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Rad Dork
Posts: 5218
 
Location: Oklahoma | I'm looking at some ads and I see the people saying they are selling the horse because they "prefer a push style horse?". Is is just a riding preference? Can someone please explain? When I think of "push style" I think of my old gelding that I had to take every once of my being to push him past the barrels so we wouldn't knock them all over. I can see where that might be preferred over one you would have to rate hard to shut them down so you don't blow past a barrel... is that the logic behind it?
not trying to knock anyone's riding style or preference.. just curious! |
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Expert
Posts: 4766
  
Location: Bandera, TX | A push horse is one that requires the rider pushing it up into the pocket. The free runner is often in need of a jockey that has the timing and coordination to rate it. |
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 Accident Prone
Posts: 22277
Location: 100 miles from Nowhere, AR | It's a preference. Push horses are less scary and leave a little more room for pilot error. You might hit a barrel if your timing is off but you won't feel like you're on roller coaster that's come off the tracks. Plus, I think a lot of people ride better if they can be busy. Quiet is harder when the adrenaline hits if you're not naturally inclined to that. I love a free runner that's tuned into me. Smooch them off a barrel and then drop your outside rein and sit at the right spot for the next turn--that's my ideal horse. |
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 Party Girl
Posts: 12293
Location: Buffalo, Wyoming | Three 4 Luck - 2014-02-04 8:36 AM It's a preference. Push horses are less scary and leave a little more room for pilot error. You might hit a barrel if your timing is off but you won't feel like you're on roller coaster that's come off the tracks. Plus, I think a lot of people ride better if they can be busy. Quiet is harder when the adrenaline hits if you're not naturally inclined to that. I love a free runner that's tuned into me. Smooch them off a barrel and then drop your outside rein and sit at the right spot for the next turn--that's my ideal horse.
I love your discription of a free-runner. That is exactly how I feel when I am riding one, like I am on a runaway train or roller coaster.
I must prefer a push style horse like T4L said I prefer to stay busy. |
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Rad Dork
Posts: 5218
Location: Oklahoma | Thanks so much! I'll be marking those horses off my list! |
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Veteran
Posts: 171
| I love my free runner......I do not leave the arena huffing and puffing from exhaustion from kicking the whole entire time.
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The Advice Guru
Posts: 6419
| My definition of a free runner is one you have to manually check at each barrel with the reins.
Whereas a push style horse is one that will never run by a barrel even when you are not having your a game. |
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| I prefer a free runner also. I am not an aggressive rider so a push style doesn't fit me. |
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 Miss Laundry Misshap
Posts: 5271
| I've never ridden a free runner, so I have no idea if I'd like it. That being said, I am an agressive rider, but riding push style horses for my whole life, it's no wonder that I'm agressive.
I've heard from several ladies that they really like free runners now that they are older because they are easier to ride. If they get a few kicks in to get help it's a bonus! |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 911
Location: Durango CO | I was told a push style can be one of 2 things. 1) You have to encourage them to keep them running full speed and/or 2) you have to push them deep into your pocket or they will turn too soon.
A free runner is one that 1) does not need encouragement to run at full speed and/or they need to be rated down at the barrel.
I get overwhelmed if I have to "do too much stuff" on a horse so I like free runner much much better. I just sold a push style horse a few months ago because you had to be super aggressive or he would turn. |
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 Extreme Veteran
Posts: 352
Location: Texas | I don't mind a push style horse that you just need to push a bit into the pocket or they turn too soon. The horse I have know is push style, as in she'll only go as fast as you want (or you make her). I don't have to kick, kick, kick, but I do have to do more. For now, I'm getting back into barrels and she suits me. I imagine as I get better I'll want more of a free runner and she'll go to my daughter.
I can see reasons for wanting both. |
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 Total Germophobe
Posts: 6437
Location: Montana | My mare I currently have is a push style horse...and you have to push her into her pockets so she doesn't turn too soon and you have to push, push, push, for speed. I'm not very aggressive and when you give me too much to do I'll mess something up, so I'm think I may be better suited to a free runner. Before I've described myself as wanting a push style free runner: something that won't hit a barrel if I sit too soon, but will clock if I don't push and will clock better if I do.
Edited by mtcanchazer 2014-02-04 3:51 PM
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 Not Afraid to Work
Posts: 4717
| I consider a push style horse to be one with natural rate. They rate themselves and you drive them with your seat. You also may need to kick/drive them harder into a pocket. I am an aggressive rider and dont do as well on a free runner. I have to think more on a free runner and remind myself not to kick or push them too hard or I will run them past the barrels.
It is all personal preference that fits with you style of riding. I grew up riding cowy bred horses with a lot of natural rate so when I moved to a free runner, it was a huge adjustment for me. |
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 You get what you give
Posts: 13030
Location: Texas | IDK I think all my horses are a mix of both. Lucy is the fastest horse I've ever been on, but I have to really drive across the pen and will hit the second if I cue too soon. Likewise, we have won 1D money and rodeo money with some ugly barrels where I drove her past one too far. We win money with mistakes and I like that I have some wiggle room. If we hit a barrel, it's going in.
Now Tank is one who you really can't push past a barrel. Likewise, we *rarely* hit one either. He just knows his rate point and he's going to turn that barrel. He is free going to the first and running home, and its hustle hustle in-between. He gets a lot of year end awards for his consistency and lack of hitting. if we hit a barrel, it's typically my foot grabbing it leaving.
Zoom has been in-between the both of them. She's greener so she has a bobble here and there. She's FAST and I don't have to encourage her to run. Likewise, she knows her rate points and as long as I give her the right amount of room going to the barrels, we suck them up. if we hit a barrel, it's on the middle or backside. |
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 Expert
Posts: 1526
Location: Texas | Love the description of a free runner! Push type style horses are usually older and you are just a passenger. |
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