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Location: midwest mama | I have a very nice true 1D mare that is an exceptional barrel horse.
Unfortunately I have been recently diagnosed with a medical condition in which my doctor doesn't want me to compete at barrel racing for 6 months or so.......however I can still ride.
I have a few friends who ride Cowboy Dressage and they have been encouraging me to try it on my mare during the time I can't barrel race.
Has anyone tried it? What do you think? Is it something I should try? |
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I just read the headlines
Posts: 4483
| I did regular dressage on my 1D gelding years ago in college. It made a big difference in him. All for the good. He became calmer, required much less bit to run in, and our first barrel was no longer our problem barrel. I highly recommend dressage. |
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 Quarter Horse HIstorian
Posts: 2878
Location: Aubrey, Texas | No, but I've always wanted to! Please keep us posted (with pictures, of course) on how it goes- |
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Expert
Posts: 1531
Location: Oklahoma | It cannot hurt but you may find it extremely boring as mostly like real dressage it is very basic , 3 gaits , shoulder control , impulsion-things every barrel horse should already do .
So because I grew up on reiners and rode English as well I do " dressage " type things which I consider basic foundation on horses.
Extreme trail obstacles could be more fun, not politically judged and you can go slow. |
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Married to a Louie Lover
Posts: 3303
| I think anytime you have the opportunity to step outside your normal "box" you should take the opportunity.
Western dressage can be great for general riding and softening a horse, plus a difference mindset in the arena as already mentioned - sometimes boring is good for our hot heads!
I'm not sure if your doctor doesn't want you running barrels that he'd want you doing something like team sorting or penning either, but I firmly believe that working cattle keeps our barrel horses sharp.
Cowboy trail or extreme trail riding as well would be good.
Even just going typical "rail" classes or equitation/pattern classes at a local saddle club show |
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 Regular
Posts: 73
Location: Central Texas | I enjoy ranch riding classes and stock horse stuff with mine. My mare ran barrels yesterday, has a stock horse clinic friday, then will run again sunday. She LOVES it. Especially the cow work. It is so good for their morale. |
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 No Name Nancy
Posts: 2715
Location: never in the right place | I would definately do it. Great conditioning for your horse and doing something different helps their attitude and you get to keep riding |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 975
Location: The barn...where else? SW Missouri | I say go for it. Anything you can do different with your horse just makes them better and it's fun. I have done obstacle challenges, ranch horse stuff and just trail riding and camping with my mare. It's great to meet new people and try new things. I got burned out on barrels and it helped me to find my way back. Loving it again. But, I also love my mare and her try. She has made it fun again.  |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 670
Location: Running my kids somewhere. | I ride normal dressage on my barrel horses. It has help a great deal.
After I retired one from barrels; I have continued to compete in dressage. It keeps them thinking and active. |
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 Not Afraid to Work
Posts: 4717
| I take dressage lessons on my barrel horse whenever I can. It is the best thing for my riding and my horse out of anything I believe. I have wanted to do Ranch Pleasure on my gelding through AQHA for a long time, still on the bucket list. |
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Location: OK | I would love to have a few lessons. Does anyone know of a place Eastern OK or Western AR?
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 My Heart Be Happy
Posts: 9159
Location: Arkansas | Bump |
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