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 Expert
Posts: 1612
  
Location: Cocoa, Florida | When do you know if you're horse will have the ability to be running with the top dogs or not, how much time do you give them from age 4/5. I've had one 2 years now that seems to be on a plateau, getting all soundness exams done and some internal things to rule out any pain or anything that will prohibit get from getting better.
But how long do you usually give them? Some are late bloomers I know, I just don't know if it's worth the patience and money I'm spending anymore for another 3/4D horse. I already have a super nice and easy going 3D gelding. |
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Expert
Posts: 1561
| Remember I dont know jack...
I think you should know within the first month or two of barrel training if its goint to be a 1d caliber horse.
Now how long before you know it has what it takes to win against the big dogs? Dont know, havent been there...YET! |
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  Sock eating dog owner
Posts: 4557
Location: Where the pavement ends and the West begins Utah | Do you think your horse would be able to win a horse race at say 300 yards. If yes than said horse could be capable of placing in the 1 - D give or take rate at 3 barrels turning and burning. |
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 Expert
Posts: 2041
Location: home for the winter...what a dumb idea | When you can breeze them with out goggles and not have tears running down your face after the first 4 strides they aren't fast enough.... Had a great gelding same pattern every time very sane no stupid stuff in the alli but he just didn't have any real speed. 3d bottom of the 2 d .... |
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 Good Grief!
Posts: 6343
Location: Cap'n Joan Rotgut.....alberta | As much time as they need..every horse is going to be different......some dont come on til they are 8 ot 10........M |
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 Born not Made
Posts: 2937
Location: North Dakota | My old horse didn't start hitting the 1D until he was about 9 or 10, and I started him on barrels when he was 4. He just seemed to find a new gear, as he got older. |
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 Serious Snap Trapper
Posts: 4275
Location: In The Snow, AZ | I'd guess it depends on the horse and how long you're willing to wait... |
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 Expert
Posts: 2457
| mruggles - 2015-05-11 8:15 AM As much time as they need..every horse is going to be different......some dont come on til they are 8 ot 10........M
THIS ^^ I guess I'd also look at what my goals are for the horse. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 1094
Location: Idahome | They all mature differently. I had one that didn't come on until he was 8 or 9. Even then, he still wouldn't get out of the 2d/3d at jackpots but at was winning or placing in the top at rodeos. |
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 Husband Spoiler
Posts: 4151
Location: North Dakota | ~BINGO~ - 2015-05-11 9:52 AM I'd guess it depends on the horse and how long you're willing to wait...
Exactly. If you are wanting that 1D horse now then maybe it is time to move on but if you honestly believe in that horse and are willing to wait it out until he comes into his own then it may take a few years. I have one that I futuritied as a 5yr old and he did alright but just was awkward and the pattern was not natural for him at all and it took a lot of learning and a lot of patience from both of us. He could flat out fly and would pass other horses (that ran 1D already) like they were standing still in a race but like I said the pattern just was not easy for him. He just took a long time to mature and to get more athletic. He is now 9 and is my rockstar. I am so happy I never gave up on him. I had people telling me to move on but I just let him take his time and knew that one day it would all come together. But not everyone has that time or wants to take that time on one horse. I had others to keep me busy so I didn't over push him and get too frustrated. |
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The Resident Destroyer of Liberal Logic
Location: PNW | mruggles - 2015-05-11 6:15 AM
As much time as they need..every horse is going to be different......some dont come on til they are 8 ot 10........M
This^^^ |
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Expert
Posts: 1561
| I cant believe I disagree with people on this so much, I think part of it is people are taking the question different ways. A horse can show the athletic ability and speed as a 3yo but may not have the mental capacity to put it together until later in life, but I dont see many (any) nonathletic slugs as a 3yo turning into a horse that runs with the "big dogs" as an 8yo.
They are born with the talent IMO... |
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Expert
Posts: 1612
Location: Cocoa, Florida | Itsme - 2015-05-11 4:34 PM
I cant believe I disagree with people on this so much, I think part of it is people are taking the question different ways. A horse can show the athletic ability and speed as a 3yo but may not have the mental capacity to put it together until later in life, but I dont see many (any) nonathletic slugs as a 3yo turning into a horse that runs with the "big dogs" as an 8yo.
They are born with the talent IMO...
I have to kind of agree with this the most, I guess I wrote down the pros and cons of my 3 horses I'm currently running last night and came to a conclusion.
My big bay gelding was quick on his feet, smart, smooth and athletic before he ever even saw barrels. He was green broke when I bought him, I never sent him to be broke, I did it myself and he will spin 360s both ways (within a couple years of me riding him). He was naturally light on his feet and balanced. He IS fast but doesn't always apply his speed in the arena but I will say he makes up for it in his super smooth turns and style. He is two eyed jack, frosty feature, and rugged lark lines
The roan mare I'm running is only 14.3 on a good day but is one of the quickest and most athletic horses I've ever sat on. ( besides one jet deck colt that coliced and died). Before I ever even ran her I fell in love with her ability to move forward. She not only runs hard on her own but she sits on her hind end and turns out from under you. She is Doc Bar bred and appendix most lines I've never heard of.
Now my running bred mare, who is about 15hh and is racing on top and bottom could give two craps about any kind of work. She is a tank, hard to move forward willingly, not very light, and rough and snappy around the barrels. I've worked on her for 2 straight years now she's 5. She is the mare that wrings her tail (been checked head to toe for lameness). I just believe she really doesn't want to work, but some days she tears into the arena like a bat out of hell then it's all push from there.
I have breezed her and she feels good and fast but like I said she just doesn't seem to have the heart to be what I want her to be..... So do I keep trying? |
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 Don't Wanna Make This Awkward
Posts: 3106
Location: Texas | RnRJack - 2015-05-11 5:04 PM Itsme - 2015-05-11 4:34 PM I cant believe I disagree with people on this so much, I think part of it is people are taking the question different ways. A horse can show the athletic ability and speed as a 3yo but may not have the mental capacity to put it together until later in life, but I dont see many (any) nonathletic slugs as a 3yo turning into a horse that runs with the "big dogs" as an 8yo. They are born with the talent IMO... I have to kind of agree with this the most, I guess I wrote down the pros and cons of my 3 horses I'm currently running last night and came to a conclusion. My big bay gelding was quick on his feet, smart, smooth and athletic before he ever even saw barrels. He was green broke when I bought him, I never sent him to be broke, I did it myself and he will spin 360s both ways (within a couple years of me riding him ). He was naturally light on his feet and balanced. He IS fast but doesn't always apply his speed in the arena but I will say he makes up for it in his super smooth turns and style. He is two eyed jack, frosty feature, and rugged lark lines The roan mare I'm running is only 14.3 on a good day but is one of the quickest and most athletic horses I've ever sat on. ( besides one jet deck colt that coliced and died ). Before I ever even ran her I fell in love with her ability to move forward. She not only runs hard on her own but she sits on her hind end and turns out from under you. She is Doc Bar bred and appendix most lines I've never heard of. Now my running bred mare, who is about 15hh and is racing on top and bottom could give two craps about any kind of work. She is a tank, hard to move forward willingly, not very light, and rough and snappy around the barrels. I've worked on her for 2 straight years now she's 5. She is the mare that wrings her tail (been checked head to toe for lameness ). I just believe she really doesn't want to work, but some days she tears into the arena like a bat out of hell then it's all push from there. I have breezed her and she feels good and fast but like I said she just doesn't seem to have the heart to be what I want her to be..... So do I keep trying?
My answer would be no.
Just because a horse has the speed doesn't mean they will be a 1D horse, I think a lot of people forget that.
I think their 3/4/5/6 yo year is where you will begin to see if it's all there or not. So about 4 years from being broke to being finished. You will have 1D days and 4D days, but you know the talent is there. To be a 1D horse the horse has to have a fast reaction/take off time, the horse may be able to pick up speed being breezed, but can't pick up enough speed leaving the barrel before they have to rate again for the next one.
It's all about having speed, and being able to apply it properly on the pattern, some horses just can't do it. Have you had help from a professional? Had someone else ride her? If you've done those and had her vet checked, I would move on. |
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Expert
Posts: 1611
| I could type like four pages on this but to keep it simple: Go faster....if the horse doesn't turn correct, doesn't listen, or freaks out then they were not ready to be asked and you have slow work to do. Slow work them and try em again. |
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 Veteran
Posts: 246
Location: Idaho | I do think a lot plays into this. Much has already been mentioned. However, I remember an article written on Brittany Pozzi's horse, Leroy, as he passed away a few months ago. She said that her family bought him after the person who was selling wanted to go pro and didnt think he was fast enough to get the job done. But he took Brittany to her first NFR.... Along with talent and speed and quick turns and all those obvious things that horses need, certain riders can get more out of certain horses. I have seen horses be mediocre for many years and I wonder, why someone keeps plugging along. Then at age 10 they get it together and arw very very tough. I think its easy to get discourages because there are so many young horses out there who seem to be top horses from their first trip through. But others have to work a lot harder d longer to get there. Some will turn out and some wont. I have one that runs a very pretty pattern, but she came to us with issues and her training before we got her put a lot of whoa on her. We now struggle with her freeing up while she runs. Someone told me, She looks like shes running with the E brake on. She can run, Ive opened her up outside. But shes been runninng the pattern for a year and a half (she is 8) and has been 3rd string. She seems to lack confidence. She will open up and then panick like she isnt supposed to do that. Im giving her my full attention this year to see if we can free her up and give her confidence by making lots of runs. |
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