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 Member
Posts: 14
| Hey everyone!
I wanted to see what people thought of placing blinkers on a barrel horse. I have a mare who's been running consistently well at our local NBHA shows, but when we go to larger shows where there is a crowd and signs she loses it.
And yes, I have taken her to multiple shows and tried every calming supplement known to man, nothing works! I have had this horse for 4 years and we show almost weekly. It is just when there is a change of pace she loses it, and does not pay attention. Our most recent show involved her not rating and turning at the first because there was a bright white sign right next to it, so granted we broke the pattern. I really don't know what else to do, besides asking. She should have been over this by now, we go to rodeos just for exhibition and still it's just as scary everytime.
I want to know if anyone has had this issue and has any solutions. My only idea left is to use blinkers and train her with them so that she listens to my cues and doesn't search for the barrels anymore.
Any ideas help! Thanks!
Edited by JoseyJoe 2015-11-17 8:18 PM
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 Expert
Posts: 1229
 
Location: Royal J Performance Horses, AZ | blinkers come in 2 or 3 different cup sizes if i recall. it just depends how much of the vision you want to block.
I have seen several people use them on looky horses that could do better with "seeing less"
I talked to a lot of these people who used them as I had a mare that would get VERY excited at big barrel races and lose all focus. However she is retired now so i never got the chance to try it.
My research and conversations with the many people who have used them is train them at home and at arenas/barrel races where they are comfortable before taking them to the big races or arenas where they go panic mode.
Some horses benefit from this, others don't. It's not a sure fire thing.
I'd say give it a shot, You can get a pair of blinkers pretty cheap that are used to try OR if you have any friends who race horses they may let you borrow their different cup sizes to gauge if one size works or none of them work. for your mare.
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Member
Posts: 14
| Fancie_That_Chrome_ - 2015-11-17 10:59 PM
blinkers come in 2 or 3 different cup sizes if i recall. it just depends how much of the vision you want to block.
I have seen several people use them on looky horses that could do better with "seeing less"
I talked to a lot of these people who used them as I had a mare that would get VERY excited at big barrel races and lose all focus. However she is retired now so i never got the chance to try it.
My research and conversations with the many people who have used them is train them at home and at arenas/barrel races where they are comfortable before taking them to the big races or arenas where they go panic mode.
Some horses benefit from this, others don't. It's not a sure fire thing.
I'd say give it a shot, You can get a pair of blinkers pretty cheap that are used to try OR if you have any friends who race horses they may let you borrow their different cup sizes to gauge if one size works or none of them work. for your mare.
Thank you for your input!
I figured it wouldn't hurt to try at home for a few weeks then give it a go at one of the arenas she is comfortable in. Just wanted to see what others have tried.
Recently I tried the DAC calm B paste and daily supplement. I also tripled the daily supplement feeding before the show, but it didn't seem to help. The arena was a rodeo arena, and so the chutes, signs, and stands were all too scary for her. She has seen these sights multiple times which makes this so frustrating. | |
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Expert
Posts: 1229
Location: Royal J Performance Horses, AZ | JoseyJoe - 2015-11-17 9:15 PM
Fancie_That_Chrome_ - 2015-11-17 10:59 PM
blinkers come in 2 or 3 different cup sizes if i recall. it just depends how much of the vision you want to block.
I have seen several people use them on looky horses that could do better with "seeing less"
I talked to a lot of these people who used them as I had a mare that would get VERY excited at big barrel races and lose all focus. However she is retired now so i never got the chance to try it.
My research and conversations with the many people who have used them is train them at home and at arenas/barrel races where they are comfortable before taking them to the big races or arenas where they go panic mode.
Some horses benefit from this, others don't. It's not a sure fire thing.
I'd say give it a shot, You can get a pair of blinkers pretty cheap that are used to try OR if you have any friends who race horses they may let you borrow their different cup sizes to gauge if one size works or none of them work. for your mare.
Thank you for your input!
I figured it wouldn't hurt to try at home for a few weeks then give it a go at one of the arenas she is comfortable in. Just wanted to see what others have tried.
Recently I tried the DAC calm B paste and daily supplement. I also tripled the daily supplement feeding before the show, but it didn't seem to help. The arena was a rodeo arena, and so the chutes, signs, and stands were all too scary for her. She has seen these sights multiple times which makes this so frustrating.
Yep, been there done that. Tried all the calming methods available.
But it's just a band aid. | |
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 Expert
Posts: 4121
Location: SE Louisiana | Nope!! I don't even know where to start.... It's all about trust..... | |
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Member
Posts: 14
| komet. - 2015-11-18 12:19 AM
Nope!! I don't even know where to start.... It's all about trust.....
I've had this mare for over 4 years, if she doesn't trust me by now, she isn't going to trust anyone.
Like I said, I take her to rodeos and spend money on exhibitions just so that she can see the sights and still nothing. I hate to look for an easy fix, but she isn't young and I have never put her in harm's way. This mare has been hauled for years, but nerves get in the way when there are "scary" things by the arena. She gets to touch them, ride by them, etc to where they are no longer a threat. Yet, the next time she sees the same object, it is scary again and she focuses on it, forgetting her job.
Edited by JoseyJoe 2015-11-17 11:27 PM
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Expert
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Location: SE Louisiana | JoseyJoe - 2015-11-17 11:26 PM
komet. - 2015-11-18 12:19 AM
Nope!! I don't even know where to start.... It's all about trust.....
I've had this mare for over 4 years, if she doesn't trust me by now, she isn't going to trust anyone.
Like I said, I take her to rodeos and spend money on exhibitions just so that she can see the sights and still nothing. I hate to look for an easy fix, but she isn't young and I have never put her in harm's way. This mare has been hauled for years, but nerves get in the way when there are "scary" things by the arena. She gets to touch them, ride by them, etc to where they are no longer a threat. Yet, the next time she sees the same object, it is scary again and she focuses on it, forgetting her job.
I really don't understand how you can say she is ALL of 4 years old and "isn't young".... "Harm's way?".. SIGH... Just because they can't see it.... a good nose and exceptional hearing come into play here. | |
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Member
Posts: 14
| komet. - 2015-11-18 12:41 AM
JoseyJoe - 2015-11-17 11:26 PM
komet. - 2015-11-18 12:19 AM
Nope!! I don't even know where to start.... It's all about trust.....
I've had this mare for over 4 years, if she doesn't trust me by now, she isn't going to trust anyone.
Like I said, I take her to rodeos and spend money on exhibitions just so that she can see the sights and still nothing. I hate to look for an easy fix, but she isn't young and I have never put her in harm's way. This mare has been hauled for years, but nerves get in the way when there are "scary" things by the arena. She gets to touch them, ride by them, etc to where they are no longer a threat. Yet, the next time she sees the same object, it is scary again and she focuses on it, forgetting her job.
I really don't understand how you can say she is ALL of 4 years old and "isn't young".... "Harm's way?".. SIGH... Just because they can't see it.... a good nose and exceptional hearing come into play here.
She's 8 years old, I have had her for 4 and a half years.
She has been with me through everything, trail rides, hunter paces, rodeos, barrel races, indoor and outdoor arenas.
This horse is seasoned and well trained. Actually, professionally trained for over a year by a well known barrel racer in my area.
She will do anything I ask of her, it's her personality of being extra cautious that gets in the way of her job. She is very looky. Nothing at a rodeo arena is going to hurt her and she has seen the sights multiple times. | |
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Posts: 4121
Location: SE Louisiana | JoseyJoe - 2015-11-17 11:48 PM
komet. - 2015-11-18 12:41 AM
JoseyJoe - 2015-11-17 11:26 PM
komet. - 2015-11-18 12:19 AM
Nope!! I don't even know where to start.... It's all about trust.....
I've had this mare for over 4 years, if she doesn't trust me by now, she isn't going to trust anyone.
Like I said, I take her to rodeos and spend money on exhibitions just so that she can see the sights and still nothing. I hate to look for an easy fix, but she isn't young and I have never put her in harm's way. This mare has been hauled for years, but nerves get in the way when there are "scary" things by the arena. She gets to touch them, ride by them, etc to where they are no longer a threat. Yet, the next time she sees the same object, it is scary again and she focuses on it, forgetting her job.
I really don't understand how you can say she is ALL of 4 years old and "isn't young".... "Harm's way?".. SIGH... Just because they can't see it.... a good nose and exceptional hearing come into play here.
She's 8 years old, I have had her for 4 and a half years.
She has been with me through everything, trail rides, hunter paces, rodeos, barrel races, indoor and outdoor arenas.
This horse is seasoned and well trained. Actually, professionally trained for over a year by a well known barrel racer in my area.
She will do anything I ask of her, it's her personality of being extra cautious that gets in the way of her job. She is very looky. Nothing at a rodeo arena is going to hurt her and she has seen the sights multiple times.
You don't know much about horses do you? I can walk into any Bass Pro Shop.... and come out with bottles of bear and lion pee.... While you sit there talking about blinkers and pain.. Someone else is sprinkling this stuff throughout your pattern
You don't understand a prey animal can smell things that you cannot? | |
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Gettin Jiggy Wit It
Posts: 2734
| komet. - 2015-11-18 1:01 AM JoseyJoe - 2015-11-17 11:48 PM komet. - 2015-11-18 12:41 AM JoseyJoe - 2015-11-17 11:26 PM komet. - 2015-11-18 12:19 AM Nope!! I don't even know where to start.... It's all about trust..... I've had this mare for over 4 years, if she doesn't trust me by now, she isn't going to trust anyone. Like I said, I take her to rodeos and spend money on exhibitions just so that she can see the sights and still nothing. I hate to look for an easy fix, but she isn't young and I have never put her in harm's way. This mare has been hauled for years, but nerves get in the way when there are "scary" things by the arena. She gets to touch them, ride by them, etc to where they are no longer a threat. Yet, the next time she sees the same object, it is scary again and she focuses on it, forgetting her job. I really don't understand how you can say she is ALL of 4 years old and "isn't young".... "Harm's way?".. SIGH... Just because they can't see it.... a good nose and exceptional hearing come into play here. She's 8 years old, I have had her for 4 and a half years. She has been with me through everything, trail rides, hunter paces, rodeos, barrel races, indoor and outdoor arenas. This horse is seasoned and well trained. Actually, professionally trained for over a year by a well known barrel racer in my area. She will do anything I ask of her, it's her personality of being extra cautious that gets in the way of her job. She is very looky. Nothing at a rodeo arena is going to hurt her and she has seen the sights multiple times. You don't know much about horses do you? I can walk into any Bass Pro Shop.... and come out with bottles of bear and lion pee.... While you sit there talking about blinkers and pain.. Someone else is sprinkling this stuff throughout your pattern You don't understand a prey animal can smell things that you cannot?
wow.... ouch. A little harsh there. | |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 618
| How do YOU ride at bigger shows? Are YOU confident or do you feel anxious and maybe sending nervous vibes bc you're anticipating the behavior? Do you have a death grip on your reins, are your shoulders tense? REALLY think about it. I'm guilty of riding my horse differently in certain situations and have learned to really just sit down and relax and he will follow. If he starts getting anxious I quietly start making him move his feet until he sighs. I realize you have a looker but during your exhibition just walk and trot, let her look. Maybe don't run her for awhile. Build her confidence and yours! | |
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 Saint Stacey
| komet. - 2015-11-17 10:19 PM
Nope!! I don't even know where to start.... It's all about trust.....
doglady here on BHW has a gelding she runs indoors with blinkers. I'd LOVE to hear you tell her it's all about trust, lol!
I had a gelding I used them on once. He trusted me. He simply liked to turn too much and kept dragging barrels down. The blinkers solved the problem because he had to listen to ME and wait for ME to tell him when and where to turn.
My daughters goat horse was dead broke. We used blinjers in her to keep her running straight when she decided it would be fun to swap back to the right as soon as my daughter's feet hit the ground.
Blinkers are not a band aid. They are simply a tool that gives the rider in upper hand when it comes to the horses focus.
While BHW gives some GREAT advice.... the "all natural, wet saddle blanket" advice everyone preached is probably the downfall and undoing of a LOT of horses because people are afraid to use the tools that are out there because many people on BHW sat it's wrong.
Edited by SKM 2015-11-18 6:56 AM
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Member
Posts: 14
| Thank you for everyone's input, nice or not LOL.
I am going to go ahead and try them.
For more backstory on some other questions above, here it is.
This horse has been a looker since the day i got her. I have to push her past every barrel if they are by the fence line because of people, photographers, etc. I've learned to work through it and we can make some decent runs.
Now, take her to a rodeo arena and it's a whole different story. As soon as she sees the chutes, the crowd, the signs, she starts to shake and get really nervous. We thought it was the noise, so we tried ear plugs which did calm her down some, but she still couldn't focus in on the task at hand, knocking barrels over or coming to a dead stop by the chutes, etc.
As I stated above, we usually go and exhibition and do not enter. Our exhibition run is always a mess no matter what speed we go, and some small rodeos even let me ride in the arena if I get there early, and I do. But, as soon as it comes to etiher our run or exhibition (we leave the arena and come back), the objects are scary all over again. These sights are not new to her, she has been hauled time and time again.
And yes, I do ride a little nervous at bigger shows, but the frustrating part is that she does this in exhibition as well where I have my cool, and also at rodeos im not even competing in. I know it's her personality, she can spot a plastic bag in the wind from a mile away and freak out compared to other horses who just watch it for second and then move right along.
Let me also add that this horse is cutting/ranch bred top and bottom, hasn't ever had formal training in cutting but has pushed cows here and there. I'm sure her breeding has to do with her being so looky.
Edited by JoseyJoe 2015-11-18 7:03 AM
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 Namesless in BHW
Posts: 10368
Location: At the race track with Ah Dee Ohs | Blinkers are not a bad thing. We train race horses and I hate blinkers, that being said if the horse needs them, they need them. Blinkers will help a horse focus and keep them to the task at hand. I would start with a "french cup" and see what happens. | |
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Good Ole Boys just Fine with Me
Posts: 2869
Location: SE Missouri | JoseyJoe - 2015-11-18 6:54 AM
Thank you for everyone's input, nice or not LOL.
I am going to go ahead and try them.
For more backstory on some other questions above, here it is.
This horse has been a looker since the day i got her. I have to push her past every barrel if they are by the fence line because of people, photographers, etc. I've learned to work through it and we can make some decent runs.
Now, take her to a rodeo arena and it's a whole different story. As soon as she sees the chutes, the crowd, the signs, she starts to shake and get really nervous. We thought it was the noise, so we tried ear plugs which did calm her down some, but she still couldn't focus in on the task at hand, knocking barrels over or coming to a dead stop by the chutes, etc.
As I stated above, we usually go and exhibition and do not enter. Our exhibition run is always a mess no matter what speed we go, and some small rodeos even let me ride in the arena if I get there early, and I do. But, as soon as it comes to etiher our run or exhibition (we leave the arena and come back), the objects are scary all over again. These sights are not new to her, she has been hauled time and time again.
And yes, I do ride a little nervous at bigger shows, but the frustrating part is that she does this in exhibition as well where I have my cool, and also at rodeos im not even competing in. I know it's her personality, she can spot a plastic bag in the wind from a mile away and freak out compared to other horses who just watch it for second and then move right along.
Let me also add that this horse is cutting/ranch bred top and bottom, hasn't ever had formal training in cutting but has pushed cows here and there. I'm sure her breeding has to do with her being so looky.
Maybe rodeos are just too much for her. Not every horse can rodeo and that's ok. I think it's best to set her (and you) up for success so neither of you dread it. Don't even worry about the rodeos until she gets some confidence at barrel races. There's nothing wrong with sticking to one atmosphere (small to medium barrel races) and then gradually building on that.
Does she run completely consistent at the smaller races? If she runs quite a bit faster in the open vrs the adult (if you are in an area that has multiple classes) then she might be showing you she's just not there yet. Or another guage would be if you do trainers and she gets consistently faster (if you are loping/crusing through). (I'm not a huge fan of multiple training/exhibitions BUT it can be a very useful tool to work out some details)
My gelding typically fires harder the second run (lots of mental baggage and he's very seasoned) b/c of his confidence. Here lately he's been within a few thousandths of a second difference. For him that means he's getting more confidence and making the same trip. | |
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| abrooks - 2015-11-18 9:05 AM
Maybe rodeos are just too much for her. Not every horse can rodeo and that's ok. I think it's best to set her (and you) up for success so neither of you dread it. Don't even worry about the rodeos until she gets some confidence at barrel races. There's nothing wrong with sticking to one atmosphere (small to medium barrel races) and then gradually building on that.
Does she run completely consistent at the smaller races? If she runs quite a bit faster in the open vrs the adult (if you are in an area that has multiple classes) then she might be showing you she's just not there yet. Or another guage would be if you do trainers and she gets consistently faster (if you are loping/crusing through). (I'm not a huge fan of multiple training/exhibitions BUT it can be a very useful tool to work out some details)
My gelding typically fires harder the second run (lots of mental baggage and he's very seasoned) b/c of his confidence. Here lately he's been within a few thousandths of a second difference. For him that means he's getting more confidence and making the same trip.
I have come to that conclusion, she isn't a rodeo horse..
But I don't think she should be scared of it so I continue to take her to them to season her.
My biggest problem is that I hate that it affects when I go to a barrel race. I hate having to second guess if I should even go to a barrel race in a new arena I have never been to because it may have chutes and signs.
Last show I went to was held in a rodeo arena, but was an NBHA show. No music playing, no bulls, just a regular race. There were signs and chutes and flags, so we broke the pattern because she veered away from the fence line. Our state show was also a disaster as soon as she saw the chutes by the second barrel. She came to a dead stop and turned right into the barrel. I have learned to push her past them and work with her, but this has been an ongoing battle for years and with all the places she's been to it's about time she gets over it. | |
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 Hog Tie My Mojo
Posts: 4847
Location: Opelousas, LA | Not saying not to try the blinkers, just be careful when you are in a crowded area because it really does take away a big portion of their vision. Have you considered Reserpine? I know some people don't like to use drugs but this is a very good option to temper the fight or flight impulse. I have had good luck using it on horses that were just super flighty and scared of everything, after about six months you can wean them off of it. | |
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Member
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| Barnmom - 2015-11-18 9:46 AM
Not saying not to try the blinkers, just be careful when you are in a crowded area because it really does take away a big portion of their vision. Have you considered Reserpine? I know some people don't like to use drugs but this is a very good option to temper the fight or flight impulse. I have had good luck using it on horses that were just super flighty and scared of everything, after about six months you can wean them off of it.
I am open to trying anything at this point. I've had this horse for awhile and I want it to work out as she has shown me she is capable of running with some of the best horses and riders in my state. I was also told to try guanabenz but I will look into reserpine! Thank you!
Edited by JoseyJoe 2015-11-18 8:55 AM
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 A Somebody to Everybody
Posts: 41354
Location: Under The Big Sky Of Texas | How was she with the last owner when she ran her? How did she do while being trained for barrels? I do know of a few horses that did not make a rodeo horse but did great at the 5 d's show, rodeo's just have so much going on. Be very careful if you do put blinkers on her, if shes this way now I think shes going to panic. Had a friend that tryed blinkers on her mare and the mare painc coming out of the second barrel and ran into the back fence.
Have you ever had her eye sight ckecked? Just to rule out any problems with her eyes. | |
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Expert
Posts: 4121
Location: SE Louisiana | Barnmom - 2015-11-18 8:46 AM Not saying not to try the blinkers, just be careful when you are in a crowded area because it really does take away a big portion of their vision. Have you considered Reserpine? I know some people don't like to use drugs but this is a very good option to temper the fight or flight impulse. I have had good luck using it on horses that were just super flighty and scared of everything, after about six months you can wean them off of it.
Yes. I was harsh. I'm not sure how to say this. Horses are inherently dangerous. God made things that eat meat at the same time She made things that ARE meat. Because of instinct, horses Know they ARE meat and there are lots of things in the world that like to eat horses...
People need to understand these facts. I LOVE people that say they have a "bomb-proof horse"... It's bomb-proof right up to the point when a bear walks out of the tree-line or it smells a large cat. (or it sees something else that might eat a horse) | |
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