|
|
Veteran
Posts: 171
 
| What are some reasons for switching from the right to the left barrel first?
Been running to the right for 2 years
Will it mess them up?
I cannot seem to leave the second barrel up running right.
I know it me....
|
|
| |
|
  More bootie than waist!
Posts: 18425
  
Location: Riding Crackhead. | We usually stick to the right barrel first but in 2 of our horses they have better right barrels than left so I'd rather them do 2 barrels to the right. |
|
| |
|
 Elite Veteran
Posts: 1062
Location: Probably On the Road to the Next Barrel Race! | no it wont mess them up, IMHO. I've done it twice, and it worked for me. Not only did the horse get a fresh game start, but MENTALLY. so did I, which may have made for it being a good thing :) |
|
| |
|
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 591
| If they have a better right turn than left turn then, then yes it might help. But if they have a bad right turn then asking them to turn twice that way will probably not help much. |
|
| |
|
Veteran
Posts: 171
| It has been months since we have made a clean run. Prior to that we were clocking & placing in the 1D consistently.
When he comes into the arena he sometimes drifts to the left.
So in my frustration one day at home, I decided what the heck, lets see what happens going left, what do I have to loose.
He worked decent, and I was able to get him past the second barrel. The turns are not beautiful going left but we are leaving them up.
I believe this will be fresh start for him and myself.
I really think I am cueing him too early with my feet, and not even realizing I am doing it.
I have been working with a trainer, who has been awesome, I am looking at my spots, staying two hands longer, but in the video you can see me hook him and wrap my legs and as soon as I do that he commits to the turn.
|
|
| |
|
Expert
Posts: 1815
| I changed my horse for the exact same reason........tried going to the right again, but it will not work for me. Just go for it....I have a tendency to lean on my left barrels, but dont' do it when it's my first barrel. Good luck! |
|
| |
|
 Expert
Posts: 1631
Location: Somewhere around here | canchaserdelux - 2014-01-28 7:27 PM
What are some reasons for switching from the right to the left barrel first?
Been running to the right for 2 years
Will it mess them up?
I cannot seem to leave the second barrel up running right.
I know it me....
Personally I try to pay close attention to the horse I'm riding when they haven't been started on barrels. I try to figure out if they turn smoother/better to the left or the right at a walk, trot, and lope. Whichever side they are more stiff with I generally will ride them to that turn first so my two next turns are better, usually lol.
How long have you been having the problem of knocking down the second barrel? It might just need some exercises to keep his/her shoulder up and their hips in. |
|
| |
|
Veteran
Posts: 171
| We have been hitting the second for about 5 months.
We were doing good, then he was out with a lameness(thin soles on front) issue for 2 months and when he came back we just have not gotten it together.
I know that after about 3 times, it becomes a habit. |
|
| |
|
Elite Veteran
Posts: 915
Location: SE KS | I changed mine from right to left because he wasn't getting his correct lead coming out of the first barrel, he wouldn't switch. So went the other way, seems to get it every time now!!! The rest of the problems are more me than him!!! But we pick up a check more times than not, so I'm good with it!!!
|
|
| |
|
 Shelter Dog Lover
Posts: 10277
| CYA Ranch - 2014-01-28 8:09 PM We usually stick to the right barrel first but in 2 of our horses they have better right barrels than left so I'd rather them do 2 barrels to the right.
this ^ |
|
| |
|
 Expert
Posts: 1898
| Rather than switching directions I would try some drills instead. Is he hitting the barrel coming in, on the back side or coming out?
You can try switching but honestly, depending on how old he is and how much patterning he has, it will only be a matter of time before he gets comfortable in his skin running left and starts plowing your first. I would focus more time on fixing the barrel hitting issue rather than masking it by switching directions. Right now he's confused, once the confusion wears off he will most likely go back to his same old tricks.
Generally I only switch a horse to the left if it is physically better at making right hand turns.
|
|
| |
Folks on-line