|
|
 Expert
Posts: 2128
  
| I will admit I have a lot of respect and admiration for those who trained a horse that they are having sucess on. I know it is not an easy task from start to finish, and to win on top of all that is awesome. Yeh, I definatly love to hear those stories of the self made horse.
Also, I do understand why people buy finished mounts. Not everyone has the time/means to train one. Some see it as a much smarter investment to buy something proven that they know they can be competitive on. I myself wanted to buy a finished horse for the longest time to ameture rodeo on because I just felt like I didnt have the time or know how to start and finish one from scratch. (I have overcome that hurdle though and am happy I did it) |
|
| |
|
 Expert
Posts: 1631
 
Location: Somewhere around here | I didn't mean to step on anyone's toes with this thought, I was just curious but I am glad to see the responses! It thought in my first post I mentioned the younger generation of barrel racers but maybe I wrong.
A reason I had this whole thought was because I feel like I couldn't buy a 1D horse and click with it. I tried it a time or two but it never quite worked out. But kudos to the women who can do it, afford it, and are amazing at it! |
|
| |
|
 Total Germophobe
Posts: 6443
Location: Montana | Personally, I can't afford a finished 1d/2d horse. So I look for a prospect that is as much as I can get and still afford to train (I have 30 rides or so put on one), then ride, then put on barrels. I realize I can't do it all myself, but I also realize that I can take that propsect at the training he has had and continue. So I don't have technically a self made horse, but I can do the ground work, and I can do some slow work, and I realized it's okay to let someone help me where I need it. |
|
| |
|
 I'm Cooler Offline
Posts: 6387
Location: Pacific Northwest | I've done both and I think both are equally hard in their own right. For me, the satisfaction I felt when a horse I've trained did well and what I felt when I finally clicked with the first finished horse I bought, was exactly the same, just for different reasons. I used to think figuring out to ride a finished horse was "easy", until I bought one and hit a barrel every single run for the first 5+ runs, was constantly in the 4D, and couldn't go more than 1 run without hitting a barrel. The first time I made a 1D run on that horse I almost cried.
I love training but at this point in my life I prefer my finished horse. All I have to do is keep her legged up.
ETA also, I don't think starting out on finished horses is necessarily a bad thing for kids. How are they suppose to know what a good horse feels like if they start out on crappy ones, who they're trying to train to do something that they don't even know what it's suppose to feel like? Not saying everyone struggles like that, but I don't think that just because a kid starts with a finished horse doesn't mean they won't be able to train one. When you start a new job, you're trained by someone with experience...they don't partner you with another new person and say "figure it out". Kind of the same with horses. A finished horse will show you "this is what your end product should be".
For the record, I'm one of those kids who's very first barrel horse was one I trained myself. The only reason I didn't ruin him is because I wasn't one of those kids that always wanted to go fast, but I'm pretty sure it would have been a heck of a lot easier if I knew what a finished barrel horse felt like.
Edited by livexlovexrodeo 2014-10-14 9:07 PM
|
|
| |
|
 Shelter Dog Lover
Posts: 10277
| I keep the trainers in business. We are not a rodeo family, my girls started riding around 10-12 years old. We bought the old beginner horses and after a few years and step up horses we bought finished 1D horses for high school rodeo. We had the $$, did not have the skills or time to train. We routinely sent the horses and girls to our trainer to keep both on track. I am looking at a 5 year old, if I purchase him, he will go to Jan for training. I would just mess him up. I would love to have the skills to train one but not going to happen in this lifetime. |
|
| |
|
 Expert
Posts: 1410
Location: Peach State | I think it just depends on what you want out of your "barrel racing career" no matter what level that may be. I am just now venturing out into the training my own. I've done pretty well locally on some seasoned rope horses turned into barrel horses and now I'm trying my hand at training one from scratch. I definitely feel as if I appreciate the little things through out the pattern more on the horse I've trained verses what the clock actually reads.
However I will say I ride a lot more aggressive on my old faithful barrel horse that was bought completely ready to go, I do trust him more on the pattern which is something I need to do with my others for they have proven to me they are just as competitive.
When it comes to the youths who seem to be able to go out and hop on a 1d horse and win right from the start, it can seem "unfair" for it to be so easy for some while others work years to get that far. However I won't knock anyone who can stay on a 1d horse through the pattern because that takes talent, end of story. Also I won't judge because everyone's story is different. But it does seem as if the ones who have had to work their way up stay in the game longer as if they didn't get burned out by taking fast track. |
|
| |
|
 Am I really the Weirdo?
Posts: 11181
Location: Kansas | I train my own because I'm cheap and I also enjoy the process. Granted I want them broke when I get them, and preferably ready to go to the pattern right off. I've been very lucky the past 10 years and I have had a finished, seasoned horse to run while I brought others along. It's helped not to have to rush one along, though I ended up throwing Clifford into the fire last year at rodeos while Chance was sore. We paid our dues last year, but this year Cliff won almost all my rodeo money, which was very satisfying because I'd done all the barrels training and seasoning. I don't think anyone else has even walked him around the pattern.
As far as buying becoming more popular, is it possible that there is just a lot bigger market for finished barrel horses? Are more people training and then selling, so its easier for someone to find a finished horse to buy? |
|
| |
|
 Lady Di
Posts: 21556
Location: Oklahoma | I've done both. My problem these days is that I'm old and I really don't like to go that fast any more.....hence the 1D horse in my signature for sale. I do better on ones that are patterned and I can come along and get confidence in them as they get faster. I have a finished horse, but he scares me these days, and I'm afraid my poor old body just can't hang with the centrifugal force he has around a barrel. :( I can get one to 1D level, but in order to showcase it, I have to put my younger jockeys on them because they all babysit me. lol |
|
| |
|
Blessed 
Location: Here | cecollins0811 - 2014-10-14 8:36 AM Back when I was younger all the fast and big girls trained their own horses and kinda had that pride of training their own amazing horse. These days though I'm seeing a lot more people just buying 1D horses and then thinking barrel racing is easy. Maybe it's just in my area but it irks me just a little. I am no means meaning to be putting down anyone who has bought a finished horse, I believe it's great for some! But are kids/young adults these days being taught that it's better to buy finished than to train your own?
It takes talent either way. Talent comes in many forms even hard work and God given. Both are beautiful to watch when they make those magical runs |
|
| |
|
10D Crack Champion
| If I had the money, I would buy a trainer, a slew of top dog horses, a hot stable boy, a hot driver, a hot all around handy guy, a fancy rig, get plastic surgery, and go for it. |
|
| |
|
 Extreme Veteran
Posts: 412
Location: In Husker Land | I have trained both of mine that I own.. bought my really good rodeo horse as a 3 year old and loved every minute.. bought this other one as a 5 yr old that hadn't been ridden much and started her, then she got hurt and had a year and half off..started bringing her back this year. I can't buy expensive horses..doesn't fly here. So buy them reasonable as young ones and train them for life time horses here. We also have to be versitale here..they have to work cows and work in pastures.
Here is video of my good rodeo horse..we made Mid State Rodeo Finals last year and Nebraska State Rodeo Finals too.
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=FfnFvYypeb4
And here is a video of just starting this other little mare back up late in August..
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=lZbu9X4uksk
Edited by hckbarrelracer 2014-10-14 10:45 PM
|
|
| |
|
 Transplant Okie
Posts: 1206
Location: Always on call..... | I think you stepped on toes by saying it "irked" you that people bought finished horses and that they weren't paying their dues. Aside from the fact that's fairly judgemental, everyone has different goals with their barrel racing, different lifestyles and different horse skills. I work a lot of hours and have a high stress job. Riding is my relaxation, so I want something finished that's ready to haul that I can just go have fun with.
I have trained a couple of horses because I couldn't afford anything else. And while it was a rewarding process, I enjoyed my horses a lot more once they were finished.
It still takes talent and skill to maintain, or even improve upon, a finished horse. It takes skill to be a flexible enough rider to adapt to a trained horse. It usually takes some time to get with a seasoned horse too. Rarely does someone buy one and just go start tearing up the 1D. Buying a finished horse isn't really instant gratification either. |
|
| |
|
Elite Veteran
Posts: 1131
| I'm currently looking for a patterned, ready to start seriously hauling barrel horse with good lines. I have a few in my sights, and none above $3,500. Those are out there if you know who to talk to. haha
I have always been 'oh, you have to train your own from the beginning or you are just cutting corners', until I realized, I just don't have time to dedicate to starting a colt right now. I need a horse I can keep legged up during the school week, then run on the weekends. So I am meeting in the middle, patterned but not winning yet. Keeps the price tag a little lower that way. |
|
| |
|
 Expert
Posts: 1526
Location: Texas | Great post! |
|
| |
|
 Ace Ventura Pet Detective
Posts: 2411
Location: Wisconsin | Love making them!! Im good at putting a nice pattern on them....then when they get too fast for this old lady...i sell them to the younger ones, and get satisfaction that way too. |
|
| |
|
Industrial Srength Barrel Racer
Posts: 7268
| GraciousLegacy - 2014-10-14 8:57 AM For me, I'm old and don't want to hit the ground anymore. The last young horse that I had hurt me very bad and destroyed my confidence. Now I will only buy older, solid, been there done that horses. For me it has nothing to do with instant gratification and everything to do with self preservation.
SAME HERE - I will NOT ride colts anymore! |
|
| |
|
  Twin Sister to Queen Boobie
Posts: 13315
Location: East Tennessee but who knows?! | cecollins0811 - 2014-10-14 8:36 AM Back when I was younger all the fast and big girls trained their own horses and kinda had that pride of training their own amazing horse. These days though I'm seeing a lot more people just buying 1D horses and then thinking barrel racing is easy. Maybe it's just in my area but it irks me just a little. I am no means meaning to be putting down anyone who has bought a finished horse, I believe it's great for some! But are kids/young adults these days being taught that it's better to buy finished than to train your own?
I've seen some have problems because of that. They can only ride certain horses because they fall apart or get in over their head. I've also heard trainers say that most of the people that come to ride their horses have trouble because they use their legs when they ride. So many ride with their hands and that's it because all they've ridden is made horses. Personally, I think it's because they haven't had to work their way up the ropes.
I give riding lessons & judge. I am firm believer that young/green/difficult horses are the only thing that makes a horseman. Unless you ride horses like that, you don't have a clue what it takes to put a horse where you need them. When you ride a horse that can't walk a straight line, you learn what it takes to put them there straight.
I realize that not everyone can train, nor should everyone train but I think if you want to call yourself a horseman you need to spend some time on some horses that aren't made and not as far along in their training so you learn what it takes.
Then again, I am one of those types that believes in doing things well and that means learning from the ground up. Kind of old school I guess. |
|
| |
|
 Ima Fickle Fan
Posts: 3547
Location: Texas | I think it comes down to a lot of factors. There is no one answer. I have a barrel bred gelding in my pasture that will be looking for a new home. He's patterned but not broke enough for me to feel confident on him. He also has no cow sense and won't fit our program. All our horses need to be multi-dimensional. This gelding never will be. We bought him thinking we could put the time in to him. Hubby has the talent to do so, I do not. In the time we've had this horse, hubby bought another prospect for him and I had a baby... Which meant this horse has sat unused.
The next horse we buy for me will be solid, patterned, and BROKE. I don't have the ability or time to train one. I have too many things going on and horses are for my enjoyment.
Kudos to those who train their own. I admire you and aspire to be like you. However, I don't have that kind of time. Granted, I'm not buying a 1D horse either. I don't know if I could ride one at this point. Maybe down the road, but not right now.
|
|
| |
|
 Queen Boobie 2
Posts: 7521
| sodapop - 2014-10-14 10:39 PM If I had the money, I would buy a trainer, a slew of top dog horses, a hot stable boy, a hot driver, a hot all around handy guy, a fancy rig, get plastic surgery, and go for it.
^^^^Like |
|
| |
|
Expert
Posts: 2128
| hckbarrelracer - 2014-10-14 10:43 PM I have trained both of mine that I own.. bought my really good rodeo horse as a 3 year old and loved every minute.. bought this other one as a 5 yr old that hadn't been ridden much and started her, then she got hurt and had a year and half off..started bringing her back this year. I can't buy expensive horses..doesn't fly here. So buy them reasonable as young ones and train them for life time horses here. We also have to be versitale here..they have to work cows and work in pastures. Here is video of my good rodeo horse..we made Mid State Rodeo Finals last year and Nebraska State Rodeo Finals too. http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=FfnFvYypeb4 And here is a video of just starting this other little mare back up late in August.. http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=lZbu9X4uksk
Nice pony! I agree with you, if its on our place it has to be able to earn its grain. Thats why I ride mostly "cow type" horses. It wouldnt be justifiable for me to own a straight race bred that did nothing but run barrels. Everything we have is expected to work cows, head/heel steers, or a combination of those. Its kind of nice though because I feel they turn out better when they have mutliple jobs :) |
|
| |
Folks on-line