Question on older horse

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Question on older horse Moderators: luluwhit, gotothewhip, cindyt, crossspur, ForumAdmin Jump to page :	Last activity 2014-03-13 8:49 PM 4 replies, 2670 views View previous thread :: View next thread
General Discussion -> Barrel Talk


superstars Reg. Mar 2012	Posted 2014-03-13 2:49 PM Subject: Question on older horse
Veteran Posts: 143	OK. I am not wanting this to sound like a vent or "hopefully" not a debate. I am just want to be nosey. I love my new older and very season barrel horse..he is a gem and I love him. I have him up to date on everything and he is in top shape. HE is so happy in a chain combo bit (hates anything else lol) but he is one power horse and very VERY very push style. HE turns hard and low and can really stretch, But he is harder to keep barrels up, especillay 2nd. I am learning to push him through and give him a bigger pocket then what my mare had. So my question is...he was always ran in a tie down and a port bit and I can tell he had one on him for a while that was too tight becasue he kind of freeze up when its on ( feel like it) and he had some of the muscles that they get when its to tight...and was causing other issues. So I tired a very very very loose one and he does ok...but he trys to be front endy and he doesnt feel like he wants to stretch. Yes I have breeze him with it to get him to run...he gets high 19's with it. Now I have ran it off on him 2 and the 1st time he felt great...just harder to keep the barrel up (he cheats) and 2nd time I did it...it scared me becasue we were flying...he just overturned and took out a barrel; cut and bruised my leg and took out my stirrup lol But, on the sheet if I didn;t hit the barrel I would of had 18.5 (ya I know shoulda colulda woulda lol) I was wanting opnions on this....I am saying to have it off and build more confidence and hang on for dear life then have him not happy ya know. HE is a hot horse and carries his head high when he is feeling his oats but he always breaks at the poll and gives to the bit.
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cheryl makofka Reg. Jan 2011	Posted 2014-03-13 3:12 PM Subject: RE: Question on older horse
The Advice Guru Posts: 6419	In never worry where their head is, I just worry where their nose is. If his nose is pointed at the ground, then he can still see where he is going. I would suggest have faith in the horse, as old ones know their job and it sounds like he wants to turn, check him down then give him his head back and see what he does. I would also keep my inside leg on him to keep his ribcage round this will also lessen his chance of hitting. If you are hitting the barrel with your leg, then you need to shorten the pocket, and drive him by the barrel farther. I always pick an object about 4 feet up from the barrel and ride two handed until my leg is by the barrel, then drop down to one hand. I also use voice commands to encourage my horses to keep momentum around the barrels. For myself, I don't own a tie down, head setter, or war bonnet. I do use a German martingale sometimes if their nose is getting higher. I haven't needed to use these tools. Also think positive, picture/visualize a perfect run, do not think about how you are going to keep the barrel up, just imagine knocking will not occur
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lexyy12 Reg. Apr 2010	Posted 2014-03-13 3:19 PM Subject: RE: Question on older horse
Expert Posts: 2276 Location: ohio-in my own little world with pretty ponies :)	My old guy was this way with the 2nd also. The more pocket I gave him the harder he came in so I made my pocket smaller and would push him all the way until my leg was at the barrel and then let him turn. I hit many many barrels with my poor leg before we got it figured out but he was hard to beat after we got it together!
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superstars Reg. Mar 2012	Posted 2014-03-13 7:40 PM Subject: RE: Question on older horse
Veteran Posts: 143	I agree with you about my legs. I am still learning him...only had him for about 4 months and had handful of runs. I have the same feeling about tie downs etc. Thank you both for your help...I thought I was having the feeling to trust him and let it off..
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ThreeCorners Reg. Nov 2003	Posted 2014-03-13 8:49 PM Subject: RE: Question on older horse
Tried and True Posts: 21185 Location: Where I am happiest	The lighter you go the free-er he should get = less hit barrels. Leave it off.
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