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Veteran
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| Okay this was my first barrel race all year, (I know a little late), but I have taken most of the summer to just ride my horse and do ranch work. So, I started casually working some drills less than a month before our first race this year, this isn't her first time competing though! So please help me out, after running I decided I need to keep working her off the pattern so we both get more comfortable and polished.
I want to add that I know my first barrel was hideous. She has ALWAYS cut off her pocket so bad on the first barrel and I was trying to bump the inside rein so she would move her shoulder over. Didn't work out quite like I planned though, and I should have kept my hand off the horn and pushed her forward more. Any tips would be helpful! She is all cow bred and is all rate and turn, and she loves to crowd the barrels.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qgIBkd20MdY&t=1232s
19:45 - Buckskin horse |
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 Take a Picture
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| There were several buckskins so I didn't know which one you meant. Don't they ever put any water on that arena? That was terrible. That is what we ran in 40 years ago around here. Our Lowes carries all kinds of sprinklers. Even my trainer keeps her arena watered. |
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Veteran
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| The buckskin right after the rider at 19:45! This was the first time I have ran at that arena so I have no idea if the water it, they didn't that night! When we ran back from third barrel, you went right through your own dust trail when going home |
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 A Somebody to Everybody
Posts: 41354
Location: Under The Big Sky Of Texas | streakysox - 2017-08-04 10:51 PM
There were several buckskins so I didn't know which one you meant. Don't they ever put any water on that arena? That was terrible. That is what we ran in 40 years ago around here. Our Lowes carries all kinds of sprinklers. Even my trainer keeps her arena watered.
LOL, that remined me of our barrel racing days when I lived in the Valley super dusty, I would be blowing my nose and mud balls would come out..LOL..Awe the good ole days..
OP I dont know which one is you, what are you wearing? |
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A Somebody to Everybody
Posts: 41354
Location: Under The Big Sky Of Texas | If your wearing a dark shirt with a red brim cap, Your horse looks very green and needs to be taking alot slower for a long time to learn the basic's of barrels. I would go to a few clinic's to help you out along with your mare. By the way shes super cute.  |
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Veteran
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| streakysox - 2017-08-04 10:51 PM
There were several buckskins so I didn't know which one you meant. Don't they ever put any water on that arena? That was terrible. That is what we ran in 40 years ago around here. Our Lowes carries all kinds of sprinklers. Even my trainer keeps her arena watered.
I am the rider right after the girl running at 19:45 in the video. Buckskin horse, I have a black shirt on and a red brimmed hat |
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Veteran
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| Southtxponygirl - 2017-08-04 11:16 PM
If your wearing a dark shirt with a red brim cap, Your horse looks very green and needs to be taking alot slower for a long time to learn the basic's of barrels. I would go to a few clinic's to help you out along with your mare. By the way shes super cute.
Yes! Black shirt with red brimmed cap is me! Okay, I agree I think I took it too fast with her on the pattern. I haven't competed all summer because I wanted to just sit and do slow work with her at home before competing, but I agree I need to slow it down at these races as well! Thank you! I will be searching for clinics to attend for sure! |
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Take a Picture
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| I think you need to go back to basics. Get your horse good and broke with control of shoulders and hips THEN start on the pattern. I will say this, I don't think you looked any worse than anyone else there. This was a gathering of not very broke horses. Find a good clinic and take everything in. I think you have a lot of potential but need to refine some things.
Josey's has a good video that is very helpful. Think it is called RUNNING TO WIN or something. Get it and watch it over and over. |
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| streakysox - 2017-08-05 1:56 AM
I think you need to go back to basics. Get your horse good and broke with control of shoulders and hips THEN start on the pattern. I will say this, I don't think you looked any worse than anyone else there. This was a gathering of not very broke horses. Find a good clinic and take everything in. I think you have a lot of potential but need to refine some things.
Josey's has a good video that is very helpful. Think it is called RUNNING TO WIN or something. Get it and watch it over and over.
Thank you for your honest opinion, I've never had anyone tell me I had potential before so I really appreciate it. I'll look into that video, I have some training DVDs on how to start and finish your horse that I think I need to start taking notes on too:) |
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Veteran
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| streakysox - 2017-08-05 1:56 AM
I think you need to go back to basics. Get your horse good and broke with control of shoulders and hips THEN start on the pattern. I will say this, I don't think you looked any worse than anyone else there. This was a gathering of not very broke horses. Find a good clinic and take everything in. I think you have a lot of potential but need to refine some things.
Josey's has a good video that is very helpful. Think it is called RUNNING TO WIN or something. Get it and watch it over and over.
I saw in a post not too long ago you felt so bad for a lady at a barrel race that was getting laughed at or made fun of. Pot calling the kettle black? |
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Take a Picture
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| Why did you have to use black? |
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A Somebody to Everybody
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Location: Under The Big Sky Of Texas | Prairie Rouge - 2017-08-04 11:23 PM Southtxponygirl - 2017-08-04 11:16 PM If your wearing a dark shirt with a red brim cap, Your horse looks very green and needs to be taking alot slower for a long time to learn the basic's of barrels. I would go to a few clinic's to help you out along with your mare. By the way shes super cute. Yes! Black shirt with red brimmed cap is me! Okay, I agree I think I took it too fast with her on the pattern. I haven't competed all summer because I wanted to just sit and do slow work with her at home before competing, but I agree I need to slow it down at these races as well! Thank you! I will be searching for clinics to attend for sure!
Going back to basic's would help you both out alot, I would just do slow exhibitions like just trotting and setting her at the barrels befor you ask for any kind of speed on her, shes is not really for any type of speed at all, glad to hear that your going to look into some clinic's. |
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 Total Germophobe
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Location: Montana | Personally this is what I saw (and I ride a ratey horse so I know): Your horse does look green...like she is kind of lost to 1st. Needs a little more slow-work/practice. Also,I would ride two handed into each of the barrels, your mare is ratey like you said, and if you ride her two handed you might have better luck,. Also, shorten your reins and I think that would help quite a few of the miss-ques. I would also try to go one more stride into each of the barrels, a lot of her rate, though, she is getting from you as I can see you start to slow down your body language into the barrels, but again goes back to 2 handed between barrels, if it were me I wouldn't drop to 1 hand until I was literally at the barrel starting to turn.. Also, JMHO, it looks like you need to maybe work on your balance.
This is just what I saw and would change/work on if it were me. I've been there, done that...and I've done a lot of the same moves I saw you do in the video just to keep barrels up because my mare is ratey and starts to turn too soon. |
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| mtcanchazer - 2017-08-06 1:05 PM
Personally this is what I saw (and I ride a ratey horse so I know): Your horse does look green...like she is kind of lost to 1st. Needs a little more slow-work/practice. Also,I would ride two handed into each of the barrels, your mare is ratey like you said, and if you ride her two handed you might have better luck,. Also, shorten your reins and I think that would help quite a few of the miss-ques. I would also try to go one more stride into each of the barrels, a lot of her rate, though, she is getting from you as I can see you start to slow down your body language into the barrels, but again goes back to 2 handed between barrels, if it were me I wouldn't drop to 1 hand until I was literally at the barrel starting to turn.. Also, JMHO, it looks like you need to maybe work on your balance.
This is just what I saw and would change/work on if it were me. I've been there, done that...and I've done a lot of the same moves I saw you do in the video just to keep barrels up because my mare is ratey and starts to turn too soon.
I try to ride two handed and then she starts to rate so hard and turn early so I grab the horn and slow down. Ugh what can I do to improve that and my balance, I think slow work and exhibitioning will help some so that I can focus on my body position rather than speed. |
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Veteran
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| Southtxponygirl - 2017-08-06 12:04 PM
Prairie Rouge - 2017-08-04 11:23 PM Southtxponygirl - 2017-08-04 11:16 PM If your wearing a dark shirt with a red brim cap, Your horse looks very green and needs to be taking alot slower for a long time to learn the basic's of barrels. I would go to a few clinic's to help you out along with your mare. By the way shes super cute. Yes! Black shirt with red brimmed cap is me! Okay, I agree I think I took it too fast with her on the pattern. I haven't competed all summer because I wanted to just sit and do slow work with her at home before competing, but I agree I need to slow it down at these races as well! Thank you! I will be searching for clinics to attend for sure!
I agree, I think both my horse and I need to focus on fine tuning and I need to fine tune my body positioning in slow work and exhibitions! |
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A Somebody to Everybody
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Location: Under The Big Sky Of Texas | Prairie Rouge - 2017-08-06 10:23 PM Southtxponygirl - 2017-08-06 12:04 PM Prairie Rouge - 2017-08-04 11:23 PM Southtxponygirl - 2017-08-04 11:16 PM If your wearing a dark shirt with a red brim cap, Your horse looks very green and needs to be taking alot slower for a long time to learn the basic's of barrels. I would go to a few clinic's to help you out along with your mare. By the way shes super cute. Yes! Black shirt with red brimmed cap is me! Okay, I agree I think I took it too fast with her on the pattern. I haven't competed all summer because I wanted to just sit and do slow work with her at home before competing, but I agree I need to slow it down at these races as well! Thank you! I will be searching for clinics to attend for sure! I agree, I think both my horse and I need to focus on fine tuning and I need to fine tune my body positioning in slow work and exhibitions!
I love the fact that you want to do the best you can for you and your mare, your awesome |
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 Quarter Horse HIstorian
Posts: 2878
Location: Aubrey, Texas | One thing that you can do that will really help you with balance and body position is very simple: pony another horse. A lot. At all three gaits. In an arena, a pasture (but not down the road!) Your upper half and your lower half will learn to work independently of each other- your lower half is in charge of keeping you in the saddle and going at the speed you want, while your upper half is concerned with steering your horse while simultaneously managing another horse. You'll also learn to use your legs to move your horse's body. It's not as sexy as working barrel drills but you and your horse will benefit from it immensely. The horse won't get soured on barrels and you will gain skill and confidence.  And yes, kudos to you for wanting to improve!
Edited by cloverleaf 2017-08-06 10:57 PM
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| cloverleaf - 2017-08-06 10:54 PM
One thing that you can do that will really help you with balance and body position is very simple: pony another horse. A lot. At all three gaits. In an arena, a pasture (but not down the road! ) Your upper half and your lower half will learn to work independently of each other- your lower half is in charge of keeping you in the saddle and going at the speed you want, while your upper half is concerned with steering your horse while simultaneously managing another horse. You'll also learn to use your legs to move your horse's body. It's not as sexy as working barrel drills but you and your horse will benefit from it immensely. The horse won't get soured on barrels and you will gain skill and confidence. And yes, kudos to you for wanting to improve!
I'll have to try that! lol I'm sure I don't look sexy working barrel drills anyways so I have nothing to lose!!! http://forums.barrelhorseworld.com/forum/images/emoticons/n3.gif |
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Quarter Horse HIstorian
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Location: Aubrey, Texas | LOL, that's another advantage. There's no pressure to look good or "do it right." As long as all parties are right side up and connected, you're doing good! Besides, you can exercise two horses in the time it takes to work one. Have fun and keep us posted with your progress!!! |
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 Not Afraid to Work
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| I personally suggest taking some lessons, maybe even some English lessons to help with balance. It will be difficult for your horse to turn if your balance is off and especially for a young one.
Kudos to you for wanting to get better, brave of your to come on here!!  |
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