|
|
 The Divine Ms.D
Posts: 1335
  
Location: Giddings, TX | lizzy - 2015-04-28 8:54 AM I am interested in the Letta Hank Do It question as well, I just purchased a daughter and really love her attitude and her work ethic.
See above answer.....they are very kind, loving horses. Be gentle with your hands and in your training methods. They respond much better to a kind trainer |
|
| |
|
Elite Veteran
Posts: 1074
| What are some good drills for children to improve their horsemanship without too much pattern work for their older seasoned horses? My daughter stepped up to a faster, more powerful horse, and I am interested in a drill that will help her to make a more correct turn without over working the horse. |
|
| |
|
A Cool Sharp One
 
| How long do you feel it should take a horse to "learn" the pattern and know whether or not you should enter them in a Futurity? |
|
| |
|
The Divine Ms.D
Posts: 1335
Location: Giddings, TX | Tatum2 - 2015-04-28 8:57 AM What are some therapies you use to keep your horse feeling at it's best when you are on the road running alot at the futurities/barrel racings.. Previcox, chirpractor, Ice?
I have a game ready machine (circulates ice water and uses compression to help healing), I have an Equi Resp machine that I love and have recently added to my program, I have an Equi Sports Messager that I love and helps muscles stay loose while traveling and being stalled. I also wrap legs with Back On Track wraps and use both BOT and PHT magnet blankets. I also haul with Soft Ride Boots. I use a Salt Water Spa when it is available which is usually around once a month. I will also use Cool Green Jelly or a poultice when stalling to help keep legs cool and prevent swelling. I am a big fan of good old fashion linament baths, my horses get them almost daily after a work out. I think keeping a horse sound and feeling tip top is a daily thing and starts with being in top physical condition!!! |
|
| |
|
 Own It and Move On
Location: The edge of no where | Hi Jackie!!! Thank you so much for coming on here and taking a few questions.
What is your workout program for a horse you consider trained?
How often and how far will you breeze one?
BTW - love following your fb page, pretty good inspiration while I'm at the gym! |
|
| |
|
The Divine Ms.D
Posts: 1335
Location: Giddings, TX | mattslilwonder - 2015-04-28 9:03 AM Do you start your 2 yr olds or do you send them off to someone?
Do you wait until they are 3 to actually start them on the barrels
I am very slow in starting my colts. Most of them I don't even break until very late in their 2 year old year or very early in their 3 year old year. My Dad always said that horses spend most of their lives in training and being rode. They only have a very short amount of time in the beginning of their lives to grow, mature and just be horses. I take that very seriously. The futurity industry lends itself to starting horses earlier and earlier. I do not get so wrapped up in time schedules that I start my horses too soon! I send my horses off to be broke the first 30-60 days depening on the horse. Stephan Boutin starts my colts and does a jam up job. He gets them really soft and responsive and ready to go into my training program. I never ever start a colt on the barrels until they turn 3 (by birthdate!!!). If they are going to mature enough to make a standout futurity horse they will. If they aren't going to fit that mold that is ok too and I will hold off and wait or sell them to a home that has more time to suit that horse. Every single horse isn't cut out for futurities and that doesn't have any impact on what kind of 10 year old barrel horse they make!! I think that is the key to remember when training is every horse is an individual, you can't make them all train, learn and mature at the same speed |
|
| |
|
 Sorry I don't have any advice
Posts: 1975
Location: Sunnyland Florida |
Hi Jackie, and thanks for taking our questions!
1. In your opinion, what is/are the worst conformation faults that will cause you to "pass" on a well-bred prospect?
2. What do you think is the best pad to use under a treeless saddle? (medium-withered horse)
Thanks!
|
|
| |
|
 Expert
Posts: 2604
Location: Texas | jackieandrooster - 2015-04-28 9:12 AM TBone - 2015-04-28 8:53 AM Are there any specific drills or "secrets" to getting a horse to fire between the barrels? My horse is 13, I raised and trained him, and no matter how agressive I ride or how much smooching I do, he rates way too much for the first barrel, and doesn't fire between the first and second. He is better to the third barrel and home. It is especially bad in indoor or covered arenas. He vets 100% sound and is in excellent condition. He can flat out fly when I breeze him and he LOVES to run, just not to a barrel! Any suggestions? Thanks. As I said earlier old, seasoned horses become very quirky!!! That sounds like what you have going on. Sometimes doing the opposite helps. For example, take your spurs off. Try not to whip or be overly aggressive with your feet. Go out and breeze him using this method. Just let him run all on his own without being super aggressive to try to make him run. Then, try it in a few runs. Think about just trying to let him do most of it on his own. I think sometimes we get so aggressive that we make a horse mad or irritated and they back off running instead of running harder
 THANK YOU!!!
|
|
| |
|
The Divine Ms.D
Posts: 1335
Location: Giddings, TX | barrelrider - 2015-04-28 9:15 AM What are some good drills for children to improve their horsemanship without too much pattern work for their older seasoned horses? My daughter stepped up to a faster, more powerful horse, and I am interested in a drill that will help her to make a more correct turn without over working the horse.
I really like using cones as I stated in a previous post. This helps the horse not have anxiety and helps the rider be able to focus on correct hand position to help their horse. Circling cones, side passing between cones, figure 8's. All very good exercises to help!!!
Mostly be patient and tell her it takes time and experience to get with a new horse!!!! |
|
| |
|
 Expert
Posts: 2457
| jackieandrooster - 2015-04-28 8:52 AM lindseylou2290 - 2015-04-28 8:37 AM What is your go to favorite drill for younger horses?
Thanks for spending time with us!! I am a big fan of using cones for my drill work. I prefer cones vs barrels as I think it helps a horse stay relaxed and doesn't get the anxiety from using barrels. Nothing super special just lots of exercises that all focus back on fundamentals. Circling cones but staying the same distance from the cone all the way around. I also like to do cone work to focus on my own handwork. Making sure that me and my horse a developing a good, clear cut relationship. For example, everytime I ask for A the reaction is B. Good consistency in both horse and rider is the key to any drill work. I think people get so wrapped up in looking for 'magic drills' that they forget the actual purpose of drills is to build a strong, consistent foundation that you can grow upon and always fall back on. My horses are super duper broke and very very resposnsive to me in every way. That is the ultimate goal!!!
Thank you ma'am! |
|
| |
|
The Divine Ms.D
Posts: 1335
Location: Giddings, TX | mattslilwonder - 2015-04-28 9:17 AM How long do you feel it should take a horse to "learn" the pattern and know whether or not you should enter them in a Futurity?
Every horse learns at a different speed you can't use one mold to train every horse. I use the method of going one speed until they can basically do a perfect pattern without me having to do much of anything to help them. They should totally master a speed and the pattern perfectly before stepping up in speed. I also have more than walk, trot, lope and run in my program as I step them up. This is how I go in progression:
Walk
Trot to the barrel, break down to walk in the turn
Trot
Lope to the barrel, trot in turn
Lope
Fast lope to the barrel, collected slower lope in turn
cruise all the way threw
run to barrel, slow speed around
run
My always making sure that horse understands they can't turn as fast as they run to a turn you keep them collected and rate is natural for them. It helps them hunt the turns and makes my job easier as the rider |
|
| |
|
The Divine Ms.D
Posts: 1335
Location: Giddings, TX | I have to stop at this time, duty calls I have to go pick up a horse. Feel free to continue to post questions. I will come back this afternoon and continue answering. Thanks to all that choose to spend their morning with me.
Go Fast,
J2 |
|
| |
|
 I Want a "MAN"
Posts: 3610
Location: MD | What do you do for horses that are very very broke and touchy but when they run they get strong? This horse will slow work perfect all day long but when you run her she wants to cut the pocket off and slice the barrel there for making her hang up behind. She was trained to go straight to the barrel and pick up right before but I have a very hard time with that. What excercises can I do for myslef and help her make cleaner runs?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2RAfvBcZyNI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QoycFXgOKYQ
Edited by CE's wrapn3 2015-04-28 9:46 AM
|
|
| |
|
Red Hot Cardinal Fan
Posts: 4122
| What exercises or drills would you recommend for a horse(and definitely rider!) that anticipates the second barrel? She is very ratey, and at times we will either not get far enough past the second and catch the barrel leaving or bow out on the backside of it. During slow work I will occasionally drive her to the fence or do counterarcs to make sure she is listening to me, and I've been trying to push her past the barrel when we run, but we are losing a lot of time there. Any suggestions? |
|
| |
|
 Queen Bee Cat Owner
Posts: 3629
Location: Way up North | Thanks for doing this!
What makes you choose to run in a hack vs. a bit? Is it more horse preference or do you use they to correct or help a certain issue?
How much hauling and exhibitioning do you do with a futurity prospect the year before you plan on entering? Do they need to be exhibtioning a certain amount off the winning times at a certain point for you to think they will make it?
Edited by AllAroundRider 2015-04-28 9:54 AM
|
|
| |
|
boon
Posts: 2
| How do you know if your horse is ready for the road to futurity? |
|
| |
|
 BHW Resident Surgeon
Posts: 25351
Location: Bastrop, Texas | Hi Jackie. What is your opinion on the use of performance enhancing drugs? Do you feel there should be more stringent drug testing, particularly at higher levels? Do you think the label "performance enhancing drugs" needs to be better defined? |
|
| |
|
 Veteran
Posts: 239
| A follow up question to an answer you posted above - on using cones for drills to be able to work on proper hand positioning.
Can you expand more on proper hand positioning? Where do you like to keep your hands in the turn and do you keep your elbows bent throughout?
What is it about the cones that allow you to better work on your hands vs a barrel?
Thank you so much. You are an inspiration to us all!! |
|
| |
|
 Elite Veteran
Posts: 1162
Location: White Mountains of AZ | What's some of your pre race conditioning/feeding exercises consist of? When do you feel one of your horses is in good enough shape to run? THANK YOU!! |
|
| |
|
 Elite Veteran
Posts: 806
Location: Arkansas | What are your "must haves" on a colt before you start them on the barrels?
Are there particular drills that a horse must be able to do prior to starting on the barrels?
What advice do you have for finished horses that have a hard time keeping it together at a race? This horse really works great at home, but once at a race the horse seems to lose focus, doesn't see the first barrel and just wants to run. The horse is very broke, and is also a heel horse that has won some very high dollar ropings so he is used to pressure, loud music, etcs.
Edited by Esther 2015-04-28 11:17 AM
|
|
| |
Folks on-line