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 Born not Made
Posts: 2937
   
Location: North Dakota | It was a cold WINDY day at the barrel race today, and Red was like a box of firecrackers.  My 3-year-old (fresh back from the trainers) was calmer than him! Go figure.
We had a GREAT first run. It's the best he's done in competition thus far! The winning time was a 14.8 something. And we got a 16.6 Very, very happy with him. He's (we've) come a long way.
He really is slow indoors (at this point). He will run so much faster outdoors when we practice at home, so I know he's got tons of speed left to give. We've been working on finishing our turns (actually gave him a smack with my quirt on the backside of the second barrel during the 1st run) and he's understanding what I want. His footwork is also better, now that I am getting him to use his body more effectively. He's still kinda all over the place with his leads sometimes, but it IS better. And his head shaking has improved tremendously with a bit change, and me using my hands better in the turn (lifting up). Everything was great for the first run.
Then I screwed up our second run.  He started with a beautiful 1st barrel. Then I didn't set him up right for the second barrel and thus, we shouldered it. 100% my fault. I need to learn to anticipate that (because it happened at the last barrel race) and not let it happen.
On a side note, I am amazed at how he so quickly changes from the right to left lead, immediately once we finish that first barrel. I guess he's figured it out! I'm so overly worried about his footwork, because we did inject his stifle in March due to his catching right hind stifle. But now I wonder how much of it is the stifle, and how much of it is just his legs going all over the place? Probably impossible to tell but I keep in very close contact with my vet. I certainly think he **feels** better than last year. He feels like he's using his butt more.
I can't wait until the barrel races start being held outside. Because he RUNS outside. 
Here's the video:
Barrel runs
Edited by r_beau 2014-05-11 6:55 PM
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 Veteran
Posts: 193
Location: USA | First of all let me say, Thank you! A lot of people won't admit that it was their fault for setting a horse up wrong, dropping his shoulder, hitting the barrel etc; and so thank you for admitting that because the horse will only do what the rider tells them or taught them whether it be good or bad. And I know you must be SO proud of your horse doing SO well, the run looked GREAT from what I saw! And if I was you I don't think I could be even prouder than you with a 3yr old doing that well already in barrels.   |
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The Advice Guru
Posts: 6419
 
| Has the horse been vet checked lately?
The second run he starts out cross firing, then on the back side of the first he is cross firing again.
As you said you didn't set him up for the second barrel. He had no rate going into it dropped his shoulder and crashed the barrel. On my young horses I will do a 2 handed bump and give a bump with my inside leg my leg is signalling him to shape their ribcage, before I go down to one hand. When I drop to one hand I am asking for nose.
On your first run when you were using your quirt, you are giving mixed signals at that second as you are sitting back on your pockets when you should be getting out of the saddle encouraging your horse to move forward.
I would suggest getting a dressage quirt, as they are longer so you can just flick your wrist and make contact with the hindquarters. |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 669
Location: Central Texas | I think it was a nice run on a young horse where the rider and the horse are working on getting it together and grow. |
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 Damn Yankee
Posts: 12390
Location: Somewhere between raising hell and Amazing Grace | I don't think there's much to critique :) It's hard to when the video is from a distance, but it looks like to me that confidence will come the more you get on him :) He looks like he takes good care of you! |
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 Angel in a Sorrel Coat
Posts: 16030
Location: In a happy place | Nice run and a really nice horse. I thought you did great. |
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 Total Germophobe
Posts: 6443
Location: Montana | I didn't think it looked too bad ...but I am no judge as my horse just got back from the barrel trainer's in April and I know we'll have a lot to work on with getting everything together. However, a kudos for wearing a helmet.   |
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Born not Made
Posts: 2937
Location: North Dakota | Rodeorider97: Trust me. I was kicking myself for letting that happen on the 2nd barrel. I realized after the fact that I was looking right at the darned thing too. He's only doing what my body is cueing him to do. 
My 3-year-old? Oh, I'm not running barrels on him yet. He's only got about 45 days on him. I just brought him along to ride him around with all the sights and sounds. He did great. So quiet! Someday he'll be running barrels; just not yet.
Cheryl: The last time I physically had him at the vet was the middle of March. We injected his right stifle. I have been keeping in very close contact with her and I always send her my videos for her to analyze on how he is doing. Honestly, he is doing SO much better. If he hadn't been improving, I'd be looking for something else. It's kind of one of those "I know my horse" type of deals. He feels so much better, and he just keeps on feeling better and better as he gets more experienced. But I am keeping my vet very involved. If she thinks we need to do something, I will not hesitate.
On my first run, I see that I dropped my hand in the turn instead of keeping it elevated. As a result, his shoulder drifted. And he crossfired. On the second run, I sent him into the pocket too wide (hard to tell from the video angle), allowed him to turn too soon, and didn't set him up for success. I lost his shoulder again, and he crossfired again. It seems to me that if I can do my job and keep his body correct in the turn, then he doesn't crossfire.
I did notice that he did start off giong to the first barrel (on my 2nd video) with the wrong lead in back. In all honesty, I should have had him gathered better before I let him take off. Maybe that would have helped him.
I see your point on the quirt and sitting down. I will keep that in mind. Thank you.
ampratt: Thank you. (although he is 8 this year  .... didn't get him until he was 6) He is SO different than any other horse I have ran on barrels, so he has been a good challenge for me. We are learning.
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Fire Ant Peddler
Posts: 2881
| If you kick the horse may run better. You are just sitting up there.
Both runs you went into the second barrel too wide, you got flat on the backside and paid for it on the second run. Get up in there straight and get past the barrel.
The horse is crossfiring. I do not know if it is from soreness or he just does not know how to hold his leads.
That horse is REALLY fat. Get him in better shape so that he feels like running. It is sort of like me--I am a little overweight and it just kills me to run.
Overall not a bad run. Just fix the small things. |
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Born not Made
Posts: 2937
Location: North Dakota | Honeymoney - 2014-05-11 11:30 PM If you kick the horse may run better. You are just sitting up there. Both runs you went into the second barrel too wide, you got flat on the backside and paid for it on the second run. Get up in there straight and get past the barrel. The horse is crossfiring. I do not know if it is from soreness or he just does not know how to hold his leads. That horse is REALLY fat. Get him in better shape so that he feels like running. It is sort of like me--I am a little overweight and it just kills me to run. Overall not a bad run. Just fix the small things.
Yes, you are 100% right about my second barrel. I'm not setting him up right for it. I need to work on that. As far as speed and kicking him, I'm really not too concerned about that right now. The speed will come. I just want him to stay correct (when I actually help him on the second barrel  ). I'm not in a hurry to win. And he does have much more "gas" outdoors. Just hasn't figured it out inside yet.
I appreciate your comments, except for the FAT comment. He is not fat. Since the end of February, I have ridden him almost every single day. And we usually ride around 4 miles or more. He's not a Thoroughbred and he's never going to look like one or have a sucked up belly like one. He's got a large ribcage, or whatever you want to call it. It's just his anatomy.
This picture was 2 or 3 weeks ago, with a little bit of fuzzy winter hair yet (if the weather around here would ever stop acting like winter). Looking even better as he slicks off for the summer. He is not fat. Thank you.
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 Veteran
Posts: 173
Location: Somewhere over the rainbow | I don't think this video shows enough to know if the horse is fat or not. I suspect this is a bigger boned horse given what can be seen. He is built nice from what can be seen.
Does appear that he may be a little sore somewhere with all of the cross firing going on. I am not sure that dropping your hands would cause that.
I would show your vet this video.
Good job, I think you look like you are working good together, he takes good care of you and you of him...good partnering! |
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 Veteran
Posts: 232
Location: Wisconsin | looked great to me! Would recommend getting a different whip as the one you're using is rather clumsy :) Those young ones always have trouble keeping their leads in line. I wouldnt worry about the funky leads. He looks in great shape as well!
Keep your forward momentum, really drive him into those turns and get him passed those barrels (especially in the indoor).
Keep up the fantastic work, you're doing everything right! |
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 Tough Patooty
Posts: 2615
Location: Sperry, OK | cheryl makofka - 2014-05-11 9:14 PM Has the horse been vet checked lately? The second run he starts out cross firing, then on the back side of the first he is cross firing again. As you said you didn't set him up for the second barrel. He had no rate going into it dropped his shoulder and crashed the barrel. On my young horses I will do a 2 handed bump and give a bump with my inside leg my leg is signalling him to shape their ribcage, before I go down to one hand. When I drop to one hand I am asking for nose. On your first run when you were using your quirt, you are giving mixed signals at that second as you are sitting back on your pockets when you should be getting out of the saddle encouraging your horse to move forward. I would suggest getting a dressage quirt, as they are longer so you can just flick your wrist and make contact with the hindquarters.
He looks a little short to me in the right hind when she does her circle to start the second run... |
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Born not Made
Posts: 2937
Location: North Dakota | BabyJ - 2014-05-12 9:58 AM I don't think this video shows enough to know if the horse is fat or not. I suspect this is a bigger boned horse given what can be seen. He is built nice from what can be seen. Does appear that he may be a little sore somewhere with all of the cross firing going on. I am not sure that dropping your hands would cause that. I would show your vet this video. Good job, I think you look like you are working good together, he takes good care of you and you of him...good partnering!
Thank you, and I already had emailed it to my vet and she gave me her feedback. We are going to "stay the course" for now because we both agree he is looking MUCH better than where he started. I feel comfortable doing so if she gives me the okay to keep going.
Thank you everyone for the feedback on my riding. I know what I need to do .... and now I just need to DO IT!
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