 Extreme Veteran
Posts: 442
    
| We just can't seem to get our first barrel down. I want to send her running to first but everytime I try she tries dropping her shoulder and feels like she is going to turn in front of it. In order to get by it I have to stay in her face instead of just letting her run. I was wondering if anyone might have some drills or advice to help us. We are running at the Xtreme Million in Salina, UT next week and I need to be able to send her a little harder. I have tried doing a circle and then sending her but last night she still tried to duck and drop her shoulder. We probably lost a full second if not more. I have had her vetted, chiro, PEMF. She is an ex-reining horse so I am running her in a hackamore so she doesn't collect in her turns. Any help is much appreciated!! |
 Extreme Veteran
Posts: 396
      Location: Iowa | There are a ton of videos on this on trainingbarrelhorses.com! If she has been seen by the vet, some basic things that come to mind are counter arcs away from the barrel and/or sending her straighter up the pen instead of angle at the barrel. |
 Not Afraid to Work
Posts: 4717
    
| My mare did this early on into running the pattern. She was almost anticipating the turn, trying too hard type of thing. I ran her straight to the 3rd from the start and angled her over vs many run at an angle to 1st from the beginning. It squared and free'd her up a lot. Now I still do it but much less dramatic. Maybe would help you but make sure you are sitting square. |