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 Veteran
Posts: 288
 
| So I haven't ran barrels in 3 years. A couple serious wrecks, retired my unicorn and just plain burnt out and sick of b!tchy, catty, barrel racers. I've gone to one race in 3 years and it was just to make a video to sell one of our old kids horses. I think our time was a 22 or something on a standard and that was pushing her nonstop. Had her forever and trusted her.
Fast forward and I have regained the desire to go to the 4D's. I'm actually really excited. Been riding my daughters old dragon that she's ridden since she was 9. He's a free runner, still acts like he's on the track, bucks and is a general D!CK. But he's safe. Doesn't sound like it but he is. His antics are all for show and he can handle any ground. One of my bad wrecks was a slip on bad Ground so I appreciate that about him.
NOW THE PROBLEM. I am completely 100% through and through petrified to run him. It's not him, it would be any REAL barrel horse. I feel like I'm relearning and I've literally done this my whole life. I entered a race to get an idea of where I was at last night and it was a train wreck express, hahaha. I almost made myself sick with anxiety.
Sooooo I made my run, and felt good that I did it and it was a mess but nothing unsafe so that really helped me mentally. BUT I am just not confident AT ALL. How do I fix this?? What do you guys do to get through it and fix the anxiety problem?
Also, another major problem is my fitness. I am WEAK. I do cardio, actually jogging a couple times a week. But I'm just not strong. So around the 3rd, when he powered out I literally almost went over the back of the saddle hahaha. My core is weak and I did not have the arm strength to pull myself back in with the horn like I should have. So I need strengthening ideas. Yes I'm overweight and working on that but the real problem is my lack of strength.
Tips would be so helpful. Thanks for reading my novel, lol. |
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The Advice Guru
Posts: 6419
 
| Keep going practice makes perfect
For core strength planking |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 678
Location: Canada | Book a session with a good personal trainer. A good trainer can show you simple techniques you can do at home that don't require a gym membership or a lot of time to help build your core, arm and leg strength. Something as simple as how to push a phone book back and forth across a floor for inner leg strength and core strengthening.
As for the confidence. Start small. Make a plan to go to a race and trot a PERFECT pattern. Keep doing that until you are comfortable, then slow lope a perfect pattern. Once your comfortable there add a little more speed.
I coach a lot of students and I'd much rather see a slower perfect pattern then a fast out of control pattern. Speed is easy once the pattern is consistent and perfect.
Work on making it slow and perfect every time out and slowly add speed. You'll be amazed at how much better and faster you get when you stop worrying about speed and me the focus on being consistent and perfect.
Good for you for getting back out there and best of luck. |
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Veteran
Posts: 288
| Well the thing is that practice is fine. I mean I don't really practice at speed, just slow conditioning and some drills but this horse is finished and older so I don't wanna work his guts out. He doesn't need it. I do, but he doesn't lol.
The problem is specifically at competitions. I was starting to have problems before I took my hiatus, but didn't think about it to much and then stopped competing anyways so it didn't matter aND now it's worse. Has anyone tried meditation, lol? I'm seriously open to any tips to help the mental part. I've barrel raced my whole life, it's like being afraid to breath!
And physically, I hear planking is super but what kind of arm stuff is good? And other strengthening stuff. |
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Regular
Posts: 99
| You're not the only one whose been through this. I needed a break from competition and hung it up for 3 years. I'm on the road to getting in shape. So both me and my horse are work out team members needing to get back in shape. It takes a horse approximately 6 weeks to start getting in shape and I figure it'll take me 8 weeks to be ready to start going around barrels again. Good luck and be positive.  |
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Veteran
Posts: 288
| RunNitroRun - 2016-02-18 7:27 PM
Book a session with a good personal trainer. A good trainer can show you simple techniques you can do at home that don't require a gym membership or a lot of time to help build your core, arm and leg strength. Something as simple as how to push a phone book back and forth across a floor for inner leg strength and core strengthening.
As for the confidence. Start small. Make a plan to go to a race and trot a PERFECT pattern. Keep doing that until you are comfortable, then slow lope a perfect pattern. Once your comfortable there add a little more speed.
I coach a lot of students and I'd much rather see a slower perfect pattern then a fast out of control pattern. Speed is easy once the pattern is consistent and perfect.
Work on making it slow and perfect every time out and slowly add speed. You'll be amazed at how much better and faster you get when you stop worrying about speed and me the focus on being consistent and perfect.
Good for you for getting back out there and best of luck.
I like it. That's the kind of stuff I'm looking for. Thank you! |
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Veteran
Posts: 288
| It's nice to hear I'm not alone. Luckily, I'm not super competitive. With myself yes, but I can go to a race and if I don't pull a check I don't beat myself up. I just wish I could enter the novice classes cause it's cheaper, hahaha. But me and the old man have both won to much to do that. I also have a young prospect that I think will help. Bringing her along slow will help build my strength and mentality back. I HOPE. |
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I just read the headlines
Posts: 4483
| wickedstepmother - 2016-02-18 9:28 PM
Well the thing is that practice is fine. I mean I don't really practice at speed, just slow conditioning and some drills but this horse is finished and older so I don't wanna work his guts out. He doesn't need it. I do, but he doesn't lol.
The problem is specifically at competitions. I was starting to have problems before I took my hiatus, but didn't think about it to much and then stopped competing anyways so it didn't matter aND now it's worse. Has anyone tried meditation, lol? I'm seriously open to any tips to help the mental part. I've barrel raced my whole life, it's like being afraid to breath!
And physically, I hear planking is super but what kind of arm stuff is good? And other strengthening stuff.
I never thought yoga helped arm/shoulder strength until I started doing it 3/4 times a week. Our instructor does lots of downward dog and planks and side planks, which I find murderous, and triangle poses. I have troublesome shoulders that are weak and my arm strength has never been great but without realizing it I have gained a lot of strength and balance just doing yoga. There are lots of yoga routines on YouTube, too. I even found a book with lots of routines for people with arthritis. |
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Veteran
Posts: 288
| That's awesome. I'll look into it cause that's part of my problem is pretty bad arthritis. Especially in my back. |
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I just read the headlines
Posts: 4483
| In the morning I'll find the book and author and post it here. |
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 Shelter Dog Lover
Posts: 10277
| wickedstepmother - 2016-02-18 9:30 PM RunNitroRun - 2016-02-18 7:27 PM Book a session with a good personal trainer. A good trainer can show you simple techniques you can do at home that don't require a gym membership or a lot of time to help build your core, arm and leg strength. Something as simple as how to push a phone book back and forth across a floor for inner leg strength and core strengthening. As for the confidence. Start small. Make a plan to go to a race and trot a PERFECT pattern. Keep doing that until you are comfortable, then slow lope a perfect pattern. Once your comfortable there add a little more speed. I coach a lot of students and I'd much rather see a slower perfect pattern then a fast out of control pattern. Speed is easy once the pattern is consistent and perfect. Work on making it slow and perfect every time out and slowly add speed. You'll be amazed at how much better and faster you get when you stop worrying about speed and me the focus on being consistent and perfect. Good for you for getting back out there and best of luck. I like it. That's the kind of stuff I'm looking for. Thank you!
I did not start running barrels till I was 48, I am now 55. I started on my girls high school rodeo horses. They were more then happy to take care of me and slow down but talk about inditmidating-my stomach would burn so bad before a run I wondered why I was doing this. I hit the gym, lost 30 pounds and gained a lot of strength, that helped me a lot lose the fear I was going to hit the ground. If I had one good barrel I was very happy. I built from there and am quite content to have nice smooth 3D runs. I work out at home, I do Cathe Frederich tapes. A personal trainer is a great idea. I hate tread mills, can't make myself jog but will work hard following a tape.My horses are finished, like you I had to learn when entering, I was not going to drill them just for me. It took a long time for me to get it but I had plenty of time :)
Edited by rodeomom3 2016-02-19 6:51 AM
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Sock Snob
Posts: 3021
| i would also find a person that teaches kids barrels and go to some shows and exhibition at a pace you feel comfortable, get someone to video you, go home watch it. trainers help people develope confidence as well as having a horse that is a teacher. and a few safe runs under your belt. |
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 Straight Shooter
Posts: 5725
Location: SW North Dakota | Several years ago, I had a supper scatty little mare that was really ratey. She chucked me into the dirt at the second barrel. It was late in the fall and I had decided to turn her out after that big weekend. Like a fool, I DID kick her out after that. I should have made a few more runs that winter to get it out of my head right away, but instead, I stewed and worried about it all winter. The next spring, I was SUCH a chickensheet. I slowed her down (because I was scared to fall off again), and made a month's worth of 3D and 4D runs. I just increased speed as I got comfortable- it probably took me 2 months to be back into 1D runs.
The moral of the story is that if barrel racing is your hobby, it should be fun! There is no timeline to getting your sea legs. If you like your gelding, just take it gradual. Work on yourself. I think it's pretty common that a rider needs more practice runs than the horse- but you're a team. If you need the runs, you have to take them in order to improve. If you want to save your horse a little, just work one barrel fast, then throttle back and lope or trot the rest of the pattern. Just keep plugging away at your own pace, and keep it fun. Getting rid of whatever pressure you feel should make it a lot easier!! :) GOOD LUCK!! |
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 Own It and Move On
Location: The edge of no where | Read Mind Gym and get to planking. |
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Expert
Posts: 1543
Location: MI | After having my kids, I was in the same boat. I have a now 5yo that I brought along that has restored my confidence greatly - he's not super super safe and steady, but we had excuses to go slow and work up over the past summer. I lowered my expectations to meet him where he was at, and can't wait for this year now! Just keep going, it gets better.
As for working out, I wish I could do more! I know my right side has been weak/off since having my kids; sit-ups, planks, and general awareness of my posture throughout the day really helps. I would run, if I had the time, there's a few people on here who take their horses running with them.
Have tons of fun! Nice job getting back to it so far! |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 915
Location: SE KS | wickedstepmother - 2016-02-18 9:28 PM
Well the thing is that practice is fine. I mean I don't really practice at speed, just slow conditioning and some drills but this horse is finished and older so I don't wanna work his guts out. He doesn't need it. I do, but he doesn't lol.
The problem is specifically at competitions. I was starting to have problems before I took my hiatus, but didn't think about it to much and then stopped competing anyways so it didn't matter aND now it's worse. Has anyone tried meditation, lol? I'm seriously open to any tips to help the mental part. I've barrel raced my whole life, it's like being afraid to breath!
And physically, I hear planking is super but what kind of arm stuff is good? And other strengthening stuff.
1 beer or such before the race usually helps me!!!!  |
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Veteran
Posts: 288
| lhighquality - 2016-02-19 7:20 AM
wickedstepmother - 2016-02-18 9:28 PM
Well the thing is that practice is fine. I mean I don't really practice at speed, just slow conditioning and some drills but this horse is finished and older so I don't wanna work his guts out. He doesn't need it. I do, but he doesn't lol.
The problem is specifically at competitions. I was starting to have problems before I took my hiatus, but didn't think about it to much and then stopped competing anyways so it didn't matter aND now it's worse. Has anyone tried meditation, lol? I'm seriously open to any tips to help the mental part. I've barrel raced my whole life, it's like being afraid to breath!
And physically, I hear planking is super but what kind of arm stuff is good? And other strengthening stuff.
1 beer or such before the race usually helps me!!!!
Ya I thought about it after I got there, lol. That and a valium ?? |
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They Don't Know Me
Posts: 3299
Location: Bastrop, TX | I have been out of competition for 4 yrs and just started back riding. Not competing yet. I have registered for the josey easter clinic. Over 20 years time I have gone to several clinics at joseys and they are the best I have found for building my confidence back up after each time that I have been out for a while.
I am 58 and not in as good of shape as I once was but slowing getting there. At Joseys I know I can go at my own pace on Friday and come Sunday I will be runing again. |
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The Advice Guru
Posts: 6419
| I know that Rivas Remedies has something barrel racers have taken to calm their nerves a few drops under the tongue for them helps to calm them, they swear by it. You can also use it on your horse |
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  Twin Sister to Queen Boobie
Posts: 13315
Location: East Tennessee but who knows?! | Planks are good, but kettle bells will bump it up a LOT. There's one exercise in particular where you're in plank position (extended arm) , and you pull up a weight-- plank with a one arm press. Best exercise in the world, IMO.
Getting strong automatically boosts confidence.
As far as mental part of it, look at what you're eating & drinking. People discount the effect that food has on our brains. I have tried it all - drinks, etc. What works for me better than anything is eating protein all day, and especially turkey right before a run. Steer clear of the fruit & carbs - maybe have a green smoothie first thing in the morning, but protein the rest of the day. Lots of water, but no Gatorade or soda. I think SO much clearer and I don't get as nervous. |
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