|
|
 Expert
Posts: 1343
  
Location: Oklahoma | I understand with specialized breeding that barrel horses are faster today, than say 15 to 20 years ago. But I have heard it said that the 1D horses of 15-20 years ago would be 3D or 4D horses today, which I vehemently deny. What do you think? |
|
| |
|
 Expert
Posts: 5290
| They are not really faster , there are just more horses that would be 1D horses. My mom went to the NFR In the 1960s, 70s,80s. The horses she ran frequently ran low 17 second runs on a WPRA standard pattern. A low 17 is still a tough run today. There are just more horses running those times now. Lol |
|
| |
|
I just read the headlines
Posts: 4483
| Horses today generally have a lot better ground to run on, too. |
|
| |
|
Expert
Posts: 2121
Location: The Great Northwest | The timing equipment is more efficient today too! |
|
| |
|
Good Ole Boys just Fine with Me
Posts: 2869
Location: SE Missouri | I think that the very top tier are faster. The next tier, thanks to advancements in breeding and people understanding and learning better techniques, have higher numbers.
That’s just my two cents which won’t get ya much, lol. |
|
| |
|
Miracle in the Making
Posts: 4013
| ground and better understanding of feed better shoing better may not be the best word but yiu get my drift |
|
| |
|
Married to a Louie Lover
Posts: 3303
| I think because of breeding, feed, shoeing, ground etc there there Te more fast horses who are consistently fast. |
|
| |
|
Gettin Jiggy Wit It
Posts: 2734
| OhMax - 2018-12-25 11:05 AM
I think because of breeding, feed, shoeing, ground etc there there Te more fast horses who are consistently fast.
 And vetting options... |
|
| |
|
 Extreme Veteran
Posts: 306
| Arena record at the NFR says something for today's horses....
|
|
| |
|
 Reaching for the stars....
Posts: 12704
| Maybe also that today we can choose the horse for the type of ground we will be running on most, i.e., rodeo horses don't always do great on the same ground as the big 4/5D super shows. Rodeo horses are almost a breed apart in that they have to stand up on any ground and thrive on atmospheres that would drive the more sensitive big show horses crazy. Big show horses have scary fast speed through the pattern but can't always do those big moves in bad ground. |
|
| |
|
Gettin Jiggy Wit It
Posts: 2734
| Flashin The County - 2018-12-25 12:59 PM
Arena record at the NFR says something for today's horses....
 the debate about the arena record at the NFR is tough because yes the horses and riders are amazing but the pattern size and ground is slightly different from year to year. To many different variables IMO for that pen... Now go to an arena that always has the same ground and lasers for barrel markers, then an arena record becomes truly relevant. |
|
| |
|
 Take a Picture
Posts: 12838
| Considering that there are different arenas and the timer may be set in different places for different races there isn’t much of a way to judge. Many of the arenas that are used today were not around 10 years ago and many of the old arenas aren’t used much any more. Josey’s does not have the same dirt as years ago. Now it is artificial. I have no idea how you get fake dirt. One arena around here is way faster after 300-400 people run. I have a friend that used to enter late and then ride her horse to the arena to run late at night. Since she was usually in the top 3, I would say she had it figured out. I will say that people have become more aware of faster bloodlines and have taken advantage these. I do think if you plan to run mainly at local events, ride what makes you happy. |
|
| |
|
"Heck's Coming With Me"
Posts: 10794
Location: Kansas | Not meant to be a slam at all as I have the highest regard for Scamper but would he have won the world 10 times in a row with today's fast and super athletic barrel horses? I'll bet even Charmayne would be in doubt.
|
|
| |
|
 Elite Veteran
Posts: 1031
Location: Oklahoma | Frodo - 2018-12-25 2:17 PM Not meant to be a slam at all as I have the highest regard for Scamper but would he have won the world 10 times in a row with today's fast and super athletic barrel horses? I'll bet even Charmayne would be in doubt.
I was thinking about this very thing during this year’s NFR. Not just Scamper but how all the horses at the 1988 or 1998 NFR would have competed with the horses there this year. |
|
| |
|
Location: Not Where I Want to Be | By and large they are faster, stronger and more athletic than they were 20-30-40 years ago.
No different than human athletes. Science is facilitating the improvement and will continue to do so.
|
|
| |
|
I just read the headlines
Posts: 4483
| Quick3 - 2018-12-25 2:36 PM
Frodo - 2018-12-25 2:17 PM Not meant to be a slam at all as I have the highest regard for Scamper but would he have won the world 10 times in a row with today's fast and super athletic barrel horses? I'll bet even Charmayne would be in doubt.
Â
 I was thinking about this very thing during this year’s NFR.  Not just Scamper but how all the horses at the 1988 or 1998 NFR would have competed with the horses there this year. Â
Put them on the bad ground that Scamper and the rest had to run in and it would be interesting how they would do, especially in the average. I really hate to compare these great athletes though. Both sets of horses are such great athletes with so much grit. Really it isn’t fair to compare with so many variables. |
|
| |
|
Veteran
Posts: 141
| Flashin The County - 2018-12-25 12:59 PM
Arena record at the NFR says something for today's horses....
We must have peaked last year and are on a downward trend then... |
|
| |
|
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 350
| I think the biggest difference is drugs being used! Look at Thoroughbred horse racing. The times have not changed that much. They are improving their genetics, shoeing, nutrition, and training methods too just as barrel horse owners/breeders are. I have seen a difference just in the last 15 yrs in barrel racing. I see ppl shoot them up right before running and they admit they are giving adrenalin and it lasts 30 sec. SO yes i'm sure we are improving the horses, but not that much. |
|
| |
|
 Saint Stacey
| I do think today’s horses are slightly faster, on average. But not even close to being a full 1/2 second or more as this poll has. Prior to the early 90’s, they really didn’t have arena drags. Certainly nothing like what we have today. Arena drags back then consisted of an old box spring mattress with a few large rocks thrown on it. They didn’t even hand rake at jackpots. Ground conditions have vastly improved. As has veterinary medicine. Back in the early 90’s, vets knew more about chickens than they did horses. That’s a direct quote from a lameness vet I used. Let’s not forget trailers. Now we have air ride suspension, werm flooring, etc. Prior to the early 90’s, not so much. Those horses traveled HARD miles. Everyone that hauls a lot knows that hauling is what cripples a horse more than the running does.
I think those great horses would still be great today. I don’t think the Sister’s or Louie could blow the likes of Bozo or Scamper out of the water.
Edited by SKM 2018-12-26 8:23 AM
|
|
| |
|
 Pres. ViaGen
Posts: 46
| Information is more accessible allowing for more informed breeding decisions plus improved health care, etc. Shipping semen, embryos, etc allows for more horses to be produced with desirable genetics. The depth at the top end is definitely increased versus 20 years ago. The outliers of the past could likely compete with today's top end, but the potential of the top third has increased signficantly. |
|
| |
Folks on-line