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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 889
  
| So, over the passed 60 days I have entered quite a few large barrel races (300+ entries) in the Midwest. And you know what stands out to me at all these barrel races? The one thing that sticks in my mind? The large number of teenage girls who cannot actually ride a horse. From the warm up pen to the barrel pen, they are literal train wrecks. It's easy for me to put my judgmental hat on but I'll be the first to admit I am not perfect but I choose to learn and improve every day, which is where I think the disconnect lies.
Every little girl wants to be a barrel racer and I want to support them in doing so, but I feel there is more to it than putting a teenager on a fast horse and telling them to hang on as they bounce and fling and jerk and kick and pull and whip. What happened to learning to ride? What happened to basic horsemanship skills? What happened to technique and honing your craft? I mean how about we not pay $500 for that tack set or $3000 for that saddle and spend that money on lessons? I guess, my whole point is, do they know how much better they could be? Do they not want to be better? And before you say it...I will...Why don't I (we) try to help them? Yeah...I'll say it now...I've said it before...you cannot teach someone who doesn't want to learn and from experience most teenage girls are experts. So, I guess that's my frustration because to me being a "barrel racer" is more than just that; we're students and trainers, cheerleaders and activists, therapists and strategist...I just don't know why people don't want to be better. |
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 Veteran
Posts: 129
Location: South | I think the kids you are talking about don't know any better,neither do their parents. I wasn't raised this way but know many who were. Parents were financially able to buy them whatever they wanted (tack, horses, saddle, trailer, etc). My parents wasn't financially able to do that- I trained my own horses from the start. Also when I would get into a rut training a young horse I wouldn't hesitate to go and ask someone who I trusted their thoughts to help me out. I think about those memories often and how much they helped me become a better rider. Plus how much it matured me as a person. Plus many parents and kids just want to WIN- they don't want to go through the blood, sweat, and tears it takes to get that young horse to be that consistent good mount years later. They want everything right now. Not tomorrow- today. To me their is so much more beauty to barrel racing than that, but that is just my two sense.
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 788
| I do agree with you, it is sad. but for the most part, these kids are simply doing what their parents have taught them. Even if they wanted to get better, they cant do it without their parents support and most of them dont know any better. I think we have a parent problem more than a teenager/kid problem. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 889
| trobertson - 2016-05-31 3:12 PM
I think the kids you are talking about don't know any better,neither do their parents. I wasn't raised this way but know many who were. Parents were financially able to buy them whatever they wanted (tack, horses, saddle, trailer, etc). My parents wasn't financially able to do that- I trained my own horses from the start. Also when I would get into a rut training a young horse I wouldn't hesitate to go and ask someone who I trusted their thoughts to help me out. I think about those memories often and how much they helped me become a better rider. Plus how much it matured me as a person. Plus many parents and kids just want to WIN- they don't want to go through the blood, sweat, and tears it takes to get that young horse to be that consistent good mount years later. They want everything right now. Not tomorrow- today. To me their is so much more beauty to barrel racing than that, but that is just my two sense.
I was raised much like you...and I totally agree with what you're saying. I shouldn't let them bother me...but it does. LOL. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 889
| horsiace1025 - 2016-05-31 3:13 PM
I do agree with you, it is sad. but for the most part, these kids are simply doing what their parents have taught them. Even if they wanted to get better, they cant do it without their parents support and most of them dont know any better. I think we have a parent problem more than a teenager/kid problem.
Yes, I do believe it is also a parent problem, for sure. |
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Veteran
Posts: 129
Location: South | RedHead84 - 2016-05-31 3:16 PM
trobertson - 2016-05-31 3:12 PM
I think the kids you are talking about don't know any better,neither do their parents. I wasn't raised this way but know many who were. Parents were financially able to buy them whatever they wanted (tack, horses, saddle, trailer, etc). My parents wasn't financially able to do that- I trained my own horses from the start. Also when I would get into a rut training a young horse I wouldn't hesitate to go and ask someone who I trusted their thoughts to help me out. I think about those memories often and how much they helped me become a better rider. Plus how much it matured me as a person. Plus many parents and kids just want to WIN- they don't want to go through the blood, sweat, and tears it takes to get that young horse to be that consistent good mount years later. They want everything right now. Not tomorrow- today. To me their is so much more beauty to barrel racing than that, but that is just my two sense.
I was raised much like you...and I totally agree with what you're saying. I shouldn't let them bother me...but it does. LOL.
Oh it bothers me too! But when I see these kids I'm reminded of how thankful I am for good parents. :) |
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 Coyote Country Queen
Posts: 5666
| There isn't just one type of uneducated rider. There are those who don't know any better, those whose parents aren't willing or able to get their kids help, and those that think they know everything and won't accept help or constructive criticism. And don't think it's limited to the kids, or just barrel racers for that matter! It does bother me when I see someone struggling and I know that with just a little help they would get along so much better. But I've learned that you're pretty much wasting your breath until they decide they want to be better and seek out help. So I focus on bettering myself and my kids. |
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 Extreme Veteran
Posts: 425
Location: California | I think some kids just don't get it. Or they think they don't need improvement. Especially if they do have a nice fast horse & win, then to them, why improve?
I gave lessons for a hot minute, and one little girl just would not relax. She didn't understand that she had to learn to walk before run. That girl would rather bite the dust a thousand times than learn to balance. |
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 Cute Little Imp
Posts: 2747
Location: N Texas | There's really a number of things that cause this:
1) Child decides they want to barrel race, clueless parents assume all you have to do is buy a fancy horse and tack and you're good to go (how hard can it be???)
2) Child is used to getting everything they want NOW without having to start at the bottom and work their way up, and think they're the best at everything
3) Parents can't stand to let their kids be less than the best or fail, so buy the fastest horse they can and try to win at all costs with no concern for proper riding (as long as you're winning, that's all that matters!!!)
4) Parents actually do want their kids to learn, but their kid is a know-it-all and doesn't need any help
5) A kid with little-to-no horse experience was invited to come ride with their barrel racer friend (Hey, I have a horse you can ride, all you have to do is hang on!)
6) Some parents and kids are doing the best they can and are trying to learn, but aren't quite to there yet, or just genuinely don't know they're doing anything wrong
7) No matter how many hours they spend in the saddle, they'll never be a good rider
Edited by Gunner11 2016-05-31 3:46 PM
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 Expert
Posts: 4121
Location: SE Louisiana | I dunno.... I never really learned proper equestrian-ship... What I did learn is that horses are inherently dangerous animals... I was about 12 years old when I got my 1st horse.... She was 1/2 QH and 1/2 Appy... I saddled her up one day and climbed on..... and she took off!!! Dead run!!! She drew a bead on a Walnut tree and headed for it... Well.... I saw what was coming... There was a limb as thick as my leg that grew straight out 90 degrees from the trunk.....
This silly mare had to duck her head to get under it.... The limb cleared the horn by about 2 inches..... SWEPT me right off the saddle!!!
I saw it coming so I had kicked loose and was ready for it... No broken bones..... But I've never trusted a horse since....  |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 725
| I am a teenaged rider, but I was taught correctly and ride my horses to the best of my ability, I don't whip, and my runs are controlled and I let my horses work. From my experience as I run with these type of girls every rodeo, they cut corners, and honestly don't care. As long as they're fast, they don't care if they're jerking their horses face, spurring them bloody, and it looks like a train wreck. It makes me feel bad for the horses that have no idea what is going on as they're running to each barrel being spurred and whipped and then they get their face jerked around. |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 929
| IowaCanChaser - 2016-05-31 2:24 PM
I am a teenaged rider, but I was taught correctly and ride my horses to the best of my ability, I don't whip, and my runs are controlled and I let my horses work. From my experience as I run with these type of girls every rodeo, they cut corners, and honestly don't care. As long as they're fast, they don't care if they're jerking their horses face, spurring them bloody, and it looks like a train wreck. It makes me feel bad for the horses that have no idea what is going on as they're running to each barrel being spurred and whipped and then they get their face jerked around.
and every year these same girls end up having to get a new horse at the end of the season because there is "something wrong with them." My daughter is like you...and while it drives her NUTS that I wouldn't let her run full bore until she knew her basics, she is the better rider for it and can now buy the "ruined" horses dirt cheap and run them. *That* makes me proud. Not money and buckles and trophies...but that my daughter (even with our limited finances) is becoming a "handy rider" and can problem solve a horse. |
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Expert
Posts: 1695
Location: Willows, CA | I spent the holiday weekend at Sherry Cervi's West Coast Youth Championship. A great event, by the way. I watchrd every kind of horsemanship over 400 entries that there is. In the end, the good riders were the fast riders. Some of the girls looked like they were in survival mode, and some were poetry, so I don't think we can paint them all with the same brush. As someone who would be honored to be thought of as a horseman, I wish there was a way to get through to some people about the relationship between horse and rider. None of the horses being ridden with such little consideration should have to go through that. My two daughters were blessed to grow up riding with Ray Hunt and Tom Dorrance. It still stops me in my tracks to watch them ride. |
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  Witty Enough
Posts: 2954
Location: CTX | I hear ya! I am by now means a great barrel racer, but 30+ years of English taught me a thing or two...
I see it all around, most kids (and parents) want the quick fix, so mom and dad get a nice horse and they go to town, first couple of runs are nice, but then it starts to fall apart, because those nice horses can't run while they are being kicked forward, yanked in the mouth and have the kids flopping around like monkeys on their backs....
What also gets me big time is that I see them post runs on fb and everybody raves about it and tells the kids they are oh so talented and great riders... really.... what happened to being honest and telling the kids what they need to work on....
I keep telling myself "not my circus, not my monkeys" but I do cringe every time I see it happen... Some very nice horses are being blown up because of this....
Edited by cranky B4 10am 2016-05-31 5:27 PM
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Expert
Posts: 4121
Location: SE Louisiana | RodeoCowgirl4u - 2016-05-31 4:30 PM
IowaCanChaser - 2016-05-31 2:24 PM
I am a teenaged rider, but I was taught correctly and ride my horses to the best of my ability, I don't whip, and my runs are controlled and I let my horses work. From my experience as I run with these type of girls every rodeo, they cut corners, and honestly don't care. As long as they're fast, they don't care if they're jerking their horses face, spurring them bloody, and it looks like a train wreck. It makes me feel bad for the horses that have no idea what is going on as they're running to each barrel being spurred and whipped and then they get their face jerked around.
and every year these same girls end up having to get a new horse at the end of the season because there is "something wrong with them." My daughter is like you...and while it drives her NUTS that I wouldn't let her run full bore until she knew her basics, she is the better rider for it and can now buy the "ruined" horses dirt cheap and run them. *That* makes me proud. Not money and buckles and trophies...but that my daughter (even with our limited finances ) is becoming a "handy rider" and can problem solve a horse.
Just from observation.... I find that a lot of horses won't run 'full bore.' with a rider that can't deal with it... And it's not just kids!!! I've seen full grown adults that didn't know crap about riding a horse... Kicking, whipping and screaming for more speed and the horse was like.... (in your dreams)
This is one of the things that makes a good kid horse...  |
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 pressure dripper
Posts: 8699
Location: the end of the rainbow | It doesn't always go away once they grow up either. There is a local gal who is in her early 20s now. She's a heck of a jockey & can sit a fast horse. But her horsemanship skills in general are seriously lacking. She has set herself up as a trainer and people are now paying her to ruin their horses. I try not to be judgmental and I do like this girl personally but the whole situation and often watching her work horses or give some poor kid a lesson just makes me sad sometimes. |
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 Georgia Peach
Posts: 8338
Location: Georgia |
Oh gosh tell me about it. I think it all goes back to foundation, much like you guys were saying. Some people buy their kids fast horses and the kid just holds on. There is no real skill there and how would they possibly develop any skills that way? My mom bought me lessons for two years (I assume to judge if it was a horse crazy phase) and then she bought some trail horses. I soon after decided barrel racing was for me and she told me "If you want a barrel horse, you better make you one". So I did just that and I was thrilled to be doing so. My trail horses rocked it! Obviously I'm past the trail horse stage now but I truly do think those horses taught me more than any "made-barrel horse" would have. Point is, I just think those who have had to work for it are more motivated to become better. They actually want to learn and become more skilled riders. But we also need to remember that everybody has to start somewhere. I have watched some of my old barrel racing videos and they werent always so pretty... |
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Gettin Jiggy Wit It
Posts: 2734
| Do you want to know what I think is ridiculous is the 80,000 dollar trailers and 50,000 dollar trucks and then the people that own them don't spend the same money on riding lessons... oh their poor horses. I just don't understand...
Edited by WetSaddleBlankets 2016-05-31 8:43 PM
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 Expert
Posts: 1631
Location: Somewhere around here | Runninbay - 2016-05-31 6:05 PM
Oh gosh tell me about it. I think it all goes back to foundation, much like you guys were saying. Some people buy their kids fast horses and the kid just holds on. There is no real skill there and how would they possibly develop any skills that way? My mom bought me lessons for two years (I assume to judge if it was a horse crazy phase) and then she bought some trail horses. I soon after decided barrel racing was for me and she told me "If you want a barrel horse, you better make you one". So I did just that and I was thrilled to be doing so. My trail horses rocked it! Obviously I'm past the trail horse stage now but I truly do think those horses taught me more than any "made-barrel horse" would have. Point is, I just think those who have had to work for it are more motivated to become better. They actually want to learn and become more skilled riders. But we also need to remember that everybody has to start somewhere. I have watched some of my old barrel racing videos and they werent always so pretty...
Completely agree with this! I had English riding lessons on and off for a few years before me parents surprised me with my first horse when I was 12 and a half. She has skinny, hyper, had a tumor on her tail, and the poor thing needed some sweet love. My parents (to this day) don't know much about horses and they'd probably never even glanced at her if they did know a thing or two BUT she was perfect for me. I had to learn everything with her and she became my first barrel horse. After a while I was even able to re-train some of the bad habits out of her; prancing every trail ride, high head all the time, wasn't collected, and so on. I only had her for 4.5 years but she was amazing and she passed away in our care. That old ugly horse that no one wanted made me the woman and horse rider and trainer that I am today.
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 The Vaccinator
Posts: 3810
Location: Slipping down the slope of old age. Boo hoo. | The first time I attended a 4D race to watch -- I was horrified to see so many folks flop and jerk and slip and slide all over their horses. Many runs I thought "she is going to die". As in any sport, the better physical shape you are in and the more well trained you are the higher your success level. There are certainly some great riders out there, but many folks need to take a step back to basic riding lessons. |
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