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Veteran
Posts: 107
| I've had this mare for about 4 years, and I bought her with the intentions of competing on her. But she was sent to a trainer that trains her horses to shoulder their barrels and cut off their pockets (I had no idea at the time). I spent the first year just riding and getting to know this horse. Then I spent the next 3 years trying to break her of her bad habit on the pattern. She has improved but during a run it is a constant battle to keep her off the barrel. I've went to trainers, tried different bits, had her checked out by the vet, etc. I live on a ranch and rodeo is not something that my family cares for, so I have no arena to work on these problems consistently. I think this mare could really have potential if only she was more interested in barrels and didn't have so many problems on the pattern. I'm at the point where I am considering cutting my losses and selling this horse and looking for an actual barrel bred horse from more reputable sellers.
The catch is that everything else about this horse is great. She has an awesome mind, she is laid back, and she is one of those horses that is dang near bombproof. I'm also scared that if I sell her then I'll just end up hating every other horse that I try. |
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 A Somebody to Everybody
Posts: 41354
  
Location: Under The Big Sky Of Texas | If you like her that much then I would be sending her to a good trainer that knows the problems you are having with this mare. Send her to someone that can fix her not just some jo blow.. Where do you live? |
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Veteran
Posts: 107
| I live in ND, not many options for trainers in my area. |
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Defense Attorney for The Horse
Location: Claremore, OK | That can be fixed by someone that knows what they’re doing. And you can be shown how to ride and tune her to keep her good. |
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 Expert
Posts: 1514
Location: Illinois | I spent 4 months on one that everyone knew as "barrel basher" in a 3 state radius. I needed one for a college class and they let me use her for free, so they got free training. Fractured my leg on the barrel through shin guards, she was that bad. I finally got to where I could run and not have to constantly hold her off, but it took almost the whole semester. They never once got together with me to ask me what I did & how I ran her. They still never made a clean run on her after they took her home & I had won 1D-2D money at every race I went to for the last month on her. They offered her to me for sale the day they picked her up for $20,000 and a year later sold her for $6,500. After going through that I wouldn't ever train one again for someone who wasn't going to work with me and participate in the process, nor would I ever send a horse to a trainer that I couldn't come watch or take a lesson. So I say if you like her, at least give her the opportunity for you BOTH to work with a trainer that comes highly recommended and has references. Always check references, find ones you can see videos of. I would suggest that, and at least giving it a few months to work with her and then re-evaluate then. |
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 Not Afraid to Work
Posts: 4717
| Prairie Rouge - 2018-08-15 2:44 PM
I live in ND, not many options for trainers in my area.
ND isn't no man's land, their are trainers there. Do you have videos of this horse running barrels?
I agree, send her to someone to evaluate (even if its out of state) - I am in MN and know quite a few good trainers. |
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Veteran
Posts: 107
| I don’t know any trainers around my area that are very reputable and less than 5 hours one way. I do have some videos I could try and get on here if people wanted. |
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Veteran
Posts: 107
| I suppose I’m also just frustrated because every time I get on this horse I have to be fixing on something. Or re-training something and I can never just have an enjoyable ride/practice/run that I’m not totally frustrated with afterwards. It’s becoming almost a chore every time I get on her. |
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  Sock eating dog owner
Posts: 4553
Location: Where the pavement ends and the West begins Utah | OMG . You have the best arena to train in! No need to sale. while out on the ranch ask to move off your leg around boulders, trees and bushes. You know what needs to happen so work at it out on the ranch. Just know if it doesnt happen immediately/pronto at a walk you will have the SAME response in a run. |
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Not Afraid to Work
Posts: 4717
| stayceem - 2018-08-15 4:25 PM
Prairie Rouge - 2018-08-15 2:44 PM
I live in ND, not many options for trainers in my area.
ND isn't no man's land, their are trainers there. Do you have videos of this horse running barrels?
I agree, send her to someone to evaluate (even if its out of state ) - I am in MN and know quite a few good trainers.
Not discounting your ability but it sounds to me like you're frustrated and if that's the case then yes, sell or have someone help you. There is a reason there are professionals. I cannot afford a lot of training and have the "do it myself" attitude but I also am close enough to take lessons and as often as I need IF I am struggling with something.
I also agree with the other poster that you have a lot of ways to fix this without an arena. Videos could help as we have a lot of great people here on BHW and you might get some great advice but also have to be brave enough to hear the good, bad an ugly. Also maybe post where you are in ND and maybe someone has a good trainer referral. |
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 Expert
Posts: 3782
Location: Gainesville, TX | Liana D - 2018-08-15 2:45 PM
That can be fixed by someone that knows what they’re doing. And you can be shown how to ride and tune her to keep her good.
And this is the lady you send her to lol. She is great at it. And she can and will show you how to keep your horse working good afterwards. |
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Expert
Posts: 1314
Location: North Central Iowa Land of white frozen grass | I also agree you have a great training area out on the ranch. Use every natural obstacle you can find. When ever you are on their back you are training. We don't have an arena. My daughter just used one barrel with a tractor tire laying around it. That way the horse can't shoulder the barrel. To me you train a horse to listen to you. Not train to be in an arena. |
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