My horse seems to like explode out of the ally, he really hauls to that first barrel. Personally sometimes I check him once to make sure he doesn't blow past it, I wouldn't say he slows down a lot from the first to the second but I feel like he does a little but I know he won't blow that second barrel at all. From the second to the third I wish he would push a little more, but then again I need to also help him out and push him. He likes turning the barrels really tight usually, if I knock, 9 times out of 10 it's the third barrel. It's mainly my fault because I need to really push him past that third and sometimes I fail. He would be considered push style though right? Or would he be inbetween because of that first barrel? For the most part I try to stay out of his mouth and let him do his job, I would like to rate down my bit and looking for suggestions. I was told to give him more of a pocket at the third, but he turns so tight I feel like I would hit the barrel dead on? 

I had this problem with my new horse. He is super ratey and quick in between I really had to force myself to drive all the way to the back of the third. It was a trust issue for me, and I would sit too early   So I took some lessons and it helped me get out of my head and drive and trust him that he is going to turn and stay out of his way. You will get it! 

I wouldn't focus too much on if the horse is push style or in between at the moment. Sounds like you know what he needs for each barrel, and as far as giving him more pocket at the 3rd, personally, I wouldn't. Too much pocket and he could easily go in and drop his shoulder and just compound the problem. I'd work on mentally getting to a place where you are hustling him farther into the turn than you think you need to. And in your slow work, perhaps give him more room on the backside? 

Forgive me that I'm not wording any of this eloquently at all. I'm just now having my first cup of coffee.

That's what I'm afriad of, I don't think giving him a bigger pocket will help like a couple has advised me. I think I just need to make sure I get him past it. Any suggestions on a bit though? I use an o ring twisted dogbone combo at the moment, but we are seasoned and doing well at this point, I just never switched bits but I feel I can rate down now.

I've ran a couple like that at the 3rd, even had one slam me so hard into it I fractured my leg through a shin guard & needed stitches. In slow work I just go deep, sometimes all the way to the fence. If I have one wanting to slam the barrel on its own I just run them hard right up into that back fence & don't let them turn at all. I've also gone running to that barrel & sat & turned the opposite way to break them off. Also helps to adjust your posture, don't sit or even think about turning until his shoulder is at least even with that barrel & when your leg gets to the barrel ask for that turn. But before that point just keep focusing on a point on the fence or wall or whatever and keep driving. It's something you're going to have to really focus on while youre doing it 

Do you have any bit suggestions? I want to rate down from a twisted dogbone o ring combo.

I don't think you need a bit change, I think you just need to ride him deeper like the others say.  I think people are quick to change things when they really need to change themselves.

Okay thanks! I was told that the bit I use is harsh so I figured I would look into a step down.

I think as far as bit goes if its not broke, don't fix it. Just stay out of his way, Bit change is going to depend on him & his controllability for you. Consider how he stops, in case you'd need an emergency stop or to not have a lot of room to stop at the end of a run. If you think he could run in an o-ring without the noseband combo, switch to that & see what happens. In my opinion o-ring combos aren't a whole lot of bit to start with. I run mine in short shank bits, like the reinsman 3x3 with twisted mouths, some others have gag & some don't. Always short shanks though. I also run one in the o-ring combo too, although I don't run him much anymore now that he's leased out. The mare that broke my leg I just ran in the regular chain mouth bit. But I personally wouldn't mess with the bit, just ride him where he needs to be 

Thank you! I was told it was harsh so if that's the case I don't want to run him in harsh bit.

In my opinion that's not a harsh bit.  But, any bit can be harsh in the wrong hands.  I'm not saying you have harsh hands at all.

I'll echo the others and say I wouldn't go for a bit change just yet. 

I def wouldn't give him more pocket, though. I prefer the 'straighter, longer' approach that Lynn McKenzie teaches. In my slow work, I really focus on keeping my mare's shoulders up, her driving from the hind end, and going deeper on the back side of the barrel. I really exaggerate that in our slow work. 

Also, someone really knowledgeable recently pointed out to me that I was dropping to the horn too soon. Is it possible you're doing the same? Her advice on a horse that really locks on to the turn and needs to be pushed past was to 'ride two handed til you feel like you're going to fall off.' Not literally of course, but having that mentality going in to the turn has MADE me ride two handed longer. 

I don't think it is either...but apparantly some people think it is.

I do grab onto the horn too soon, I am trying to fix that at the moment. I have been a lot better about it to the first and seocond, but at the third where I need to drive him the most I grab and set up way too soon of course hahaha.

Does your horse go past 1st if you don't check him? If you feel him really shutting down when you check him I would maybe "let him run" to first vs pushing him and try to take out the checking and keep the momemtum around the turn and into the next barrel.

Do you run into 3rd barrel with one hand or two hands on the reins? If you are running 1 handed I would go to 2 handed to help keep him straight a little longer before starting your turn. If he doesn't crowd you on 2nd but does on 3rd I would think this would help you as well. I am not saying to pull his nose to the outside...If you have a tendency to do this keep with the 1 hand. Bits are a personal preference and the "harshness" depends on who is using them. I"ve seen plenty of horses mouths ruined by a ring snaffle by people thinking they were keeping them "soft"Know your hands and the reactions you get from different bits and make your decision based on that vs opinions of others.

I have a friend doing the same in her runs recently, so when I an I stand at the fence behind that 3rd and yell at her & tell her when to turn. It's helped her a lot focusing on me & turning when need be vs being in her head. If you have someone that can do that, worth a try. Otherwise just work on your slow work and try to think of nothing escept where you need to be the whole trip from 2nd to 3rd. You're going to have to really focus your mind. If you have barrels at home & he can walk patterns a few times without getting bored or anxious, walk it at home & pretend your running & go through the motions. That helps me a lot when I get lazy & I notice I'm grabbing the horn 20 feet before the barrel. Fixes me pretty quick on my hands & my horse doesn't care how many times we walk it 

I want to run to the third more two handed, but I usually end up grabbing onto the horn way too early. I need to keep up with him better I feel like by the time we round the second I'm wore out. I don't think I'm out of shape for it, but my nerves wear me out before my run. 

I usually don't work on it at home since he is older and is seasoned, but since I don't have show for awhile I will try that. Thanks!

Don't let what others think change your way of thinking.  If your horse is working good, I wouldn't change a thing.

People on this website are much nicer than the other website I was on, I definitely prefer this one!