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Member
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Location: Texas | So I fell in love with my fiance's little mare that he team ropes off of... I started riding her when he was roping on his other good mare and took her through barrels just for fun while I was searching for the "right" barrel horse. She was so snappy and could bend out of this world. Obviously she had never seen barrels before but she felt so good, so I started taking her to a few races. This all happened within 4 months, and after her 4th race she placed 1st in the 4D. Me being proud of her I kept hauling her but she will not run as hard as when my fiance` team ropes off of her....
I CANNOT for the life of me get her to run anything under an 18.... My fiance' can turn steers on her/or have them heeled down in 7 sec. or under so why will she not run hard for me?
She is about 14.1 or 14.2, pretty small mare but I know she can run...
Maybe she just hates barrels or maybe its just too early for her to get it down (6 months into running barrels at this point and time). HELP |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 678
 
Location: Canada | Can you post a video of a run. There may be places you can improve on your time.
Don't try to compare her speed for heeling verses the speed on barrels as its apples and oranges. When she's heeling it's a short burst of speed in a fairly straight line. When she's running barrels you're asking her to run a lot great distance, include three additional turns, all in (typically) deeper ground.
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 Coyote Country Queen
Posts: 5666
| My husband's old heel horse could go out there and rope one quick. But he just isn't built for running barrels. He can and he does, but he just isn't fast! Not saying that all heel horses are that way, but it's a totally different job. |
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Married to a Louie Lover
Posts: 3303
 
| Have you breezed her some and really taught her how to run?
Time and confidence can help a lot of things. How long total have you been hauling her?
We have a couple rope horses who have made the transition to barrels and some barrel horses that have made the transition to rope horses. Doesn’t mean they will fully excel to the top in both at the same time, or ever. But I think all horses can benefit from having more than 1 skill set - so I think it depends on your goals. If you’re looking for your next 1D rodeo winner, she may not be it, or with more time she may be. If you’re enjoying her and looking to have a good time and sharpen your training skills, then she may be a great fit. |
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Member
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Location: Texas | It will not let me upload the video after I compressed it, says its too big?
Not sure how to fix that? |
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Married to a Louie Lover
Posts: 3303
| barrels12 - 2018-04-16 9:08 AM
It will not let me upload the video after I compressed it, says its too big?
Not sure how to fix that?
Upload to YouTube and share link. |
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Member
Posts: 12
Location: Texas | Please tell me if the link does not work.
This was the third time entering after about 4 months.
https://youtu.be/6KfMhASj2lA |
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Member
Posts: 12
Location: Texas | OhMax - 2018-04-12 5:02 PM
Have you breezed her some and really taught her how to run?
Time and confidence can help a lot of things. How long total have you been hauling her?
We have a couple rope horses who have made the transition to barrels and some barrel horses that have made the transition to rope horses. Doesn’t mean they will fully excel to the top in both at the same time, or ever. But I think all horses can benefit from having more than 1 skill set - so I think it depends on your goals. If you’re looking for your next 1D rodeo winner, she may not be it, or with more time she may be. If you’re enjoying her and looking to have a good time and sharpen your training skills, then she may be a great fit.
I have thought about breezing her but have not done it yet. I have mainly been focusing on how to get her to keep her momentum through out her turns because to me that is where I believe we lose some time.
I am not necessarily looking to get pro caliber out of her by any means but I feel like she has the potential to keep up at a barrel race with at least 3-4D but I could be wrong. |
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 A Somebody to Everybody
Posts: 41354
Location: Under The Big Sky Of Texas | Shes very short strided, I dont think you're going to get much more speed outa her, take her and breeze her some get her to streach out more, but then that could just be the way she's built and will stay short strided..
Edit to add: I watched the video again and she looks sore maybe thats why shes not reaching or streaching out..
Edited by Southtxponygirl 2018-04-16 10:13 AM
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Member
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Location: Texas | Southtxponygirl - 2018-04-16 10:05 AM
Shes very short strided, I dont think you're going to get much more speed outa her, take her and breeze her some get her to streach out more, but then that could just be the way she's built will and stay short strided..
Yes she is very short strided! I just figured because shes little it was just her but I have seen horses her size go out there and lay down a smoking run so just not sure what to do with her at this point. |
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Member
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Location: Texas | Here is another video maybe you can see this one better..
https://youtu.be/wpvH3v64XIg
Maybe its just my eyes but it looks like her strides are much larger here.. Yes it two completely different disciplines but a stride is a stride right? Maybe she outsmarted me and is being lazy lol...
https://youtu.be/UCGzzTZXWfg - (heading)
Edited by barrels12 2018-04-16 10:29 AM
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A Somebody to Everybody
Posts: 41354
Location: Under The Big Sky Of Texas |
She just looks a little tight too me, shes being very careful going around the barrels and she does look good maybe give her some more time since shes only been doing this for a while and maybe she'll get a longer stride going once she feels more confidence.. Theres others on here that can help you, so give them time to get on here and watch her.  |
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 Extreme Veteran
Posts: 575
| Just my opinion, but she looks like she's kind of dumping on her front end in the turns. First things first check for soreness. If she's sound, I would do lots of slow work teaching her to bring her hip up under her and drive from behind. Maybe also work on your hand placement before the turns and keep contact with that outside rein to keep control of her hip. Just my two cents. |
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 The Worst Seller Ever
Posts: 4138
Location: Oklahoma | Take the tie-down off (if you are still using it). Teach her to elevate when running barrels. She is "bracing for the pull" which is the best way I can describe it. My little horse spent his life as a calf horse before I got my hands on him. I had to teach him to elevate the front end at first. To do that I took the tie down off and taught him to make the moves (turning, going around the barrel, rating) correctly without it. He was 10/11 when I got my hands on him.
Also when you look for soreness check the shoulders.
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 I hate cooking and cleaning
Posts: 3314
Location: Jersey Girl | Looks to me like she is sore. I am guessing hocks based on how she is "hopping" around the barrel.
Edited by fulltiltfilly 2018-04-16 11:50 AM
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Member
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Location: Texas | clover girl - 2018-04-16 11:38 AM
Take the tie-down off (if you are still using it). Teach her to elevate when running barrels. She is "bracing for the pull" which is the best way I can describe it. My little horse spent his life as a calf horse before I got my hands on him. I had to teach him to elevate the front end at first. To do that I took the tie down off and taught him to make the moves (turning, going around the barrel, rating) correctly without it. He was 10/11 when I got my hands on him.
Also when you look for soreness check the shoulders.
We only use a tie down on her when team roping off her but I will have to work on keeping her shoulder up and not bracing against my reins in the turns. She is 12 now also... |
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 Off the Wall Wacky
Posts: 2981
Location: Louisiana | OK so my 5yo prospect is also husband's heading prospect LOL...we're in a custody war currently.
Anyway, hubby and I ride differently, and it's taken time for him to adjust to each of us, and figure out what I'm asking him to do.
Like someone else mentioned, I had to teach him to elevate his shoulders more, he's naturally very low, and he does wear a tie down when roping (like your mare) and that gives them something to brace on. With no tiedown, they kinda get dumpy in the front (think-leaning/looking for that brace). Lots and lots and lots of slow work just driving his hip under him. It's simply two very different events that they use their body differently for. Can they do both good? Yes. Can they excel at both? I'm not sure but I guess I'll find out bc neither of us wants to give him up LOL.
I do know this...when I have a barrel race, I'm the only one that rides him for that week prior, same when hubby wants to take him to roping practice - he rides him all week and I stay off to try and not confuse him from day to day.
She looks like she has a great start, but I don't see her reaching up under herself with that inside hind (picture Martha)...lots of walking perfect circles helps with that IMO. I think there's a lot you could do OFF the pattern that will translate to your run...and definitely go breeze her a couple times! |
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 Expert
Posts: 1857
| Have you checked your saddle fit? The way she runs for your husband and the way she runs with you, are completely different. Maybe your saddle pinches her shoulders and she evading it. Try putting his saddle on her and work her and see if she lifts her front end up any. |
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Location: Texas | dashnlotti - 2018-04-16 12:08 PM
OK so my 5yo prospect is also husband's heading prospect LOL...we're in a custody war currently.
Anyway, hubby and I ride differently, and it's taken time for him to adjust to each of us, and figure out what I'm asking him to do.
Like someone else mentioned, I had to teach him to elevate his shoulders more, he's naturally very low, and he does wear a tie down when roping (like your mare) and that gives them something to brace on. With no tiedown, they kinda get dumpy in the front (think-leaning/looking for that brace). Lots and lots and lots of slow work just driving his hip under him. It's simply two very different events that they use their body differently for. Can they do both good? Yes. Can they excel at both? I'm not sure but I guess I'll find out bc neither of us wants to give him up LOL.
I do know this...when I have a barrel race, I'm the only one that rides him for that week prior, same when hubby wants to take him to roping practice - he rides him all week and I stay off to try and not confuse him from day to day.
She looks like she has a great start, but I don't see her reaching up under herself with that inside hind (picture Martha)...lots of walking perfect circles helps with that IMO. I think there's a lot you could do OFF the pattern that will translate to your run...and definitely go breeze her a couple times!
YES! We are in the same boat! He loves her and I do too so we have to plan things accordingly like divorced parents on who gets to take her when! Lol.
But thank you for the feedback! Ill have to start doing some circles and try to keep that shoulder up. I can actually feel her brace against me sometimes so I put her in a softer bit since she is already very touchy so we shall see how that works out too!
Once I can keep her in shape with this crazy Texas weather I am definitely going to breeze her hopefully that will her also!
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Location: Texas | FlyingJT - 2018-04-16 12:41 PM
Have you checked your saddle fit? The way she runs for your husband and the way she runs with you, are completely different. Maybe your saddle pinches her shoulders and she evading it. Try putting his saddle on her and work her and see if she lifts her front end up any.
I actually did get a new saddle right after I started her on barrels but they looked like they fit her the exact same. But yes I will try switching back or using his just to test the waters! |
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 The One
Posts: 7998
Location: South Georgia | Ok, I think I am the odd man out on this one. With watching the videos, it seems like she enjoys the heeling more and puts more of her heart into it. The barrel videos look to me like she's just doing the course to satisfy you. Hard for me to explain. I too am not sure she has much room for speed improvement based on her size and movement. Just my opinion, for whatever that is worth. If you enjoy it, go for it, by all means, but to me she just doesn't seem like her heart is in barrels. |
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Off the Wall Wacky
Posts: 2981
Location: Louisiana | barrels12 - 2018-04-16 1:44 PM
dashnlotti - 2018-04-16 12:08 PM
OK so my 5yo prospect is also husband's heading prospect LOL...we're in a custody war currently.
Anyway, hubby and I ride differently, and it's taken time for him to adjust to each of us, and figure out what I'm asking him to do.
Like someone else mentioned, I had to teach him to elevate his shoulders more, he's naturally very low, and he does wear a tie down when roping (like your mare) and that gives them something to brace on. With no tiedown, they kinda get dumpy in the front (think-leaning/looking for that brace). Lots and lots and lots of slow work just driving his hip under him. It's simply two very different events that they use their body differently for. Can they do both good? Yes. Can they excel at both? I'm not sure but I guess I'll find out bc neither of us wants to give him up LOL.
I do know this...when I have a barrel race, I'm the only one that rides him for that week prior, same when hubby wants to take him to roping practice - he rides him all week and I stay off to try and not confuse him from day to day.
She looks like she has a great start, but I don't see her reaching up under herself with that inside hind (picture Martha)...lots of walking perfect circles helps with that IMO. I think there's a lot you could do OFF the pattern that will translate to your run...and definitely go breeze her a couple times!
YES! We are in the same boat! He loves her and I do too so we have to plan things accordingly like divorced parents on who gets to take her when! Lol.
But thank you for the feedback! Ill have to start doing some circles and try to keep that shoulder up. I can actually feel her brace against me sometimes so I put her in a softer bit since she is already very touchy so we shall see how that works out too!
Once I can keep her in shape with this crazy Texas weather I am definitely going to breeze her hopefully that will her also!
Squares are amazing as well for shoulder/hip control.
I ride mine in a draw bit with split reins and get his nose tucked and really drive drive drive his butt.
It takes time but he is getting there. Sometimes he remembers it's a speed event, and sometimes he just stops running mid run LOL...but I'm not pushing him at all at this point.
He's been 3-4D his first 3 shows, this past weekend was our state show and I figured why not enter, Talmadge won it on Bully By Design and we ran 2.5 seconds off...not bad at all in my opinion lol.
Thank goodness he isn't finished on the head side or I'd get him a LOT less HAHA, right now he just goes to the practice pen and small playday type rodeos. |
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Posts: 1631
Location: Somewhere around here | barrels12 - 2018-04-16 12:46 PM
FlyingJT - 2018-04-16 12:41 PM
Have you checked your saddle fit? The way she runs for your husband and the way she runs with you, are completely different. Maybe your saddle pinches her shoulders and she evading it. Try putting his saddle on her and work her and see if she lifts her front end up any.
I actually did get a new saddle right after I started her on barrels but they looked like they fit her the exact same. But yes I will try switching back or using his just to test the waters!
That's what I was thinking. Let us know how that goes! |
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 Veteran
Posts: 194
Location: Texas | I think she just needs to get her confidence up.
and swim her, it will help with her stretching and running |
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"Heck's Coming With Me"
Posts: 10797
Location: Kansas | horsegirl - 2018-04-16 1:46 PM Ok, I think I am the odd man out on this one. With watching the videos, it seems like she enjoys the heeling more and puts more of her heart into it. The barrel videos look to me like she's just doing the course to satisfy you. Hard for me to explain. I too am not sure she has much room for speed improvement based on her size and movement. Just my opinion, for whatever that is worth. If you enjoy it, go for it, by all means, but to me she just doesn't seem like her heart is in barrels.
Ditto..........this is not her cup of tea.
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A Somebody to Everybody
Posts: 41354
Location: Under The Big Sky Of Texas | Frodo - 2018-04-17 3:33 PM horsegirl - 2018-04-16 1:46 PM Ok, I think I am the odd man out on this one. With watching the videos, it seems like she enjoys the heeling more and puts more of her heart into it. The barrel videos look to me like she's just doing the course to satisfy you. Hard for me to explain. I too am not sure she has much room for speed improvement based on her size and movement. Just my opinion, for whatever that is worth. If you enjoy it, go for it, by all means, but to me she just doesn't seem like her heart is in barrels. Ditto..........this is not her cup of tea.
My thoughts too she like's running a steer, she can really poor it on coming out of the box. |
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 Ms Bling Bling Sleeze Kitty
Posts: 20917
Location: LouLouVille, OK | How long has she been a heel horse and you have had her going 4 months now on barrels correct?
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A Somebody to Everybody
Posts: 41354
Location: Under The Big Sky Of Texas | barrels12 - 2018-04-12 3:17 PM So I fell in love with my fiance's little mare that he team ropes off of... I started riding her when he was roping on his other good mare and took her through barrels just for fun while I was searching for the "right" barrel horse. She was so snappy and could bend out of this world. Obviously she had never seen barrels before but she felt so good, so I started taking her to a few races. This all happened within 4 months, and after her 4th race she placed 1st in the 4D. Me being proud of her I kept hauling her but she will not run as hard as when my fiance` team ropes off of her.... I CANNOT for the life of me get her to run anything under an 18.... My fiance' can turn steers on her/or have them heeled down in 7 sec. or under so why will she not run hard for me? She is about 14.1 or 14.2, pretty small mare but I know she can run... Maybe she just hates barrels or maybe its just too early for her to get it down (6 months into running barrels at this point and time). HELP
You know 6 months is not very long she may just need to get seasoned more befor she learn's she can run harder, but to me I think she really likes the steers and just will be better at steers. |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 912
Location: Alabama | I think she lost a full second in her turns on that first video. Looks like she is trying for you. I would snug those turns up and just keep running her. At 14.1hh and short backed she does not need much room to turn. I think she looks choppy because she is having to run so far around the barrels. She will get more confident and quicker with some seasoning. I would not nit pick on her or spank her every stride. Looks like she wants to work to me and I don't see unsoundness either. |
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Member
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Location: Texas | cindyt - 2018-04-19 10:31 AM
How long has she been a heel horse and you have had her going 4 months now on barrels correct?
She was broke as an 8 year old broodmare so ever since then shes been a rope horse. I started running barrels on her around July or August so 7 months now i guess? I've only entered her 6 or so times. I haven't entered her since December just because I feel like she needs more work at home or just exhibitions. |
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Member
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Location: Texas | Sockittoemred - 2018-04-19 12:12 PM
I think she lost a full second in her turns on that first video. Looks like she is trying for you. I would snug those turns up and just keep running her. At 14.1hh and short backed she does not need much room to turn. I think she looks choppy because she is having to run so far around the barrels. She will get more confident and quicker with some seasoning. I would not nit pick on her or spank her every stride. Looks like she wants to work to me and I don't see unsoundness either.
YES! To me we lose ALOT of time in the turns and I am not sure how to fix that! I usually let her work and try not to yank her around in the turn because she is very touchy already. I really do believe she tries hard just needs some confidence. |
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From Heeling to Barrels... Is it worth continuing?