Just curious if anyone has had issues with a horse becoming super ratey ( 2nd and 3rd barrels ) because of sore hocks or something else.
I have hit more barrels already this year than I care to admit - I had been thinking/ chalking it up to me picking up some bad habits. I think I actually have as far as where I am looking. Have been working on those. However I am seriously thinking it may be a soreness issue somewhere. No problems with the first barrel because we have plenty of momentum keeping our forward motion.
She has always been more ratey indoors but has now become even more ratey out doors which is really unlike her.
No to say it's totally out of the realm of possibility, but in my experience sore hocks/stifles would make a horse NOT want to rate and use their hind end as much, due to the pain.
From my experience my horse really started over anticipating the barrels when he was sore -- if they hurt they are compensating early to try to offset the pain in the turn - it is definetely worth having a vet look at your horse before it becomes a habit.
Horse becoming super ratey - sore hocks or?
