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Miss Not Exciting
Posts: 3279
   
Location: Ft Worth TX | I seem to be finding myself having this issue... A Lot. | |
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  Snake Charmer
Posts: 1632
Location: Texas | Whenever you figure this out, please let me know. I'm sure you we going to get a lot of "trust your horse, go let him work," but I train way better than I show. I usually am on the verge of a panic attach before a run... | |
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I AM being nice
Posts: 4396
Location: MD | What happens if you go make a run in the exhibitions? How do you ride then? | |
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 Twin Sister to Queen Boobie
Posts: 13315
Location: East Tennessee but who knows?! | Good post!  | |
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 Miss Laundry Misshap
Posts: 5271
| Get on your good horse, tell yourself point and kick. Then get on the trainee, forget which horse your on and usually screw up the little details!
It took me a bit to get on Nate and remember how to ride him. I just mentally told myself to keep my hands still and kick! He just about runs the pattern blindfolded and upside down, so all he needs is a passenger. Thank goodness my Trainee got the hang of things and now he's very close to point and kick! There were a couple of barrels down on Nate, which were 100% my fault because I was doing little training things that he didn't need! | |
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 Owner of a ratting catting machine
Posts: 2258
| Honestly, what's worked for me was to have somebody else make a run on them and show me what my own horse is capable of...
Then I know I can move on to more pressure in the pattern. | |
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 Expert
Posts: 1302
Location: California | I'm AWFUL about this. I go in for an exhibition and if my horse does something stupid or that I don't like I stop them and correct it and then go on. Horrible habit. I just need to let them make mistakes and keep going. | |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 550
| classicpotatochip - 2015-01-30 8:49 AM
Honestly, what's worked for me was to have somebody else make a run on them and show me what my own horse is capable of...
Then I know I can move on to more pressure in the pattern.
This is what I have been thinking of doing. I have run horses that were not finished as nice as the one I have, but I just can't make him really run. I know all the stupid stuff he did when he was starting, and I think it just gets in my way. I'm probably going to have to start hauling him this year since my mare is slowing down, but I'm going to be slower on him. I've only exhibitioned, so I don't know how I would do in a run. I would guess even worse! lol | |
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 Veteran
Posts: 232
Location: Winging It in KY | I confess!! I am an offender as well. | |
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| I try to tell myself "Trust your training" a lot. It's definitely easier said than done. I'll repeat this in my head going up the alley and hope that it sticks. My mare has been clocking faster each run, so naturally I've been wanting to continue getting faster.
Set goals for yourself. If you were mid 3D last week, tell yourself you want to be top of the 3D this week.
Edited by WrapN3MN 2015-01-30 8:29 AM
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 Whack and Roll
Posts: 6342
Location: NE Texas | I think the hardest part in actually making a competitive run on a horse that you've trained and seasoned is the fact that you have so much pride invested in your product that it is difficult to set aside your pride and be willing for your horse to make mistakes. We take it personally if our horse isn't perfect.....we are our own worst critic.
What I do to combat this is I don't keep my horses slow and perfect as long as some do. I try to challenge both them and myself weekly usually by picking up the pace a bit. I don't trot through and trot through and trot through and I don't over exhibition one if they know the pattern and are at the point of going in the pen looking for the first barrel. The first few times to town, yes, I will trot and exhibition, lope one, then trot one again and fix anything that needs fixing on the last one, but during my lope through I try to let them work as much on their own as they will. I try to only stay at this pace for a week or two if the colt/horse is handling everything. Once they are handling that, I will then cruise through on my first exhibition and ask them to work at the speed/pace they are at home. Then either lope or trot my next two exhibitions and tidy up any mistakes we had. I want my horses to know that their first time down the alley is the one that counts, so I exhibition my horses that way. Plus, I think if you trot them through the first time it just gives them the opportunity to find something to booger at. Faster pace = less boogering.
Once they are cruising a nice set on their first exhibition, I start really asking them to step it up and make a competitive run and am usually entering a horse at this point unless they are futurity colts and it's before Dec 1, then I just treat my first exhibition as a competition run. I want my horses to know that this is a speed event and that they need to go in there the first time ready to make a run and focused without a practice run, time only, or exhibition.
There has never been a perfect run....ever. And with increased speed your horse is going to have to completely re-learn his timing and you are too. I compare it to us driving on the interstate to work everyday.....no biggie....but put me in a Nascar and my timing in the turns, etc. is going to be off. So I increase the speed as soon as I can in order to work on getting the timing down faster. Our horses are going to make mistakes, WE are going to make mistakes, but at the end of the day, it's just timing and you and your horse coming together. I choose to view mistakes as learning experiences for both me and my horses and we'll do better next time. As long as they go in paying attention and attempting to work, you're batting 1000, at that point it's just timing for the both of you.
If something does go super haywire, I will stay and get a couple of after exhibitions to reiterate the correct thing to do. Just slow, calm work to remind both my horse and myself what not to do.....then go on to the next barrel race and go again. I believe if we keep horses slow and steady they think that is what we expect and they tend to have the "I don't want to go to fast because I know i'm going to have to turn up here" mentality. Don't be afraid to let you and your horses have learning experiences; that is how both we and they learn to compete and to get things right! Now go enjoy your ponies, don't be such a critic of both yourself and your horse, and get the money!!!!! 
Edited by Herbie 2015-01-30 8:57 AM
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| Herbie - 2015-01-30 8:56 AM
I think the hardest part in actually making a competitive run on a horse that you've trained and seasoned is the fact that you have so much pride invested in your product that it is difficult to set aside your pride and be willing for your horse to make mistakes. We take it personally if our horse isn't perfect.....we are our own worst critic.Â
What I do to combat this is I don't keep my horses slow and perfect as long as some do. I try to challenge both them and myself weekly usually by picking up the pace a bit. I don't trot through and trot through and trot through and I don't over exhibition one if they know the pattern and are at the point of going in the pen looking for the first barrel. The first few times to town, yes, I will trot and exhibition, lope one, then trot one again and fix anything that needs fixing on the last one, but during my lope through I try to let them work as much on their own as they will. I try to only stay at this pace for a week or two if the colt/horse is handling everything. Once they are handling that, I will then cruise through on my first exhibition and ask them to work at the speed/pace they are at home. Then either lope or trot my next two exhibitions and tidy up any mistakes we had. I want my horses to know that their first time down the alley is the one that counts, so I exhibition my horses that way. Plus, I think if you trot them through the first time it just gives them the opportunity to find something to booger at. Faster pace = less boogering.Â
Once they are cruising a nice set on their first exhibition, I start really asking them to step it up and make a competitive run and am usually entering a horse at this point unless they are futurity colts and it's before Dec 1, then I just treat my first exhibition as a competition run. I want my horses to know that this is a speed event and that they need to go in there the first time ready to make a run and focused without a practice run, time only, or exhibition.Â
There has never been a perfect run....ever. And with increased speed your horse is going to have to completely re-learn his timing and you are too. I compare it to us driving on the interstate to work everyday.....no biggie....but put me in a Nascar and my timing in the turns, etc. is going to be off. So I increase the speed as soon as I can in order to work on getting the timing down faster. Our horses are going to make mistakes, WE are going to make mistakes, but at the end of the day, it's just timing and you and your horse coming together. I choose to view mistakes as learning experiences for both me and my horses and we'll do better next time. As long as they go in paying attention and attempting to work, you're batting 1000, at that point it's just timing for the both of you.Â
If something does go super haywire, I will stay and get a couple of after exhibitions to reiterate the correct thing to do. Just slow, calm work to remind both my horse and myself what not to do.....then go on to the next barrel race and go again. I believe if we keep horses slow and steady they think that is what we expect and they tend to have the "I don't want to go to fast because I know i'm going to have to turn up here" mentality. Don't be afraid to let you and your horses have learning experiences; that is how both we and they learn to compete and to get things right! Now go enjoy your ponies, don't be such a critic of both yourself and your horse, and get the money!!!!! Â
This is the best thing I have read in a long time, thank you! I am considering printing it off and keeping it | |
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 I Chore in Chucks
Posts: 2882
Location: MD | this is possible?   | |
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Miss Not Exciting
Posts: 3279
Location: Ft Worth TX | Herbie - 2015-01-30 7:56 AM
I think the hardest part in actually making a competitive run on a horse that you've trained and seasoned is the fact that you have so much pride invested in your product that it is difficult to set aside your pride and be willing for your horse to make mistakes. We take it personally if our horse isn't perfect.....we are our own worst critic.Â
What I do to combat this is I don't keep my horses slow and perfect as long as some do. I try to challenge both them and myself weekly usually by picking up the pace a bit. I don't trot through and trot through and trot through and I don't over exhibition one if they know the pattern and are at the point of going in the pen looking for the first barrel. The first few times to town, yes, I will trot and exhibition, lope one, then trot one again and fix anything that needs fixing on the last one, but during my lope through I try to let them work as much on their own as they will. I try to only stay at this pace for a week or two if the colt/horse is handling everything. Once they are handling that, I will then cruise through on my first exhibition and ask them to work at the speed/pace they are at home. Then either lope or trot my next two exhibitions and tidy up any mistakes we had. I want my horses to know that their first time down the alley is the one that counts, so I exhibition my horses that way. Plus, I think if you trot them through the first time it just gives them the opportunity to find something to booger at. Faster pace = less boogering.Â
Once they are cruising a nice set on their first exhibition, I start really asking them to step it up and make a competitive run and am usually entering a horse at this point unless they are futurity colts and it's before Dec 1, then I just treat my first exhibition as a competition run. I want my horses to know that this is a speed event and that they need to go in there the first time ready to make a run and focused without a practice run, time only, or exhibition.Â
There has never been a perfect run....ever. And with increased speed your horse is going to have to completely re-learn his timing and you are too. I compare it to us driving on the interstate to work everyday.....no biggie....but put me in a Nascar and my timing in the turns, etc. is going to be off. So I increase the speed as soon as I can in order to work on getting the timing down faster. Our horses are going to make mistakes, WE are going to make mistakes, but at the end of the day, it's just timing and you and your horse coming together. I choose to view mistakes as learning experiences for both me and my horses and we'll do better next time. As long as they go in paying attention and attempting to work, you're batting 1000, at that point it's just timing for the both of you.Â
If something does go super haywire, I will stay and get a couple of after exhibitions to reiterate the correct thing to do. Just slow, calm work to remind both my horse and myself what not to do.....then go on to the next barrel race and go again. I believe if we keep horses slow and steady they think that is what we expect and they tend to have the "I don't want to go to fast because I know i'm going to have to turn up here" mentality. Don't be afraid to let you and your horses have learning experiences; that is how both we and they learn to compete and to get things right! Now go enjoy your ponies, don't be such a critic of both yourself and your horse, and get the money!!!!! Â
Thank you Herbie. I have really been struggling to push him to run. Our first is not always fantastic, turns good- just will pass it. I really am having trouble letting him make a mistake. I only get 2-3 exhibitions when i haul him- his second is best. HOWEVER he is starting to fire out of them more on his own. | |
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 Am I really the Weirdo?
Posts: 11181
Location: Kansas | Herbie - 2015-01-30 8:56 AM I think the hardest part in actually making a competitive run on a horse that you've trained and seasoned is the fact that you have so much pride invested in your product that it is difficult to set aside your pride and be willing for your horse to make mistakes. We take it personally if our horse isn't perfect.....we are our own worst critic.
What I do to combat this is I don't keep my horses slow and perfect as long as some do. I try to challenge both them and myself weekly usually by picking up the pace a bit. I don't trot through and trot through and trot through and I don't over exhibition one if they know the pattern and are at the point of going in the pen looking for the first barrel. The first few times to town, yes, I will trot and exhibition, lope one, then trot one again and fix anything that needs fixing on the last one, but during my lope through I try to let them work as much on their own as they will. I try to only stay at this pace for a week or two if the colt/horse is handling everything. Once they are handling that, I will then cruise through on my first exhibition and ask them to work at the speed/pace they are at home. Then either lope or trot my next two exhibitions and tidy up any mistakes we had. I want my horses to know that their first time down the alley is the one that counts, so I exhibition my horses that way. Plus, I think if you trot them through the first time it just gives them the opportunity to find something to booger at. Faster pace = less boogering.
Once they are cruising a nice set on their first exhibition, I start really asking them to step it up and make a competitive run and am usually entering a horse at this point unless they are futurity colts and it's before Dec 1, then I just treat my first exhibition as a competition run. I want my horses to know that this is a speed event and that they need to go in there the first time ready to make a run and focused without a practice run, time only, or exhibition.
There has never been a perfect run....ever. And with increased speed your horse is going to have to completely re-learn his timing and you are too. I compare it to us driving on the interstate to work everyday.....no biggie....but put me in a Nascar and my timing in the turns, etc. is going to be off. So I increase the speed as soon as I can in order to work on getting the timing down faster. Our horses are going to make mistakes, WE are going to make mistakes, but at the end of the day, it's just timing and you and your horse coming together. I choose to view mistakes as learning experiences for both me and my horses and we'll do better next time. As long as they go in paying attention and attempting to work, you're batting 1000, at that point it's just timing for the both of you.
If something does go super haywire, I will stay and get a couple of after exhibitions to reiterate the correct thing to do. Just slow, calm work to remind both my horse and myself what not to do.....then go on to the next barrel race and go again. I believe if we keep horses slow and steady they think that is what we expect and they tend to have the "I don't want to go to fast because I know i'm going to have to turn up here" mentality. Don't be afraid to let you and your horses have learning experiences; that is how both we and they learn to compete and to get things right! Now go enjoy your ponies, don't be such a critic of both yourself and your horse, and get the money!!!!!
You are so very very right!!!!
I also put pressure on mine pretty early because they need to comprehend that it's a race and you can't stop just because you made a little mistake. There will be time to do a tuneup later but right now the clock is ticking!!
I probably enter mine sooner than most people would, and I stop doing exhibitions as soon as they are trying to work the first time. I personally hate buying exhibitions so if I can fix a problem at home in slow work, I'll do that instead. | |
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Whack and Roll
Posts: 6342
Location: NE Texas | You guys are very welcome. Believe me, it took me a long time to realize this, and believe it or not it came from my non horse husband. I'm a thinker, and over analyzer, and will watch a video of my horse and my run 273 times looking for that one thing I need to improve upon. I would ride very conservatively so as not to over do anything....so my horse wouldn't be overwhelmed, so I didn't look stupid in front of anyone. Shortly after we were married he asked me why I wasn't going fast and trying to win first. I explained to him well I just started this horse a few months ago and they aren't ready. He said I see you make runs on them at home....they look pretty ready to me....send em in and try to win it. What's the worst thing that can happen? They run by the barrel, up the fence, you fall off....what? Yes, all those things can happen, but probably won't. Go try to win it. And when I took on that mentality my program did change and my horses stepped up. That being said, I absolutely do my homework and make sure my horse is prepared for what i'm asking, but i'm going to try to challenge my horse every day until we reach our peak performance. Look at the cover of the barrel horse news, go watch a big futurity, if you see a perfect run without mistakes and the rider of the horse is sitting down in the saddle looking nice and relaxed like they're in a recliner i'll kiss your butt. Be prepared, do your homework, check your pride and go try to win something. It may fall apart for a minute and we may want to nit pick ourselves, but chances are that once we learn how to drive that nascar and we get all our settings right, we're gonna be dang tough and be competitive! | |
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 Vodka for Lunch
Location: Lala Land | Herbie - 2015-01-30 11:44 AM
You guys are very welcome.  Believe me, it took me a long time to realize this, and believe it or not it came from my non horse husband. I'm a thinker, and over analyzer, and will watch a video of my horse and my run 273 times looking for that one thing I need to improve upon.  I would ride very conservatively so as not to over do anything....so my horse wouldn't be overwhelmed, so I didn't look stupid in front of anyone.  Shortly after we were married he asked me why I wasn't going fast and trying to win first. I explained to him well I just started this horse a few months ago and they aren't ready. He said I see you make runs on them at home....they look pretty ready to me....send em in and try to win it. What's the worst thing that can happen?  They run by the barrel, up the fence, you fall off....what? Yes, all those things can happen, but probably won't. Go try to win it. And when I took on that mentality my program did change and my horses stepped up. That being said, I absolutely do my homework and make sure my horse is prepared for what i'm asking, but i'm going to try to challenge my horse every day until we reach our peak performance.  Look at the cover of the barrel horse news, go watch a big futurity, if you see a perfect run without mistakes and the rider of the horse is sitting down in the saddle looking nice and relaxed like they're in a recliner i'll kiss your butt.  Be prepared, do your homework, check your pride and go try to win something. It may fall apart for a minute and we may want to nit pick ourselves, but chances are that once we learn how to drive that nascar and we get all our settings right, we're gonna be dang tough and be competitive! Â
I really want to hug you right now!!! I needed this!   | |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 316
| WrapN3MN - 2015-01-30 8:28 AM
I try to tell myself "Trust your training" a lot. It's definitely easier said than done. I'll repeat this in my head going up the alley and hope that it sticks. My mare has been clocking faster each run, so naturally I've been wanting to continue getting faster.
Set goals for yourself. If you were mid 3D last week, tell yourself you want to be top of the 3D this week.
This is exactly what I started thinking about before my run and have gotten ALOT better! Makes you feel secure within yourself. And also "Go in and run your own race" | |
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Whack and Roll
Posts: 6342
Location: NE Texas | Lovin Life - 2015-01-30 11:59 AM Herbie - 2015-01-30 11:44 AM You guys are very welcome. Believe me, it took me a long time to realize this, and believe it or not it came from my non horse husband. I'm a thinker, and over analyzer, and will watch a video of my horse and my run 273 times looking for that one thing I need to improve upon. I would ride very conservatively so as not to over do anything....so my horse wouldn't be overwhelmed, so I didn't look stupid in front of anyone. Shortly after we were married he asked me why I wasn't going fast and trying to win first. I explained to him well I just started this horse a few months ago and they aren't ready. He said I see you make runs on them at home....they look pretty ready to me....send em in and try to win it. What's the worst thing that can happen? They run by the barrel, up the fence, you fall off....what? Yes, all those things can happen, but probably won't. Go try to win it. And when I took on that mentality my program did change and my horses stepped up. That being said, I absolutely do my homework and make sure my horse is prepared for what i'm asking, but i'm going to try to challenge my horse every day until we reach our peak performance. Look at the cover of the barrel horse news, go watch a big futurity, if you see a perfect run without mistakes and the rider of the horse is sitting down in the saddle looking nice and relaxed like they're in a recliner i'll kiss your butt. Be prepared, do your homework, check your pride and go try to win something. It may fall apart for a minute and we may want to nit pick ourselves, but chances are that once we learn how to drive that nascar and we get all our settings right, we're gonna be dang tough and be competitive! I really want to hug you right now!!! I needed this!
Big hugs to you as well! Happy Friday!!! | |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 489
| Kudos to Herbie's advice. Once you lay the foundation and your horses are really confident in the pattern and what you are asking, ya gotta check your ego and let them work.
I find that by adding speed in parts of the pattern, I get my horses to progress toward running quicker and still keep their confidence in what I'm asking. I might float them to and around the first, then really ask to and around the 2nd, then gather up and float to third and home. Next time might be float to 1st and 2nd, then ask to 3rd. Run to 1st, float the others. I do better at keeping my mind (and theirs) and finesse on track this way - instead of becoming a crazy woman that is suddenly asking for a lot of speed. I also find this helps the horse accept you handling them in a pattern at a higher rate of speed. Always be horseman enough to know what your horse is ready for.
Eventually you have to put on the big girl panties and try to win one! | |
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