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 Extreme Veteran
Posts: 582
    Location: NC | Hello I am new to this board and would just like to say it seems like ya'll have a very nice board.
I have a ? about running barrels... see I've only been running barrels a little over a year.... I am fine at a fast lope but when I run my horse he is great but it seems on my 2nd barrel-right turn- my weight goes out and my horse comes off real wide- almost as if he is trying to catch my weight..what should I do in order to stay centered? I've tried the saddle/leg wraps for balance but they did'nt do a thing for me.... can I velcro my butt in the saddle?? or do they make saddle seat belts?? lol 96 |
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 Exceptional Baseball Mom
Posts: 6753
       Location: Wisconsin | First of all WELCOME to our board!! In response to your question, it seems as though we can be guilty of working on our horses more than we work on ourselves. But, before I go any further what type and size saddle are you using? does it seem to fit you well or is it too big? What is your hand position heading into and through that second barrel? Many Many things can cause the balance to be off. Give us as much info about your riding style and your horses running style (turns more on forehand, 4-wheel drive, free-running ect) as you can so we can get a better mental picture of what may be going wrong |
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 Extreme Veteran
Posts: 582
    Location: NC | Hi and Thanks!!! Well I have a Billy Cook and a circle Y but I have used the billy cook the last few times and I like it alot better as it also seems to fit my horse better. The horse is new.. I have not had him very long and he is just wonderful.. he turns quick and he knows what he is doing.... when we go to the 2nd barrel i am riding 2 handed.. drop the outside rein and then it gets choppy and i either get thrown out of balance or im just putting my weight into my outside stirrup- i guess for leverage. For us being new to each other we are doing really well but i hold him back alot more than he is use to i think but like i said we've only been around the barrels about 6 times together- practicing- it just seems like the same thing at the 2nd barrel.. also after that i have a hard time getting my rein back to head to the 3rd barrel.. yesterday i ended up at the 3rd barrel still holding my inside rein cause i never got the outside rein back fromt he 2nd barrel.....I know i need practice and I am my own worst critic but i want to help my horse the best i can and "get in" with him as well. Thanks for any advise!! :0) |
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 Exceptional Baseball Mom
Posts: 6753
       Location: Wisconsin | Sounds to me like you just need more time in the saddle to develop those good barrel racing muscles. Flopping around like a rag doll is all part of learning especially if your mount already knows the drill and you are new. I would work on circles and rollbacks and doing slow pattern work until you feel comfortable. If you can't get your rein back you've added too much speed too quick. Get the basics down and progress slowly. It is the safest way to learn. He may know his stuff but you need to have a good seat in order to be a compliment to him. Take your time, it will be well worth the wait. |
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 "Sweetheart of the Rodeo"
     Location: Montana | One thing that you need to realize is that you haven't worked this horse on barrels much. So of course, it will take time to get used to it. As for your second barrel problem, one thing that I always like to do is "drop down like a cutter". Meaning when you reach your point of rate sit down on your pockets ("melt in the saddle"). Also, pick up your inside hip just slightly and you'll realize that automatically you are tightening your whole outside leg, causing your horse to follow his pocket instead of going wide. If you feel like you are getting thrown out of the saddle, when you "drope down like a cutter", you need to push against your saddle horn, don't just hold on to it. If you push against the saddle horn, it will keep you in the saddle and more secure. I would also try lengthing your stirrups a noche and see how it goes. You may have too short of stirrups. Try it and see if that helps. Best of luck and I hope this helped give you more ideas! |
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 Extreme Veteran
Posts: 582
    Location: NC | Thanks.. my instructors tell me my seat and balance are perfect.. but im always at a faster lope than a run and it was on my other horse... it seems i only have the prob. when theres more speed around the barrel... i guess practice practice practice.. thanks!!
Thanks so much Just Smoke-- I will try that tmw-- sounds like a great idea!!
Edited by Dixieangeln 2004-04-01 8:01 AM
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 Last Comedian Standing 
Posts: 10919
       Location: South Texas | Welcome
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 Expert
Posts: 1594
     Location: Texas | Welcome to the board!!! All I can say is ride ride ride. It takes a long time to get together with a good horse.. Keep smiling .. do not worry.. just have fun and ride...  |
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 If you knew me you would want to be me
Posts: 13645
       Location: Utah | Try turning and looking for the third barrel. Look where you are wanting to go not where you are at the moment. Looking for the next barrel does amazing things for your body language. |
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 Extreme Veteran
Posts: 339
    Location: East Texas | Welcome!!! |
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 Lady Di
Posts: 21556
        Location: Oklahoma | I have seen this problem when people come to try my 1D horse that I have for sale...he just turns the 2nd barrel so fast that the centrifugal force gets them and throws them to the outside of the turn....it sounds like this is what your horse is doing to you. I would suggest you start doing some exercises for your inner thighs and abdomen...the stronger your legs are, the better you can grip when you go into the turn. You need to use those muscles to hold yourself in the saddle, especially if your horse is big and stout or has really explosive speed...Also, you might try putting more weight on your inside stirrup and see if that helps.... |
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 Extreme Veteran
Posts: 582
    Location: NC | Oh thanks so much.. ya'll are great!! Im gonna practice those new ideas this weekend.. sounds like they will all help!! ---yes i think he is faster than im use to also-- which is fine but it does throw me at the 2nd.. Thanks again!
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.bmp) Extreme Veteran
Posts: 529
  Location: Kansas | Yea as ana said look at the third barrel but DONT look with just you head...turn your WHOLE upper body......*do the twist basically*...it is difficult to remeber and do all at the same time at first but with practice you will get better.....something that has always helped me is having someone yell at me sit and look...when you get to the right place.....hope this helps and welcome!!! |
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 Triple Extra-Ordinaire
Posts: 4244
     Location: Okla | Originally written by Dixieangeln on 2004-04-01 7:27 AM
.. also after that i have a hard time getting my rein back to head to the 3rd barrel.. yesterday i ended up at the 3rd barrel still holding my inside rein cause i never got the outside rein back fromt he 2nd barrel.....I know i need practice and I am my own worst critic but i want to help my horse the best i can and "get in" with him as well. Thanks for any advise!! :0) A good trick to help you get your outside rein back is "touch and slide". Using your free hand, touch the hand holding the rein...now slide the free hand down the rein to the spot you want to pick up. Does that make sense? |
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 Extreme Veteran
Posts: 508
 Location: In my own head | You described it as "getting choppy" into second...are you sure he's switching to the correct lead? |
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.bmp) Extreme Veteran
Posts: 529
  Location: Kansas | Good point speed skill and will |
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 Extreme Veteran
Posts: 582
    Location: NC | Wow... ya'll are right ont he nail!! I cant believe you actully know what im talking about without having to see it.. now thats good! I love the slide hand idea... and I will check his leads tmw and see if that may have been part of it but i really feel its my doing so i will try the "twist" and pushing against the horn- and the great key to finding my rein all this weekend- as well as checking his lead changes.... thanks SO much for all these great ideas... no one has been so informative as this board.. thanks again!!52 |
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