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 Total Germophobe
Posts: 6443
   
Location: Montana | So, I'm really excited about this 7 y/o gelding I just bought. He is ultra broke, but not on the barrel pattern yet, although as broke as he is, he can turn a barrel pretty darn good doing barrel drills at a trot and I have worked him on the barrels a couple times at a trot. My question is, how often should I do barrel work since I'm just starting him? So far I've only done barrel work/drills about once a week, and then when I trail ride him, I sometimes go to a nearby field and I do spirals and things like that, etc. but no barrels.
But I don't want to burn him out or get him sour by doing too much barrel work, but if I send him to my trainer, I'd like to wait until spring (because of the weather, my horses usually get December and January off, sometimes February as well). Its been a while since I've had one ready to start on barrels, and my main mare I do no barrel work when we are running and minimal in the spring when I'm getting back to running (and only then as a refresher).
And, since there are those of you who will want to know, here's his bloodlines and I'll attach a picture: http://www.allbreedpedigree.com/tommy+top+gun
 (Jett.jpg)
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 Jett.jpg (88KB - 286 downloads)
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 Expert
Posts: 2128
| When I start one they probably see the barrels 3 days a week. Some futurity horses see them more days than that. Just have to be mindful to not push too hard too fast. | |
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Total Germophobe
Posts: 6443
Location: Montana | scwebster - 2017-09-13 3:04 PM When I start one they probably see the barrels 3 days a week. Some futurity horses see them more days than that. Just have to be mindful to not push too hard too fast.
This horse has a really good mind and a lot of potential, and he is so nice to ride, that I want to make sure not to screw him up! Thank you for your advice.  | |
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 Expert
Posts: 5293
| Good news is, he is 7, so they can handle a bit more pressure than 3-4 years olds in comparison. I would say, set yourself a goal. How fast do you want him to be competing etc.. If he is super broke he will probably take to it real quick and you won't need to do much training at all. | |
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Total Germophobe
Posts: 6443
Location: Montana | FLITASTIC - 2017-09-13 3:20 PM Good news is, he is 7, so they can handle a bit more pressure than 3-4 years olds in comparison. I would say, set yourself a goal. How fast do you want him to be competing etc.. If he is super broke he will probably take to it real quick and you won't need to do much training at all.
He is super broke, and he is already taking to to barrels like a fish to water. He will be super easy...and he has a super mind, and that helps so much. :) | |
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Expert
Posts: 1280
Location: Texas | I think that I would probably commit to a couple of weeks of very intense training (3-5 days a week on the pattern), but then I would give him a week or two off, just back to pasture riding. You can get a lot done in a couple of weeks at that pace, and then when you are ready to go back to the pattern, I bet he will have retained most of it. That being said, your best bet is to listen to him. Don't just keep hammering away if a problem appears. Take a step back. | |
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 Serious Snap Trapper
Posts: 4275
Location: In The Snow, AZ | tracies - 2017-09-14 8:32 AM
I think that I would probably commit to a couple of weeks of very intense training (3-5 days a week on the pattern), but then I would give him a week or two off, just back to pasture riding. You can get a lot done in a couple of weeks at that pace, and then when you are ready to go back to the pattern, I bet he will have retained most of it. That being said, your best bet is to listen to him. Don't just keep hammering away if a problem appears. Take a step back.
I like this answer. This is how I would go about it. Congrats, he is a nice looking fella. | |
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