|
|
 Veteran
Posts: 194
 
Location: Texas | I bought a horse about a year ago he was patterned and just needed to be hauled. He will eat up a set of barrels at home and I have no doubt that he's a 1d caliber horse. The problem I have is I can't keep him focused when I haul him anywhere. I go to the same pen at least one night a week and different pens on the weekend but he still goes in looking everywhere. He will even look for the laser on the barrels. If I can get him to first barrel he's normally great after that. I've tried everything. I consistently haul him. I've tried building his confidence. I even handed him over to my husband to start roping on him. he picked up roping and when my husband hauls him, he stays focused and does great, he's already winning money on him at big roping's. Can anyone think of anything I have missed ?? I've never had one that I couldn't get seasoned in over a years time. He's 7 years old. |
|
| |
|
 Expert
Posts: 1611
 
Location: bring on the heat, NV | hmm what do you do different from your husband? Does he haul with other horses? Do you haul him by himself? What does he do warm up wise? I would start off there. Are you nervous when you get to the arena to compete? He may be picking up on that or need a different routine. Or calming cookies he he |
|
| |
|
Elite Veteran
Posts: 710
| Maybe have your husband ride him at the barrel race and see what the reaction is. Calming cookies are great, so is the Animal Element In The Zone paste. |
|
| |
|
 Expert
Posts: 1612
Location: Cocoa, Florida | If he does fine in the roping box with your husband but is hesitant with you in the barrel pen my first thought would be is it you? Like they said, are you nervous, is he feeding off of you? Or does he just like roping better, I had a couple that really didn't want to be barrel horses, one was even bred out to ying yang to do the job.
Also try bevs equine products Calm & Ready, it's all natural liquid, I use 3-5 cc 2 hours before each run! Or Check for ulcers! |
|
| |
|
 Owner of a ratting catting machine
Posts: 2258
| Well, roping is usually better money than running barrels... 
Maybe trade your husband for him for a nice chunk of his winnings and go get you a different horse that isn't such a looky loo...
One thought...I'm betting your husband is working him in a short tie down. Do you leave the tie down on to run barrels on him, or do you take it off? |
|
| |
|
Veteran
Posts: 194
Location: Texas | I'm not nervous at all on him. Husband said I ride him too quiet , he thinks I need to whip and ride all the way down the alley hahahaha.
Yes he rides in a tie-down, I don't
He seems to really enjoy his barrels at the house never gives me any trouble.
If I could ride him in the arena for about 10 mins, show him everthing, then make a run he would be great. It's like the transition from alley to open arena gets him.
I was thinking about trying to give him something to focus. |
|
| |
|
Owner of a ratting catting machine
Posts: 2258
| Chlorpromazine and a tie down for a few runs. Then reduce the amount of chlorpromazine for a few runs, then no downers, then loosen the tie down for a run or two, then take it off and see what you have...
If he's used to working under pressure in a tie down, why take it off? Maybe he needs it to keep his brain screwed in. Mine works at home without a tie down, but he gets one to run in because it helps him stay together, mentally and physically. |
|
| |
|
I AM being nice
Posts: 4396
Location: MD | Maybe your husband isn't necessarily wrong. I'm not saying to go whipping and spurring on up the alley, but I've sure had some young ones that did a whole pile better when I gave them less time to look at things... |
|
| |
|
 Elite Veteran
Posts: 966
Location: Loco,Ok | They don't all want to be barrel horses. Cattle are fun to them. |
|
| |
|
 A Somebody to Everybody
Posts: 41354
Location: Under The Big Sky Of Texas | Maybe hes coming in the arena looking for some cattle to be roped, so he looking all over the place for them and thinking where in the heck are those steers?!! LOL.. |
|
| |
|
Veteran
Posts: 194
Location: Texas | Thank you guys, hopefully he will line out soon. I'm going continue to haul and exhibition him, iv got others I'm hauling anyways so might as well put him in the trailer. I just really like him and know the potential he's got! he's so much fun at home! |
|
| |
|
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 589
| THE Smooth Focus  |
|
| |
|
 I hate cooking and cleaning
Posts: 3310
Location: Jersey Girl | Do you exhibition him? Some need one before they run so they can see everything. Sounds like maybe he just needs to be seasoned a little more. |
|
| |
Folks on-line