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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 846
  
Location: Wa | Is there a reason you don't see many running barrels? Seems like the race tracks pretty much give them away, but yet I don't see them in the barrel pen. Any thoughts? |
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  Angel in a Sorrel Coat
Posts: 16030
 
Location: In a happy place | I bought quite a few through the years and loved every one of them. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 846
Location: Wa | What caliber did they turn out to be? Could they get down in the dirt like a QH or did they make their time up in between the barrels? |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 1131
| I've seen plenty of successful TBs at 4D races. 1D/2D horses, but of course, find ones who are built to succeed at these kinds of events. Conformation is really important, as well as work ethic. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 516
| I think there's a huge stigma when it comes to thoroughbreds running barrels which is why you dont see a lot of them out there. I also think it takes a special person to train one to their fullest potential, they can be flighty and require a lot of retraining to get them using their body properly after the track.
Plus you have to think, how many QH's don't make it as barrel horses? Tons and tons! Just like QH's, you gotta find the right TB. Overall, yes I think they're worth looking in to! |
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 Extreme Veteran
Posts: 460
| I have had a few OTTBs that I have competed in barrels with =] Loved every single one of them! I actually prefer an OTTB to a Quarter Horse, it's all personal preference though! They can be just as competitive as any breed. As said above, there are plenty of QHs that can't make it in the barrel pen, its just on the individual. I personally like their mind sets better than the QHs that I have had. But, I loved every horse I've had =p |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 324
| I don't want to steal your post, but I'd like to expand on the question a little: How difficult are they (generally) to bring down and retrain after the track?
I'm currently looking at an OTTB to be my next barrel prospect so I'm glad OP asked |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 788
| Iv never ran a tb but I can promise you I have seen some at the track take off and flat smoke everyone for the first 1/2 mile and then come in last lol, and most of those kind look like QH rather than a lanky tb. I would be they are no different than QH and probably more calm. Most ppl that work with horses off the track just put them back in the round pen and pretty much re-break them so they can teach them how to give to pressure. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 460
| Personally,I don't even really "re-train" mine. These horses off the track are usually fairly level headed and well broke. They get ridden just about every day and by different people, they are used to crowds and noises and other horses. I usually just give mine some time off after the track (to get away any body soreness) and start riding about a month or so later. These horses are COMPLETELY different off the track. Off the race grain, off red cell, off the track mentality. Only takes about a day or two, and they will be a completely different horse. They know all the commands, they will stop when you pull. Most will even lope a fairly good slow pace naturally on a loose rein. The biggest reason they are "hot" is just from being on the track. If you ever see a QH on the track, 9/10 times they are WAY more crazy than the TBs. Again, just the track mentality. |
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Never Named
Posts: 1837
Location: Southern Alabama | Katielovestbs - 2017-01-19 1:40 PM Personally,I don't even really "re-train" mine. These horses off the track are usually fairly level headed and well broke. They get ridden just about every day and by different people, they are used to crowds and noises and other horses. I usually just give mine some time off after the track (to get away any body soreness) and start riding about a month or so later. These horses are COMPLETELY different off the track. Off the race grain, off red cell, off the track mentality. Only takes about a day or two, and they will be a completely different horse. They know all the commands, they will stop when you pull. Most will even lope a fairly good slow pace naturally on a loose rein. The biggest reason they are "hot" is just from being on the track. If you ever see a QH on the track, 9/10 times they are WAY more crazy than the TBs. Again, just the track mentality.
I agree! I have had a few that came straight to me, off the track. I normally turn them out for a little while and just let them relax and be a horse for a while and, give them time to get used to my feeding program, etc. Then, I just start riding them. I don't feel that they really need to be 'retrained', they are already broke. They just need more wet saddles pads and fine tuning put into them. |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 964
Location: Alberta, Canada | My ottb has been the easiest to train and haul and has more natural ability in her turns that many qhs ive seen... she started clocking in the 1D after about 4 small local jackpots at her first big show. She took very little seasoning and was the only 5 year old I've ever owned that didnt need to exhibition in new pens. She just went (and still does) to work regardless of surroundings.
I would not just pick up any ottb, but there are some that are built right and have the ability to be barrel horses... just like qhs. Will never turn my head from one again. |
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 Guys Just Wanna Have Fun
Posts: 5530
Location: OH | If you are going that route try and find a Sprinter----a TB that ran 6 furlongs or less. A great TB line that we like is the Clever Trick line, you can usually find them through his son Phone Trick or grandson Favorite Trick. |
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Angel in a Sorrel Coat
Posts: 16030
Location: In a happy place | Katielovestbs - 2017-01-19 1:40 PM Personally,I don't even really "re-train" mine. These horses off the track are usually fairly level headed and well broke. They get ridden just about every day and by different people, they are used to crowds and noises and other horses. I usually just give mine some time off after the track (to get away any body soreness) and start riding about a month or so later. These horses are COMPLETELY different off the track. Off the race grain, off red cell, off the track mentality. Only takes about a day or two, and they will be a completely different horse. They know all the commands, they will stop when you pull. Most will even lope a fairly good slow pace naturally on a loose rein. The biggest reason they are "hot" is just from being on the track. If you ever see a QH on the track, 9/10 times they are WAY more crazy than the TBs. Again, just the track mentality.
I agree. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 846
Location: Wa | Wow! This is good info! Thank all of you for your input! |
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 Hog Tie My Mojo
Posts: 4847
Location: Opelousas, LA | I agree with what everyone has said, love the TBs. They do not get injected near as much as a QH, are usually better broke and change leads better because they get galloped more. Plus, IMO, they seem to be grittier that a lot of the OTQH. I think you may have to hunt for one with the conformation to make a barrel horse, but they are out there, just watch the feet, crushed heels are hard to get back right. Plus thier stifles are usually in better shape because they spend more time jogging and galloping and less time on the walker. |
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