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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 716
 
Location: who knows? | Help guys, before I completely give up. I have a very talented horse. He loves to run barrels, always willing to go into the arena to work. Here's the problem. He gets on the muscle, not dangerous but wants to flat out run through the pattern. You can do all the slow work you want, I never go through the pattern without stopping him several times at each barrel. When you enter him up, he doesn't want to rate what so ever and will go past every barrel. Have had him to the vet, chiro'd and massaged. Tried chlorpromazine, helped the first time, but not after. Any suggestions would be great!!! Before I give up on him. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 618
| nvrenuf - 2017-07-31 3:58 PM
 Help guys, before I completely give up.  I have a very talented horse.  He loves to run barrels, always willing to go into the arena to work.  Here's the problem.  He gets on the muscle, not dangerous but wants to flat out run through the pattern.  You can do all the slow work you want, I never go through the pattern without stopping him several times at each barrel.  When you enter him up, he doesn't want to rate what so ever and will go past every barrel.  Have had him to the vet, chiro'd and massaged.  Tried chlorpromazine, helped the first time, but not after.  Any suggestions would be great!!!  Before I give up on him.
I'd look at myself first and see what I'm doing that might contribute to it. So many "little things" ie hands, seat, breathing, tension etc can be felt by horse. I'd also make sure they're not hurting, so vet check especially if they're running through the drugs |
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 Veteran
Posts: 110
| I am dealing with the same horse. No matter how much slow work, repetition, or rating work I do he still just wants to run flat out everywhere and never stop to turn a barrel. He will do everything flawless during flat-work, perfect collection, works off his hind end, light in the mouth, but when we run he wants to just blow by. I have restarted him on the pattern twice, thinking maybe he was to hot & needed to be retaught and he came back the same horse.
I have been working with this horse for six years and we are just now getting back to running. He is working in 3d now with room to improve, but I still don't trust him enough to fully give him is head.
The things that worked for my horse are not fighting him or asking for him to slow or rate a lot. He does a lot more flinging his head and fighting with you than he does actual slowing down.
I also have to be very consistent with my cues. He needs a consistent rate point and does not respond to multiple cues, you have to check him once and sit.
Another thing I recommend is if you do anything besides run the pattern after you come through the gate, like circling or bending, that you drop it. I used to dry to get his attention before running and it just irritated him and made him less responsive.
Have you looked at your headgear? Mine will run through any mouthpiece that isn't broken. We run in this http://kotrading.com/gtdbit31-classicequinedelightbit-brokensnaffle...
Also, when you come through the gate, make sure you are only touching your horses face as much as you need to be and that your body and posture are relaxed.
Stay patient. The horse I referenced is the most difficult and time consuming one I've ever trained, but he is also by far my favorite. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 589
| My open gelding sounds just like your horse except I used to not even try to do slow work because he would come unglued!! I took to vet and got the soudnness issues taken care of (hocks & SI injections) then I put him on THE Muscle Mass with the Ulcer, Joint, GluChon, Focus blends and let's just say a COMPLETELY different animal!! If I know it's going to be a stressful situation, I will give him a calming cookie. My 5 yr old filly is on same Muscle Mass blend and she will slow work like a champ but is all business when I ask her to run. THE is worth a try!! Awesome people to work with and products that you can see work!! |
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 Born not Made
Posts: 2937
Location: North Dakota | Would you be willing to post a video?
If he does slow work fine and has no pain issues, then most likely it might just be something you can change with your riding.
Also, how much has he actually been RUN at a race? Does he just need to be hauled more to get the hang of it?
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 966
Location: Loco,Ok | Â I I get them here regular. All they want is relief out of the trap. The horse today is more sensitive than ever. They have endurance but better not hurt one. They are ultra lite. They step up and do their job. Your not ready. Speed disrupts everything. Because a horse is an animal of flight. When you scare hurt surprise them they run. You pull. Get in a pushing pulling war you can't win. Add more. You brace up and the horse braces up. |
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Married to a Louie Lover
Posts: 3303
| I have a friend whose mare was a bit...special we'll say. You had to be very particular with her. MagRestore and Focus have made her a totally different horse. She still wants to go work when you point her at the alley, but she actually works, she's not off to the races.
I agree a video would be helpful, subtle riding changes could make a big difference - my guess is this horse needs a light quiet ride |
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 Member
Posts: 11
| I totally understand your situation. Have a horse that sounds exactly like this. He will go out and win a barrelrace because he is so fast or it'll be a wild ride. lol
Some things that have worked for him.
-Not a long warm up. Trot him around a bit and make sure he is loose and then let him relax. I will take him in the arena before hand and just walk him around too.
-1 THE calming cookie 2 hours before a run
-If you can do a warm up, do it. I always made the excuse that he is going to be a rodeo horse and there is no warm ups there. However, it is really good for their mind to realize that every time they go into an arena, they don't have to go 90. All I do is trot him to the barrel, stop back up, bring his hip up under him and then trot around the barrel. Make sure you know the rules on time limits tho ;)
-My biggest problem with him is wanting to get out of my hands running to the first barrel. When he was being really naughty, I will hold him up to the first barrel, just do a high lope so he stays in my hands. If he can do that, he will usually still clock in the 1d. A thing to remember is there usually isn't much space between the timer line and the 1st barrel.
-RELAX!!! Deep breaths, he can feel the moment my heart rates starts speeding up before a run
Good luck! Its tough when these horses have all the talent in the world there just within grasp. I was once told the some of the best horses you will ride will make you want to go in a corner and cry or smack in them in the head with a 2X4. LOL I would never beat one but I have had many moments of going in a corner and crying because I didn't know what to do. They make you work for it!
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 716
Location: who knows? | Been to the vet, no soundness issues. I know I get nervous and try to control that as well. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 534
Location: Ohio girl moved to PA | Have you tried a daily supplement? or a pre-run race? My gelding used to be the same way and i now give him forerunner paste 2 hours before we run and he focuses like a dream. He still gets excited, and will prance, but hes listening. It doesnt make them a dead head. He also had ulcers as well at the time. Were now in our second year of seasoning and he no longer does it or needs the paste. I only use it a bigggg super shows when theres a lot going on. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 716
Location: who knows? | camillamarie - 2017-08-01 5:25 PM I am dealing with the same horse. No matter how much slow work, repetition, or rating work I do he still just wants to run flat out everywhere and never stop to turn a barrel. He will do everything flawless during flat-work, perfect collection, works off his hind end, light in the mouth, but when we run he wants to just blow by. I have restarted him on the pattern twice, thinking maybe he was to hot & needed to be retaught and he came back the same horse. I have been working with this horse for six years and we are just now getting back to running. He is working in 3d now with room to improve, but I still don't trust him enough to fully give him is head. The things that worked for my horse are not fighting him or asking for him to slow or rate a lot. He does a lot more flinging his head and fighting with you than he does actual slowing down. I also have to be very consistent with my cues. He needs a consistent rate point and does not respond to multiple cues, you have to check him once and sit. Another thing I recommend is if you do anything besides run the pattern after you come through the gate, like circling or bending, that you drop it. I used to dry to get his attention before running and it just irritated him and made him less responsive. Have you looked at your headgear? Mine will run through any mouthpiece that isn't broken. We run in this http://kotrading.com/gtdbit31-classicequinedelightbit-brokensnaffle... Also, when you come through the gate, make sure you are only touching your horses face as much as you need to be and that your body and posture are relaxed. Stay patient. The horse I referenced is the most difficult and time consuming one I've ever trained, but he is also by far my favorite.
The gal I bought him from really handled his face going to first and he buries his but in the ground....I cannot get him to do that to save me.... |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 716
Location: who knows? | A friend suggested the muscle mass yesterday with the calmer in it. Tried the cookies and cannot get him to eat them at all. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 716
Location: who knows? | Ohiobarrelracer - 2017-08-02 12:02 PM Have you tried a daily supplement? or a pre-run race? My gelding used to be the same way and i now give him forerunner paste 2 hours before we run and he focuses like a dream. He still gets excited, and will prance, but hes listening. It doesnt make them a dead head. He also had ulcers as well at the time. Were now in our second year of seasoning and he no longer does it or needs the paste. I only use it a bigggg super shows when theres a lot going on.
I have tried the focus and the be calm....nothing works... |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 716
Location: who knows? | r_beau - 2017-08-02 8:38 AM Would you be willing to post a video?
If he does slow work fine and has no pain issues, then most likely it might just be something you can change with your riding.
Also, how much has he actually been RUN at a race? Does he just need to be hauled more to get the hang of it?
Not sure how to post a video, I will try to pm you.. |
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Veteran
Posts: 110
| nvrenuf - 2017-08-01 12:03 PM
camillamarie - 2017-08-01 5:25 PM I am dealing with the same horse. No matter how much slow work, repetition, or rating work I do he still just wants to run flat out everywhere and never stop to turn a barrel. He will do everything flawless during flat-work, perfect collection, works off his hind end, light in the mouth, but when we run he wants to just blow by. I have restarted him on the pattern twice, thinking maybe he was to hot & needed to be retaught and he came back the same horse. I have been working with this horse for six years and we are just now getting back to running. He is working in 3d now with room to improve, but I still don't trust him enough to fully give him is head. The things that worked for my horse are not fighting him or asking for him to slow or rate a lot. He does a lot more flinging his head and fighting with you than he does actual slowing down. I also have to be very consistent with my cues. He needs a consistent rate point and does not respond to multiple cues, you have to check him once and sit. Another thing I recommend is if you do anything besides run the pattern after you come through the gate, like circling or bending, that you drop it. I used to dry to get his attention before running and it just irritated him and made him less responsive. Have you looked at your headgear? Mine will run through any mouthpiece that isn't broken. We run in this http://kotrading.com/gtdbit31-classicequinedelightbit-brokensnaffle... Also, when you come through the gate, make sure you are only touching your horses face as much as you need to be and that your body and posture are relaxed. Stay patient. The horse I referenced is the most difficult and time consuming one I've ever trained, but he is also by far my favorite.
What sort of cues do you make? I'm asking because I am a very quiet rider and when I feel like I am ripping on his mouth I'm actually barely bumping. It took a lot of encouragement to get me to grab his nose and make him turn. I learned that when you ride these kind of horses you can't be a passenger and you can't be scared. My horse would run to Canada if I let him, and the best thing I've done with him is ride him aggressively and confidently. |
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Born not Made
Posts: 2937
Location: North Dakota | nvrenuf - 2017-08-01 1:12 PM r_beau - 2017-08-02 8:38 AM Would you be willing to post a video?
If he does slow work fine and has no pain issues, then most likely it might just be something you can change with your riding.
Also, how much has he actually been RUN at a race? Does he just need to be hauled more to get the hang of it?
Not sure how to post a video, I will try to pm you..
I got a PM but it was blank. If you are trying to attach it directly from your computer, it won't work that way. You'll need to first upload it to a site such as YouTube and then post the link. |
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Expert
Posts: 4766
Location: Bandera, TX | I believe if your giving psychotropic meds and the horse is still running wild or refusing to work you have: not found the pain issue, you have a bleeder on your hands, poss. EPM horse or your horse needs treatment for colonic ulcers.
What is the horses blood work looking like. Have you checked for chronic inflammation? |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 716
Location: who knows? | I am a pretty heavy handed rider...which when I purchased him I thought would be a good thing because the previous owner was pretty handsy with him |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 716
Location: who knows? | r_beau - 2017-08-02 12:27 PM nvrenuf - 2017-08-01 1:12 PM r_beau - 2017-08-02 8:38 AM Would you be willing to post a video?
If he does slow work fine and has no pain issues, then most likely it might just be something you can change with your riding.
Also, how much has he actually been RUN at a race? Does he just need to be hauled more to get the hang of it?
Not sure how to post a video, I will try to pm you..
I have run him for two years. So he has had plenty of races. Its mostly just first barrel, he goes in sooo strong, goes approximately 2 strides past, then will sit down and turn. I have tried checking and releasing about 3 strides out and that helps....I believe some of it is my nerves and maybe just not understanding a free runner completely....however like in the alley he is way on the muscles and just wants to run. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 716
Location: who knows? | uno-dos-tres! - 2017-08-02 12:59 PM I believe if your giving psychotropic meds and the horse is still running wild or refusing to work you have: not found the pain issue, you have a bleeder on your hands, poss. EPM horse or your horse needs treatment for colonic ulcers.
What is the horses blood work looking like. Have you checked for chronic inflammation?
I don't believe its a pain issue or a bleeder, I have had a bleeder before I knew he was a bleeder and he would refuse the gate and not really want to go in. This guy wants to go in, he just goes in too hard and gets mad when you hold him up... |
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