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 Expert
Posts: 1631
   
Location: Somewhere around here | Horses sure do have a knack for making you humble, don't they? My horse is a guy who has a bunch of talent, and so/so heart. If you don't ride him perfectly then you're going to have a less than steller run.
With horses like this, please tell me that once you get synced with your horse and do ride them perfectly almost every run, that all the bad times were worth it. Or any tips on reminding yourself to ride the best way for your horse?
Sincerely,  |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 889
| It'll all be worth it. Keep it simple. Don't over think. The challenges will make you and your horse better. |
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Veteran
Posts: 277
| I hear you! Adding speed to a solid patterned horse here, run before last was amazing!! last run, disaster!! It will be worth it, but they sure are humbling. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 534
Location: Ohio girl moved to PA | Hard work always pays off!! remember to have FUN!! thats what this is all about anyways! |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 477
Location: Lost in the swamps | I've got a friend that's struggling and have been thru this myself. For 4 years I fought with one. Horse has the athleticism and all the talent in the world just can't hold it togeather when the lights come on. Tried lots of SLOW work, multiple trainers, the list goes on. Just didn't happen. Give it some time. But there comes a time you need to know when to cut your losses and just feel he doesn't wanna be a barrel horse. I retired my gelding 6 years ago and was the best Decision for us both. He is much happier toteing around kids. |
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 Extreme Veteran
Posts: 356
| I started my gelding on the pattern in late 2003. Didn't know anything, wanted to run barrels and decided to figure out how to teach him  It was tough. Looking back I honestly don't know how I stuck with him! He was turned out from mid 2011-the end of 2013 due to an injury and my preparation for and reign as Miss Rodeo SD. Prior to that period of turn out, he was a barrel crashing monster that was awful to get in the arena. Granted, a lot of that was due to the injury. I started him back at the beginning of 2014, got his mind put back together and he'd go in the arena fine, but we were still crashing barrels more often than not. Switched directions, fixed my riding, and he's a completely different horse! Stick with it...it really is worth it in the end. What really helped turn things around for me was to go to 2 clinics within a month's time. The first clinic was with a futurity trainer and primarily focused on the horse - using their body correctly through the turns, different exercises to teach them to do that, suppling them up, etc. The second clinic was with an NFR qualifier and focused more on the rider as a jockey. There was some work on teaching the horse to use its body correctly, but the primary focus was how to be the best jockey you can be. It was like a light bulb went on for me! |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 889
Location: on the fine line between insanity and geniusness | One day you're the chicken, the next day feathers! Be patient and trust your training! No great one was ever made over night. Eventually you riding him "perfect" will become natural thanks to muscle memory. Don't put too much pressure on you or him to figure it all out over night. My good horse broke an arena record a few weeks ago- he's TWELVE and I raised him. A year ago- he was either a champ or a chump, no happy medium. He's finally grown up and gotten solid, because I learned to relax and trust him. Remember, it's all part of a very rewarding process. |
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 Expert
Posts: 5293
| I have changed my tune at age 44!!! I used to want to work with one until I had tried everything to get one where I wanted them to be. But there are so many nice willing prospects out there that I will work with one 6 months and if we are not on the right path then I sell and either someone else can see what they get done or they are sold to a different job. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 788
| Rome was not built in a day. My husband reminds me often! Lol if you have the necessary tools and knowledge then it will get better unless the horse literally does not want to run barrels. If u need help, don't be scared to reach out to someone for help. As long as you are making baby steps never give up. The only time I say it will not get better is if you get to the point where the horse is hurting your confidence. Then it's not worth it, you need something else. |
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Tell me that it's worth it in the end