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Elite Veteran
Posts: 897
  
| My new horse and I are working great together. I have owned him for about 6 weeks now, and all is well! I really enjoy him! I have been taking lessons 2x a week with him for about a month now, and we are constantly improving. We will be riding in a clinic this fall/early winter, so that will be a great learning experience.
As many of you know, my other gelding who is retired now, I didn't ever get to enter him in a barrel race, and only took about 6 lessons with him, so we were slow loping the pattern, then I had months off from lessons until just recently. I am very new to barrel racing, but I love it and am having a great time. My background all my life has been dressage, so sitting pretty and quiet all the time. I have been to two jackpots so far with my new guy, and I just can't seem to hustle. I'm beyond nervous and I can't even feel my legs, so I don't kick at all, and he needs me to use my legs more! In lessons, I am able to use my legs more and kick, and I am very comfortable with my trainer. At the jackpots there are 70+ entries, and I don't care what anyone thinks of me, so I don't know why I'm beyond nervous. My veins are popping out, and I seem so be overly worried about having exceptional position and I just sit there. He's not a finished horse, but is really trying for me, and we are learning a lot.
I'm not saying that I want to have improper form, but I can't seem to just relax before a run. Our time last week was a 20.262.. 
His previous owner was running consistent 17.1's and 16.8's..but she hustles and I don't know how to at a race with tons of people there! I'm getting really down on myself, as I love doing this, but I'm trying to make everyone proud, my husband, my trainer, myself..I do good when we work the pattern at lessons, then when it comes time to the jackpot, I'm super conservative.. | |
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I just read the headlines
Posts: 4483
| Lighten up on yourself, I know easier said than done. It is going to take hauling to get used to the different needs of barrel racing. Do you think you could teach him to hustle by another cue? Smooching to him or some kind of voice cue? My sister and I had our horses to where when we got up out of the saddle that was their cue to run, sit down for rate and the turn. But really, quit worrying about making people proud. It sounds like you are doing good, just try to relax and enjoy the learning process.
Edited by GLP 2018-08-18 5:00 PM
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 897
| GLP - 2018-08-18 4:58 PM
Lighten up on yourself, I know easier said than done. It is going to take hauling to get used to the different needs of barrel racing. Do you think you could teach him to hustle by another cue? Smooching to him or some kind of voice cue? My sister and I had our horses to where when we got up out of the saddle that was their cue to run, sit down for rate and the turn. But really, quit worrying about making people proud. It sounds like you are doing good, just try to relax and enjoy the learning process.
My trainer has me smooch to him around the first barrel, but I completely forget to during a run outside of a lesson. I have a million things running through my mind at a race, outside leg here, inside hand up, etc, etc that I forget to smooch. | |
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 Peecans
| I have always found (so long as your riding correctly and doing the right homework at home) it just slowly comes together at races.
As you get confident in competition and more used to it you get faster and faster. Your horse sounds awesome and I bet in no time at all you will be back her with seconds knocked off your time.
I like to walk while I wait and invision my perfect run and as I come into the ally take a deep breath and let it out then go. That's what helps me settle so I can focus and make a good run. | |
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Go Get Em!
Posts: 13502
Location: OH. IO | It wouldn't be any good for us to lecture you,it will just come with time. | |
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 A Somebody to Everybody
Posts: 41354
Location: Under The Big Sky Of Texas | jake16 - 2018-08-18 6:50 PM It wouldn't be any good for us to lecture you,it will just come with time.
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Veteran
Posts: 134
| emricmacy - 2018-08-18 4:49 PM
My new horse and I are working great together. I have owned him for about 6 weeks now, and all is well! I really enjoy him! I have been taking lessons 2x a week with him for about a month now, and we are constantly improving. We will be riding in a clinic this fall/early winter, so that will be a great learning experience.
As many of you know, my other gelding who is retired now, I didn't ever get to enter him in a barrel race, and only took about 6 lessons with him, so we were slow loping the pattern, then I had months off from lessons until just recently. I am very new to barrel racing, but I love it and am having a great time. My background all my life has been dressage, so sitting pretty and quiet all the time. I have been to two jackpots so far with my new guy, and I just can't seem to hustle. I'm beyond nervous and I can't even feel my legs, so I don't kick at all, and he needs me to use my legs more! In lessons, I am able to use my legs more and kick, and I am very comfortable with my trainer. At the jackpots there are 70+ entries, and I don't care what anyone thinks of me, so I don't know why I'm beyond nervous. My veins are popping out, and I seem so be overly worried about having exceptional position and I just sit there. He's not a finished horse, but is really trying for me, and we are learning a lot.
I'm not saying that I want to have improper form, but I can't seem to just relax before a run. Our time last week was a 20.262..
His previous owner was running consistent 17.1's and 16.8's..but she hustles and I don't know how to at a race with tons of people there! I'm getting really down on myself, as I love doing this, but I'm trying to make everyone proud, my husband, my trainer, myself..I do good when we work the pattern at lessons, then when it comes time to the jackpot, I'm super conservative..
It sounds like you are doing great. It sounds like we have the same concerns lol. I got my barrel horse in December, spent a lot of time legging him up, and ran my first race in February (~21 seconds). I am just now comfortable enough to try and push him and not have my legs like limp noodles lol. We are down to 18.1 seconds or so. So, just give it some time. I don't ever worry about other people's times as I am there to improve myself, but as for the making people proud thing, I am on that boat as well. If I hit a barrel or don't do as well as expected, I get super down on myself since my husband is taking time out of his schedule to go, my trainer helps me, etc. But they all tell me as long as I don't stop and sell everything tomorrow they will still be proud.
Just some things that have helped me that I thought of while reading your post. 1. Make sure you are not holding your breath before you run. I started noticing that I was and that was making me not think during the run and make my legs go numb. I make a mental note to check my breathing a drag or so before mine. 2. Go to races consistently. I really like doing series as it gets me out weekly and it has an end goal to work on. The more races I have gone to the more my nerves have drastically gone down and I have a much better mental game. 3. Tell yourself you are excited not nervous. Your body responds the same way (increased heart rate, sweaty palms, etc) whether you are nervous or excited. So, I always say I am excited to run and never say I am nervous and it puts a more positive feel to the pre-run jitters. | |
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 Born not Made
Posts: 2930
Location: North Dakota | emricmacy - 2018-08-18 4:49 PM My new horse and I are working great together. I have owned him for about 6 weeks now, and all is well! I really enjoy him! I have been taking lessons 2x a week with him for about a month now, and we are constantly improving. We will be riding in a clinic this fall/early winter, so that will be a great learning experience. As many of you know, my other gelding who is retired now, I didn't ever get to enter him in a barrel race, and only took about 6 lessons with him, so we were slow loping the pattern, then I had months off from lessons until just recently. I am very new to barrel racing, but I love it and am having a great time. My background all my life has been dressage, so sitting pretty and quiet all the time. I have been to two jackpots so far with my new guy, and I just can't seem to hustle. I'm beyond nervous and I can't even feel my legs, so I don't kick at all, and he needs me to use my legs more! In lessons, I am able to use my legs more and kick, and I am very comfortable with my trainer. At the jackpots there are 70+ entries, and I don't care what anyone thinks of me, so I don't know why I'm beyond nervous. My veins are popping out, and I seem so be overly worried about having exceptional position and I just sit there. He's not a finished horse, but is really trying for me, and we are learning a lot. I'm not saying that I want to have improper form, but I can't seem to just relax before a run. Our time last week was a 20.262.. His previous owner was running consistent 17.1's and 16.8's..but she hustles and I don't know how to at a race with tons of people there! I'm getting really down on myself, as I love doing this, but I'm trying to make everyone proud, my husband, my trainer, myself..I do good when we work the pattern at lessons, then when it comes time to the jackpot, I'm super conservative..
And I've been barrel racing for a very, very long time and I still forget to do things during my run sometimes.
Don't be so hard on yourself. It will come. Whenever you learn something knew, you are "thinking" so much because nothing is muscle memory yet. Before ach run, take a quiet moment to mentally visualize your "perfect run". Think about what you are doing with your hands and legs, and how you go around each barrel. Then go in there and do it.
Just remember above all to HAVE FUN. That's why you are doing it, right?
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 Expert
Posts: 2097
Location: Deep South | jake16 - 2018-08-18 6:50 PM
It wouldn't be any good for us to lecture you,it will just come with time.
This this this.
The more you enter, the more comfortable you'll get. | |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 407
| LOL LOL LOL LOL
I so FEEL YOU MY FRIEND!!! I was a hard core dressage rider for 30 YEARS!!! I started this barrel racing craziness 5 years ago and I haven't looked back!!! WELCOME TO THE GREATEST ADDICTION OUT THERE!
Like many have said, first of all, be very kind to yourself, you are doing great! You will not believe how much the dressage background is going to help you!!! Don't worry so much about going fast just yet, it will come!!! , it takes forever to retrain our brain to "let go" and not find that constant contact with the horse's mouth like we do in dressage. When we ride Dressage we control every moment, in barrels it is almost like "uncontrollable control" if that makes sense, basically imagine all the dressage movements happening in seconds!!! It will all come together. At first everything happens so fast but with time things will slow down enough where you can go faster!
Based on my own experience, your dressage background will help you tremendously (It has helped me A LOT). Both of my barrel horses do dressage work almost daily not matter if we are in the arena or in the fields. I think it does help them with barrels a lot so take advantage of that knowledge!
Best of luck and enjoy this craziness! Best thing EVER! | |
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Veteran
Posts: 225
Location: Montgomery TX | Well at least you're not crying and throwing up in the warm up pen - cuz that was me... so, see - it could be worse! LOL
It does get better with time. There will come a time when you quit thinking so much and your body starts reacting to all the lessons you are working on with your trainer. Relax, have fun and as your confidence grows, I think you will naturally hustle more without having to consciously think about doing it.
Good Luck and have fun!! | |
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  Sock eating dog owner
Posts: 4553
Location: Where the pavement ends and the West begins Utah | I feel you. you can receive all the advice in the world and always second guess yourself.The best thing you can do is have someone video you. Dont worry about what your horse is doing ,but criticize on what you are not doing and where. If your not going to kick at least teach yourself to hiss, smooch or cluck. you can also get a wither strap that says ... kick dammit. Congrats on your new steed  | |
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 The One
Posts: 7997
Location: South Georgia | JUST give it Time. It’ll come. I don’t hustle until I completely trust. I’m not a rider that can run on any horse. | |
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 Expert
Posts: 1367
Location: mi | If your not looking for the nearest place to  . Then you are way ahead of my first few years running. and it wasn't just a feeling it was happening.
Its all going to take some time to relax. In the mean time try not to beat yourself up. Just go for improving on your last run dont worry about what his old owner did on him. Maybe try some Lavendar oil or a beer before your run. What ever will just relax your brain a bit. :) also trying not to think of the million things you have to do. Pick just one thing. My horse tends to shut down at the barrels with the first being the worst for me. I go in the pen thinking kick at the barrel. or one more step or what ever is going to get me to get past that first barrel. Not all of the things that need to happen just pick your one weakest manuaver and work on that. But honestly you are so at the beginning and we were ALL there at the beginning. Just enter up and it will get better. | |
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Married to a Louie Lover
Posts: 3303
| It’ll come! I like to break things down into small goals. Sometimes jumping straight to hustling with your feet is too much. So focus on smooching - and make it smaller yet, I’m going to smooch at him around the first barrel. That’s the goal, that’s it, all there is. You might be surprised when after a couple runs you’re smooching at all 3 barrels. Then build on it with another small goal...and another...and another. Be ok if it takes several runs per goal.
But most of all HAVE FUN!!! | |
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The One
Posts: 7997
Location: South Georgia | And show them all those pictures! They are great! I know everyone will just be so happy you have a horse to enjoy now. | |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 897
| Here are a few pictures from our jackpot last week! And a video.. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZaO_5eb6_tQ
Edited by emricmacy 2018-08-22 8:08 AM
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The One
Posts: 7997
Location: South Georgia | Alright, let me just say, I would be completely thrilled with that run--I don't care a bit about what the time was! Be happy with and during the steps. It'll come. You haven't barrel raced before. You have a new horse. Give it TIME! Congrats! | |
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Location: South Dakota |
Gorgeous photos! Focus on being smooth and pretty on the pattern, and it will come! Your horse will build confidence, the same as you....smooth is fast! | |
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 Witty Enough
Posts: 2954
Location: CTX | First off, don't be to hard on yourself!! It takes a lot of time to transition from Englise/ dressage to barrels. And yes, I also speak from experience.... It took me forever!!! I rode English for over 25 years, and after being yelled at for that long... "sit up strait" "keep your elbows in" "chest out" "toes up, heels down" "don't look down" " don't slouch"! lol, especially the slouching bit! Which is basically how i have to get my boy to rate...
And like others already mentioned, the more you enter the better it gets, it is trul muscle memory. And you will only get that by just doing it.
And remmeber to enjoy it! Have fun! You and your boy look great! | |
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Expert
Posts: 1367
Location: mi | That was a very nice run! You should be thrilled with that and you did hustle home. That is step one. I think we all start hustling from the end back. I know thats kind of also how you get the young horses started. So now you are hustling out of 3. In a few more runs you will get more comfy and start hustling into 3. and so on and so on. I think you are doing great. Enjoy the learning process... | |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 897
| Thank you all!! We run again tomorrow night, only two jackpots left of the season at the barn I board at. He's a lot of fun, and I'm definitely enjoying the learning process!!  | |
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Born not Made
Posts: 2930
Location: North Dakota | Who cares about your time? The run was very smooth and very correct, albeit slow. I'd much rather see that, than someone flopping and yanking through a terrible pattern, trying to go faster than they have any business going.
The speed will come with time. You hustled fine on the way home. When you are ready, add the hustle between barrels. Might be easiest to add hustle end to beginning. So for example, hustle from the 2nd to 3rd, and 3rd to home. Get used to that. Then add hustle from 1st to 2nd. And lastly, add hustle coming into 1st. Just stick to your comfort level. You're doing fine for 6 weeks.
Very pretty horse.
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