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 Expert
Posts: 1631
   
Location: Somewhere around here | When I rode today I noticed that when I feel my horse is going too fast to the first barrel, I will keep both of my hands on the reins instead of going to the saddle horn. Whenever I do hold onto the horn though and really push down, 85% of the time my horse will turn the barrel with no problem. When I don't push down on the horn, he tends to blow off the turn completely. I AM SO GLAD I HAVE REALIZED THIS TODAY!! I am just so sorry for my horse that it took me so long to realize it haha. Anyway, how can I gain some confidence in me and my horse around the first turn? So far, my only solution is yelling at myself "HORN!" when I get to the barrel hahaha! |
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 Not Afraid to Work
Posts: 4717
| I had a horse that really gave me first barrel phobia. Now I have a horse where the first is his best barrel. However, I still have anxiety. So talking to him into his rate point has helped ease my anxiety. I also dont run the gate (I have but not often). My horse can but I just cant.... I hope to eventually feel that comfort. |
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 Regular
Posts: 95
| I find talking to myself while I'm riding helps me. Sometimes I'll sing too (I'm sure my horse knows the words to just about every country song out there haha). I may look like an idiot, but I don't care because it makes me feel more comfortable and that translates down to my horse too. |
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 Expert
Posts: 2457
| It is perfectly fine to talk yourself through a pattern :) Don't feel weird about it ... if it causes your mind to relax, your body will follow and it all will translate to your horse!
Also - ride girl, go ride! It takes time, patience, and practice with your horse to go forward into a pattern with confidence. You can do it! |
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  Keeper of the King Snake
Posts: 7616
Location: Dubach, LA | Close your eyes?! JK. I've always heard that if you weren't scared going to the first, you weren't going fast enough. |
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 Miss Laundry Misshap
Posts: 5271
| It's VERY hard learning to trust your horse going to first barrel! At least for me. I pretty much screwed up my first barrel because of the way I was approaching it and how I was riding. I watched and learned from a clinician, and when he got on my horse, came flying into first and turned the dang thing beautifully, I knew it was me.
So after learning how to do it right, that meant I actually had to do it! YIKES!! It just takes time and lots of mental preparation...Talking to myself! Outloud and in my head. Just remind yourself what it is you need to do over and over and it'll come. But the first few times, I felt like I was going to go flying. Luckily, my self talks must have worked because he turned and I stayed on! :) Now it's not nearly such a big deal.
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Married to a Louie Lover
Posts: 3303
| I'm having trouble remembering to look for my next barrel - I too had this epiphany last night. I typically say "heeeeey" coming into the barrel...I pla. To change it to "loooook". I doubt my horse will care what I say, I talk more because it helps me breathe out and sit down.
So go for it, chatter away! |
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 Dr. Ruth
Posts: 9891
Location: Blissfully happy Giants fan!!! | Time. That is what has done it for me.
Also, read "With Winning in Mind" by Lanny Basshom. It is about mental management. HIGHLY CRITICAL to being competitive. |
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Expert
Posts: 1631
Location: Somewhere around here | An update from today; we were amazing!! At first to did it slowly, just loping to the barrel and really concentrting on when to put my hand down and to make sure it stayed down. He turned it perfectly! Then we went at regular speed and I literally had to remind myself "HORN" to put my hand down but to my surprise he turned it great!! Every time we tried it he turned the barrel. He started coming off the backside slightly when we went fast but HEY that's an improvement to me from just blowing by the first barrel!
I'm going to keep on working on trusting him going to the first barrel though and hopefully both him and I become better!! |
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Expert
Posts: 1414
| cecollins0811 - 2014-05-21 5:48 PM When I rode today I noticed that when I feel my horse is going too fast to the first barrel, I will keep both of my hands on the reins instead of going to the saddle horn. Whenever I do hold onto the horn though and really push down, 85% of the time my horse will turn the barrel with no problem. When I don't push down on the horn, he tends to blow off the turn completely. I AM SO GLAD I HAVE REALIZED THIS TODAY!! I am just so sorry for my horse that it took me so long to realize it haha. Anyway, how can I gain some confidence in me and my horse around the first turn? So far, my only solution is yelling at myself "HORN!" when I get to the barrel hahaha!
I have the opposite problem, I cling to the horn for dear life. You couldn't get my hand off the horn with a pry bar.  |
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Expert
Posts: 2457
| cecollins0811 - 2014-05-22 5:05 PM
An update from today; we were amazing!! At first to did it slowly, just loping to the barrel and really concentrting on when to put my hand down and to make sure it stayed down. He turned it perfectly! Then we went at regular speed and I literally had to remind myself "HORN" to put my hand down but to my surprise he turned it great!! Every time we tried it he turned the barrel. He started coming off the backside slightly when we went fast but HEY that's an improvement to me from just blowing by the first barrel!
I'm going to keep on working on trusting him going to the first barrel though and hopefully both him and I become better!!
FAB!! keep it up!!   |
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 Texas Lone Star
Posts: 5318
Location: where ever my L/Q trl is parked | I had the same problem....
I have always talked to my horse (s). As I approached the first I tell her to "watch it, watch it". This give her a heads up that we're about to do something. Then I check her lightly for the rate and sit for the turn.
I also use to worry about not starting on the correct lead and that would totally blow my concentration for the turn. I know they should and it's easier on them, but Ed Wright told me not to worry- just go on and the horse would fix it. So that was one obsession I didn't have to think about. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 915
Location: SE KS | CanCan - 2014-05-22 11:08 AM
Close your eyes?! JK. I've always heard that if you weren't scared going to the first, you weren't going fast enough.
Ok, I'm obviously not going fast enough!!!!!! Which my husband has also informed me of, too!!!
But, I already know I am the problem, not the horse, he is doing great & if he had a more agressive barrel racing rider he'd be awesome!!!!
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