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Veteran
Posts: 238
 
| Update on our "progress." As with any training, it seems like 2 steps forward and 1 back. We've been hauling every weekend, and since the last update, we've had 3 runs. I'd like your thoughts, as I've been a bit baffled, beyond the "she's just learning, we've got curves in the road."
This was at the PacWest barrel race. She really acted like she knew what she was there to do. I was happy with how she was looking for the barrels. If you watch though, the last stride of the first barrel she gets wonky. Then she kind of bunny hopped across the arena. It doesn't look nearly as bad as it felt, but shoot, I thought her hind legs were above her head. The ground WAS slick. I would say one out of every 5 horses slipped for the first 100 or so horses. It tightened up after that. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=88Yqm5hiP6c&list=PLzgEbjEab26i7mLKWS...
The next was a local NBHA. She did not seem to realize there was a barrel in the arena, is what it felt like. What turns we did have, came from her "somewhat" responding to my asking for a turn. I keep watching to see if I missed something somewhere that I wasn't doing, but I can't tell. Definitely would value some opinions on this. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8P9fEfaCTuc&list=PLzgEbjEab26i7mLKWS...
The last was this last Saturday at a local speed show. I love these shows for training. Even with the 2nd barrel boo boo, I'm much happier with how she watched for the barrels and turned them on a light rein. The 2nd barrel I gave her too much pocket and when she went to turn we about took it out on the back. She picked up when I asked her too though. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s4EG2qIsum4&list=PLzgEbjEab26i7mLKWS...
Edited by SpottedT 2014-04-21 12:37 PM
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Veteran
Posts: 238
| Oh, and I for sure see that we are still struggling with collection. I have been doing all kinds of collection exercises and drills with her, but she's still not getting her hind end under her like she should, both running and turning. Thoughts? |
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Queen Bean of Ponyland
Posts: 24954
  
Location: WYOMING | I focused on one thing which was the second barrel. You can see in the pxs below how consistent your entry is into #2. IMO one thing that is happening here to make you feel she is not collecting is that you are setting up her entrance improperly. In all 3 videos she makes a larger pocket and she pops her hip to the outside when she prepares to turn (at her rate point). This makes a couple of things happen. First it rocks her to her front end in her body position when you want her to be up and on her hiney. Her shoulder is leading the turn. Second because you feel that shoulder drop you lean to the outside at this point and since you have already dropped your outside rein (you tend to drop too soon) you have no way to correct this "shoulder problem" which is really a entire body position problem. You pull that inside rein up and over the neck in an effort to miss that barrel which basically, instead of pushing her off, pulls her into the well on the backside of that barrel. There goes all your momentum and she feels choppy trying to get around the rest of the turn.
I posted this on another post not long ago for someone who was having hip position issues..
If this is happening you need to teach your horse to move its hindquarters off your leg. Needs to move easily both directions. Then you need to go across the pen and make sure his body is either straight or his hip is cocked to the inside. You should be able to easily move that hip with your leg sliding back some. With a horse that already has a problem sometimes its better to cock them a smidge to the inside instead of just asking for straight. With their hip to the inside their shoulder is better pushed up and past the early entry point, their hip is better engaged and their body can't drop and follow a malpositioned shoulder.
I would ride her two handed up into the turn, cock the hip in and not let her begin to turn until your knee is at the barrel. She already has the habit of the incorrect entry so some adjustments will be needed on her AND on your approach.
Edited by geronabean 2014-04-21 1:36 PM
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Veteran
Posts: 238
| PERFECT observation! Thank you! She does easily move her hip and I've done exercises of stopping, then pushing her hip over, but hadn't even thought to push it over while approaching. And it's so common sense. Will definitely be working on that this week! Thank you! |
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 Hero of the Year
Posts: 10767
Location: Haslet, Texas | I see a pretty nice mare that is taking exceptional care of you, which is great for where you are right now. I think she is just waiting on you for some speed and snap. I think you could leave the first barrel on her with one hand, then use the horn to steady yourself a little more. When you get to the 2nd barrel pocket, give her a little cue, just a little bump and then drive her on through the turn. She she's loping slow and pokey she just kind of flops around the barrel but when she goes in shaped really nice, like her 3rd, she can snap and turn really nice. You just need more confidence is all.  |
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 Expert
Posts: 2457
| My little observation ~ check your position in relation to the barrel. For example, when are you asking her to turn? Early, late, and/or before your leg passes the barrel?
This video has helped me A TON! Good luck - we're all works in progress and you'll get better and better !!
Barrel position with Dena Kirkpatrick
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P0_-AcSQDgk
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Veteran
Posts: 238
| Thanks guys, appreciate all of the tips! Great video, now to put it all in play. |
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Expert
Posts: 2457
| SpottedT - 2014-04-21 3:53 PM
Thanks guys, appreciate all of the tips! Great video, now to put it all in play.
You WILL get it! It takes time and patience ... I was just looking back through the previous videos and all I gotta say is WOOHOO!! You're just improving right along!! :) Keep it up!  |
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Veteran
Posts: 238
| Update:
I have ridden her twice this week, and thanks to the helpful tips I was able to pretty quickly see that something is wrong. Her not using her hind end isn't like her, either her breeding or her training. Due to our reining and cowhorse work over the years, she should easily be able to move her hip over at any speed. Well, the first day was a light session, and she struggled with it. I wasn't quite sure though if it was because we hadn't worked on the maneuver in so long or if she was incapable. The second she made it clear to me that she couldn't do it. So, no more work until after our visit to the vet/chiro next week.
Thanks guys for helping point out something that should have been obvious. :) Especially you Geronobean!
Edited by SpottedT 2014-04-25 7:24 AM
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 Undercover Amish Mafia Member
Posts: 9992
Location: Kansas | sorrel horse ranch - 2014-03-21 6:58 PM You have done a wonderful job with this mare. I really do like her. You are riding sitting flat of your butt is what I see along with what everyone else has said. When she got high leaving the second barrel you butt hit the back of the cantle and this will cause one to climb when they leave a barrel. You just need to roll your pelvis forward and really pull hard on the saddle horn when you leave your barrels. Over all you are doing a really good job.
agree!! Nice mare! |
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Queen Bean of Ponyland
Posts: 24954
Location: WYOMING | SpottedT - 2014-04-25 8:23 AM Update: I have ridden her twice this week, and thanks to the helpful tips I was able to pretty quickly see that something is wrong. Her not using her hind end isn't like her, either her breeding or her training. Due to our reining and cowhorse work over the years, she should easily be able to move her hip over at any speed. Well, the first day was a light session, and she struggled with it. I wasn't quite sure though if it was because we hadn't worked on the maneuver in so long or if she was incapable. The second she made it clear to me that she couldn't do it. So, no more work until after our visit to the vet/chiro next week. Thanks guys for helping point out something that should have been obvious. :) Especially you Geronobean!
Anytime!!!! |
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Veteran
Posts: 238
| So, update, since the last update we've been to the vet/chiro who found where her back was out that was affecting her using her hind end. She also pointed out that her teeth had some points to get rid of, so had to get an apt with the dentist. Also, been on a horrific saddle hunt which has included trying endless numbers of saddles to find something to fit her shoulders. There was a month between hauling and the first video back was running in a side pull before I got her teeth done and running in a Bob Marshall trail saddle that I put on 20 min prior to running. That is this video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ULr-MasuMX4&index=22&list=PLzgEbjEab...
And then 2 days after I did get her teeth done, I warmed up in snaffle, but she didn't feel as if she realized yet that she had the flexibility of poll and wasn't as light as I wanted, so I put her back in the side pull for the run. I was riding in a Kelly Kaminski. I've since ruled that saddle out.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cfBcz15HLvM&list=PLzgEbjEab26i7mLKWS...
I can't imagine how we ended up on the wrong lead going to the first, but she swapped coming into the barrel. Also, I must have sat too soon, looked too soon at the 2nd.
We are going this weekend and I'm running her in a Circle Y Extreme Performance that I'm trying. So far she seems good in it and sweat marks are even.
Advice? |
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The Advice Guru
Posts: 6419
| I just watched the first video, nice barrels, she kept her leads well.
I would suggest don't lean back when you sit. Sit deep with your but, stay centered.
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