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Elite Veteran
Posts: 1165
  
Location: California | How many people had young prospects that they were afraid wouldn't make barrel horses? I'm not too worried about my 2yr old as I know he does have speed and is athletic. However, most days he seems like a been there done that old gelding who would rather walk then run. Lol
I'd just like to hear some experiences :)
Edited by Serenity06 2015-10-09 2:22 PM
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 "Hottie"
Posts: 1373
Location: Okemah,OK | My now 12 year old was that way when I bought him as a long 2 year old. He was about half broke and I sent him to a friend to finish his handle. I said "tell me what you think cause I think I may have just bought a pretty trail horse". 2 weeks later, I go to get him and his mom (a fairly well known barrel racer) said "I don't know what you have at home but if you want a barrel horse, this is your next one". It still took another year and a half for him to figure out barrels was a race (the movements and shape came easy) but once he did, away we went! I also attribute some of his laziness to the fact that he's a big boy (16.1, 1200 pounds) & growing was hard on him. Just like a teenage boy, he'd eat a lot, sleep a lot and be tired a lot. Glad I didn't sell that "pretty trail horse" though. He's the nicest barrel horse I've ever owned and the love of my life :-) |
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 Expert
Posts: 1857
| I did, started him on the pattern at 3, had no "want to". Pulled him off and putt him to use as a ranch horse his 4 & 5 year old years. Brought him back and he had the drive then. He's still lazy, but when its time to compete he's ready and will fire. I guess he figured out is was easier to run those cans for a few seconds than it was to pull calves all day everyday. |
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 Namesless in BHW
Posts: 10368
Location: At the race track with Ah Dee Ohs | As the saying goes....You can always put the run into them, but can't always get it out of them. I want mine a little on the lazy side. The run will come if it's there. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 333
| at age 5, mine was so very quiet. I figured i'd be letting the kids ride it. Horse always goes into the gate when asked, but i mistook her quietness as lazyness. Boy was I wrong ....can flat out run. Still prefers to just plug along on trail rides, warming up, etc. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 1165
Location: California | My boy only has 4 rides due to being a June baby I started him late and then the weather kicked in. He is more interested in eating and sleeping then doing anything that requires effort. Lol. Dont get me wrong, I definitely prefer this then a speed demon I have to figure out how to control! Lol
He is VERY smart and I know he has speed so im not completely worried yet. Was just curious to hear other peoples stories :)
Ace is the first foal by his sire so I cant wait to see how the other foals by Howelling Corona turn out! If they are anything like Ace I dont think anybody will be dissapointed with theirs! |
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 Coyote Country Queen
Posts: 5666
| My mare is 6 now, and she is quite possibly the laziest horse I've ever ridden! She's the only horse I wear spurs on, and I'm constantly pedaling. But you aim her to the gate and you better be holding on! After a run I can step off and toss my son in the saddle to cool her out. I love how level headed she is, it made her so easy to season. I will admit that getting the run early on was a little difficult. I started entering her as a 4 year old, and the summer of her 5 year old year I ran her at a handful of ammy rodeos and drew a check. She's currently clocking a half second off with room to improve. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 1165
Location: California | I wanted to do an update on my post....
Now that I am riding Ace consistently and have him lightly started (trotting) on the pattern I have to say, I really don't think I need to be worried at all! While he is still very laid back, this boy HUNTS a barrel! He truly wants to work and lights up when I point him to barrels. Warming up I have to push him for every step passed a walk almost, but point him towards a barrel and he comes alive! Still very manageable, and not trying to run off at all. He simply feels like he has a purpose I guess. |
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 Expert
Posts: 1898
| My sister has a horse who in his day was pretty tough competition. He was a top the 2D horse at big shoes, won the Ca NBHA State 2D saddle, won countless rodeos and open jackpots.
I HATE RIDING THIS HORSE! And always have. He is the laziest animal on the planet. You consistently have to kick, or kiss or whip to keep him going. If you don't he barely picks up his feet.
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 Off the Wall Wacky
Posts: 2981
Location: Louisiana | My 3yo barrel prospect is also the resident kid horse. He's that laid back and trustworthy. We've had him since he was an untouched weanling. Once he decided he liked us, it was over lol.
If someone comes to ride that is a novice, that's who they get on. He's only 3, but he is a babysitter.
He is smart smart though, and picked up on the barrels instantly. I have probably loped the pattern 20 times over 6 months and he's just solid. I take him back to basics just to make sure he's got it, and he shows me he does. You show him once and that's it.
I plan to ride him all winter and start entering in $100 novice horse classes in the spring with the small association I run.
Hubby has him ready for live cattle, he works the hot heels great. He has been hauled to rodeos and ridden in the grand entry and to push cattle.
His only flaw? He's ugly lol. Poor baby is just not a pretty horse. |
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Off the Wall Wacky
Posts: 2981
Location: Louisiana | cyount2009 - 2015-10-09 3:02 PM
My sister has a horse who in his day was pretty tough competition. He was a top the 2D horse at big shoes, won the Ca NBHA State 2D saddle, won countless rodeos and open jackpots.
I HATE RIDING THIS HORSE! And always have. He is the laziest animal on the planet. You consistently have to kick, or kiss or whip to keep him going. If you don't he barely picks up his feet.
The 3yo I talked about above? I pack a whip bc my legs get tired lol. With my husband he's more responsive. But with me he's even lazier than normal. |
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 Expert
Posts: 1515
Location: Illinois | My horse is like a cat, he sleeps 23 hours of the day. He won't put out any more effort than ABSOLUTELY necessary. However he still knows his job and gets himself motivated for the run. Then he walks out and 5 minutes later he's asleep. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 762
Location: NC | My 7 yr old has been like this since i bought her as a 3 yr old. Was one of the first things i liked about her when i tried her. Shes quiet before a run, turn her to the first you better hold on and after shes a pleasure horse. I put my non-riding aunt on her because shes the only one of mine that if you kick her she just keeps walking lol. |
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 Expert
Posts: 1482
Location: on my horse | I've got 2 like that actually, strangest thing! My gelding (mom's now actually) is so lazy! places where we have to go in a gate to run he walks in on a loose rein, if they have to set a barrel after I'm in he will actually shut his eyes... But when I do sit up and ask he runs very well then walks back out lol. I always say that my biggest worry with him is that one day he'll either not wake up at all or wake up completely and leave me behind 
I bought a mare this spring and before I got her I actually came on the board and asked everybody if they thought she would be a bad investment, she crawled along like a pleasure horse but was the confidence boost I needed so I bought her. Anyways I've got my confidence back thanks to her but have been plagued about the running thing and last night I opened her up down the track and that little sucker can get with it! She's only 14 hh but outran my gelding no problem!
Stick with your baby he'll probably surprise you  |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 618
| My 4yr old OTT Ivory James is LAZY! At first it bothered me but I actually enjoy him bc he's SO EASY to train and oh so smart. Super chill, go with the flow. I know he can run he has a race record to prove it. I do wear spurs and have to kiss at him to keep him moving. He's incredibly talented, naturally works off his hind end and wants to please. I think when he puts it all together he'll be a top notch barrel horse. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 1165
Location: California | Thank you everyone for all your experiences!
I am very happy with how he is progressing! I do think I will be introducing him to spurs as he tend to say "I'd rather not" at times when I ask him to move his front end or hind end. He does GREAT hustling in turns if I just continue to kiss or cluck at him through it. I think when he puts all the pieces together and realizes everything we are doing ties into the barrels being a race, he's going to be amazing. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 1131
| The soon to be 4yo that I started as a 2yo, we were really worried about him. He was born broke, and he was LAZY! We even used him as the beginner's trail horse because he was more laid back than most of our older horses. Now he's getting reining training put on him and he LOVES it. He does flying lead changes, rollbacks, spins, etc and he actually moves. He comes alive when he has a job, and is super athletic. So some of them just need a job to do or they are bored with the whole thing. |
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 Born not Made
Posts: 2931
Location: North Dakota | My old horse Beau was lazy like that. People thought he was a western pleasure horse, he was so laid back! But as time went on, his barrels kept improving and he would get excited when he knew it was time to run. Starting winning 1D locally, and I could walk him in and out of the arena like a WP horse!
Sure, the lazy ones can still kick butt.
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