cutter event....what works for one may not work the same for another...so find what works for you and your horse...m
Posted 2016-04-14 12:57 PM Subject: RE: hand position around barrel
Expert
Posts: 1531 Location: Oklahoma
you tube some of the Ed Wright clinic clips , there are some good hand position ones as Ed is famous for bands in mane to show hand position :)
. Jackie Jatzlau also explains it very well if you can find clips of her mini clinic at Vegas in '15 or from a clinic :) .. As does Kendra Dickson .. ( no go zone being hands at withers/horn)
After 40 yrs of this myself , things have evolved in style, horses and techniques ... Mainly I find in less heavy ratey style "set n pull to the hip" to more forward "run In deeper and come around close " elbow bent close to body ..hands half way up the neck ..you move hand thumbs up to right or up a bit or twist your wrist if horse needs a bit more help.It also depends on the bit action what you do (gag vs shank etc) Too much of any hand action slows you down so the goal is guiding..
Easier for younger n newbies than us oldies who were taught way different in the 70s n80s.
Frankly I'm just trying to hang on ;)
Posted 2016-04-14 1:52 PM Subject: RE: hand position around barrel
Expert
Posts: 1611
mruggles - 2016-04-14 1:35 PM
Whatever works for that particular horse....its not a cookie cutter event....what works for one may not work the same for another...so find what works for you and your horse...m
Yupp...
No one's style is the same and literally theres no right or wrong in a judged event. Starfish and Whipping you'll see it jackpot, play day, futurity, and professional....don't make fun though bc sometimes that lil girl or boy whipping like a monkey and hanging off the side sure as poop will take your money!!!
hand position around barrel
