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| Have you taken her to events and just hang around the alley and not made a run? I was taught to make the alley a calm place. Never go to the back of the alley and just sit on your horse. Always keep them moving. If the show allows walk in and out the alley during drags. Get your horse comfortable with the alley and not always anticipating a run. One of the worst things to do is stand by the alley before your run. Always keep them moving. Now I will admit I haven't run barrels in years so shows may not allow the practice of walking in and out of the alley during drags. If they don't, go ride at an arena without a show going and work on the alley issue. | |
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| Not to be mean but I'd probably be finding her a new job. I can understand many gate issues and trying to fix them however when it becomes a safety issue then it's time to rethink their barrel racing career.
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 Dancing in my Mind
Posts: 3062
 
Location: Eastern OH but my heart is in WV | ULCERS, ULCERS, ULCERS!!!! We have a horse that can also become down right dangerous at the gate but fine once in the arena. Spent tons of money trying to figure it out but only saw a huge improvement after treating for ulcers (even though the test came back negative). We were lucky at first and just a dose of Ulcer guard a few hours before running would help, did this for about 2 years. Then this summer, he returned to his more dangerous behaviors. We just ran him this weekend after about 2 months off and started on a daily fed ulcer control; He was calm at the gate and in the holding pen.
Not going to lie though he is corky as hell, as well. He is much calmer when I lead him in; I joke all the time that I am his security blanket. He HATES WALK IN GATES!!!! I mean HATES THEM. He is strictly a chute horse. Line him up and get the heck out of his way. We have a small show, that I have been part of for years, but we are going to stop running him there (after years of trying every different approach) because they have small side gates. People think he is a raving lunatic there but he enjoys the rodeo environment. Also we REALLY limit the number of runs he makes in a day and never sees a barrel outside of competition.
I wish you so much luck, I FULLY understand how frustrating this is. I know some say she has your number, all I can say is if we "discipline" our horse at the gate, it turns dangerous fast & is counter productive. Every horse is so different and it can be such a long and frustrating process. We stuck with our horse because we know that we have a nice horse that we could not afford if he wasn't so corky. It takes a lot of time and patience. | |
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Member
Posts: 44
| TryingToStayOn - 2017-09-27 8:28 AM
Have you taken her to events and just hang around the alley and not made a run? I was taught to make the alley a calm place. Never go to the back of the alley and just sit on your horse. Always keep them moving. If the show allows walk in and out the alley during drags. Get your horse comfortable with the alley and not always anticipating a run. One of the worst things to do is stand by the alley before your run. Always keep them moving. Now I will admit I haven't run barrels in years so shows may not allow the practice of walking in and out of the alley during drags. If they don't, go ride at an arena without a show going and work on the alley issue.
Done this. She stands until you ask her to move, then she tryst to escape the holding pen. Straight rodeo alley and she's fine. It's like her brains ooze out of her ears! | |
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Member
Posts: 44
| Rolling J - 2017-09-27 9:06 AM
ULCERS, ULCERS, ULCERS!!!! We have a horse that can also become down right dangerous at the gate but fine once in the arena. Spent tons of money trying to figure it out but only saw a huge improvement after treating for ulcers (even though the test came back negative). We were lucky at first and just a dose of Ulcer guard a few hours before running would help, did this for about 2 years. Then this summer, he returned to his more dangerous behaviors. We just ran him this weekend after about 2 months off and started on a daily fed ulcer control; He was calm at the gate and in the holding pen.
Not going to lie though he is corky as hell, as well. He is much calmer when I lead him in; I joke all the time that I am his security blanket. He HATES WALK IN GATES!!!! I mean HATES THEM. He is strictly a chute horse. Line him up and get the heck out of his way. We have a small show, that I have been part of for years, but we are going to stop running him there (after years of trying every different approach) because they have small side gates. People think he is a raving lunatic there but he enjoys the rodeo environment. Also we REALLY limit the number of runs he makes in a day and never sees a barrel outside of competition.
I wish you so much luck, I FULLY understand how frustrating this is. I know some say she has your number, all I can say is if we "discipline" our horse at the gate, it turns dangerous fast & is counter productive. Every horse is so different and it can be such a long and frustrating process. We stuck with our horse because we know that we have a nice horse that we could not afford if he wasn't so corky. It takes a lot of time and patience.
She scopes clean for fore and hind gut ulcers. She doesn't have even one. She also does good with a straight alley, just turns psycho in some of these side gate traps we hanging on around here. Took her to one a couple of weeks ago that had center gate, sent her from there and it was all good. She shoots straight to the left holding pen sideways like it's a safe place. In other words if she goes to the right one she knows she's running and refuses to go in the right side. However, coming from the left is costing me time and sometimes makes a bad first barrel. | |
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Member
Posts: 44
| jake16 - 2017-09-26 8:59 PM
How did you treat the ulcers?
Didn't. She was checked for fore and hind gut ulcers and not even an abrasion. Nothing! I really thought it was her issue, but vet couldn't find any. | |
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Member
Posts: 44
| turnthree - 2017-09-27 8:41 AM
Not to be mean but I'd probably be finding her a new job. I can understand many gate issues and trying to fix them however when it becomes a safety issue then it's time to rethink their barrel racing career.
I know you're not being mean and I understand what you are saying. I have had 3 men run this mare and there is very little to no resistance, just on the muscle and I am ok with that. I believe part of it is me because she can be so intimidating. This time last year she even fell apart on me at home and I wouldn't even ride her so I have come along way with her. I am now hauling her a competing so I have gotten more confidence. We considered training her as a head horse, but I'm not sure she willhandle that side, maybe heeling so she doesn't have to be as quiet. I do not run at home and really don't even Lope her a lot. One of my dearest friends told me I am going extreme on not blowing one up and I need to put pressure on her at home to teach her to handle it. Maybe there is something to that?! | |
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Go Get Em!
Posts: 13503
 
Location: OH. IO | sharpone - 2017-09-27 3:28 PM
jake16 - 2017-09-26 8:59 PM
How did you treat the ulcers?
Didn't. She was checked for fore and hind gut ulcers and not even an abrasion. Nothing! I really thought it was her issue, but vet couldn't find any.
The vet scoped for hind gut ulcers? Did he do a fecal test also for PH and blood? | |
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| sharpone - 2017-09-27 2:16 PM TryingToStayOn - 2017-09-27 8:28 AM Have you taken her to events and just hang around the alley and not made a run? I was taught to make the alley a calm place. Never go to the back of the alley and just sit on your horse. Always keep them moving. If the show allows walk in and out the alley during drags. Get your horse comfortable with the alley and not always anticipating a run. One of the worst things to do is stand by the alley before your run. Always keep them moving. Now I will admit I haven't run barrels in years so shows may not allow the practice of walking in and out of the alley during drags. If they don't, go ride at an arena without a show going and work on the alley issue. Done this. She stands until you ask her to move, then she tryst to escape the holding pen. Straight rodeo alley and she's fine. It's like her brains ooze out of her ears!
Is it possible to walk circles instead of standing in the holding pen? Try to always keep her on the move even in the holding pen. | |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 602
| This is going to sound 100% insane but have you tried to sing a song while walking to the gate. If not, try it. Sing it out loud/slightly under your breath. When you are in that situation, you dont realize how much your body freezes up. If you sing a song, you have to breathe and your body will relax. I was taught this several years ago. Never had a horse refuse a gate again. My mare was so bad, she flipped over on me in the alley. | |
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 Am I really the Weirdo?
Posts: 11181
Location: Kansas | I don't know how much if any of this will help you, but it's some ideas.
I bought one with a dangerous gate issue as a possible fix & flip project last August, and he actually has been walking in flat footed at side gate rodeos.
Here's our routine: - I warm up away from the gate. Get off, hand walk him, let him circle around me, bump me with his head etc., until they are 3 people away from me.
- Then I slowly tighten his cinch and step on when the person 2 before me is finishing their run. If I'm #4, I step on when #2 is at the 3rd barrel.
- Matt pets him and talks to him while I put my rubber bands on .
- When they call my name, we take off walking straight to the gate. If Fred gets antsy, Matt talks to him some more and I pet his neck.
- Matt usually turns us loose a couple steps before the gate and we walk in flat footed alone.
- After we run, I come out and step off as soon as I can get my rubber bands off. I loosen the cinch, Matt and I both pet him, and I head back to the trailer to strip him, give treats and water.
Fred has figured out a few things with us - We are NOT going to whip him near the gate. We don't put up with stupid behavior. If he spins circles or tries to lunge away from Matt, Matt growls "FRED!" at him and if necessary (only once or twice so far) will smack him on the nose. Once we run, we're done and we LEAVE the arena area. It's all business and we don't hang around by the gate AT ALL. | |
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  Keeper of the King Snake
Posts: 7622
Location: Dubach, LA | Buy a bottle of essential oil. I suggest Rosemary. Put a drop on your hands when you do things that she likes. When you groom her, or feed her, or do anything relaxing. Get her to look forward to the smell. After a couple of weeks, use the oil at a run but don't run her. Then use the oil at a run and run her. Smells are powerful. | |
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Member
Posts: 44
| TryingToStayOn - 2017-09-27 5:00 PM
sharpone - 2017-09-27 2:16 PM TryingToStayOn - 2017-09-27 8:28 AM Have you taken her to events and just hang around the alley and not made a run? I was taught to make the alley a calm place. Never go to the back of the alley and just sit on your horse. Always keep them moving. If the show allows walk in and out the alley during drags. Get your horse comfortable with the alley and not always anticipating a run. One of the worst things to do is stand by the alley before your run. Always keep them moving. Now I will admit I haven't run barrels in years so shows may not allow the practice of walking in and out of the alley during drags. If they don't, go ride at an arena without a show going and work on the alley issue. Done this. She stands until you ask her to move, then she tryst to escape the holding pen. Straight rodeo alley and she's fine. It's like her brains ooze out of her ears!
Usually she's to busy bouncing off the fence. This worked on my old mare if she got antsy, but she was a stay in your hand kind of mare and didn't like to get in trouble. | |
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Member
Posts: 44
| spitzh - 2017-09-27 5:33 PM
This is going to sound 100% insane but have you tried to sing a song while walking to the gate. If not, try it. Sing it out loud/slightly under your breath. When you are in that situation, you dont realize how much your body freezes up. If you sing a song, you have to breathe and your body will relax. I was taught this several years ago. Never had a horse refuse a gate again. My mare was so bad, she flipped over on me in the alley.
Too funny! My friend had me try this, but can't say it helped much. But I now know all the words to twinkle twinkle little star! | |
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Member
Posts: 44
| rodeowithjoker - 2017-09-27 5:51 PM
I don't know how much if any of this will help you, but it's some ideas.
I bought one with a dangerous gate issue as a possible fix & flip project last August, and he actually has been walking in flat footed at side gate rodeos.
Here's our routine: - I warm up away from the gate. Get off, hand walk him, let him circle around me, bump me with his head etc., until they are 3 people away from me.
- Then I slowly tighten his cinch and step on when the person 2 before me is finishing their run. If I'm #4, I step on when #2 is at the 3rd barrel.
- Matt pets him and talks to him while I put my rubber bands on .
- When they call my name, we take off walking straight to the gate. If Fred gets antsy, Matt talks to him some more and I pet his neck.
- Matt usually turns us loose a couple steps before the gate and we walk in flat footed alone.
- After we run, I come out and step off as soon as I can get my rubber bands off. I loosen the cinch, Matt and I both pet him, and I head back to the trailer to strip him, give treats and water.
Fred has figured out a few things with us - We are NOT going to whip him near the gate. We don't put up with stupid behavior. If he spins circles or tries to lunge away from Matt, Matt growls "FRED!" at him and if necessary (only once or twice so far) will smack him on the nose. Once we run, we're done and we LEAVE the arena area. It's all business and we don't hang around by the gate AT ALL.
I think staying away from the arena and makeup arena does help. It just seems like a trick only works once. I did ride her in the holding pen for 3hrs. About a month ago during warmups and with the exception of a couple of fits, she wasn't bad. Just not sure that is a good approach. I hauled her to the same arena 2 weekends in a row, she got so bad she wouldn't come out of the makeup pen to go to the main arena. | |
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Member
Posts: 44
| CanCan - 2017-09-27 7:10 PM
Buy a bottle of essential oil. I suggest Rosemary. Put a drop on your hands when you do things that she likes. When you groom her, or feed her, or do anything relaxing. Get her to look forward to the smell. After a couple of weeks, use the oil at a run but don't run her. Then use the oil at a run and run her. Smells are powerful.
Cant hurt. About the only thing I haven't tried. | |
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 Morale Booster!!
Posts: 1459
| spitzh - 2017-09-28 4:33 PM This is going to sound 100% insane but have you tried to sing a song while walking to the gate. If not, try it. Sing it out loud/slightly under your breath. When you are in that situation, you dont realize how much your body freezes up. If you sing a song, you have to breathe and your body will relax. I was taught this several years ago. Never had a horse refuse a gate again. My mare was so bad, she flipped over on me in the alley.
I love this.. I have never heard anyone suggests this.. I was also taught this years ago.. When I tell people to try it, they think I am crazy. So if you hear me singing.... You know why :) | |
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Veteran
Posts: 220
| No joke I am doing this next time! | |
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 I Don't Brag
Posts: 6960
| MY good, old rodeo mare had horrible gate issue when I got her, stemming from oversized, painful ovaries/multiple follicles. I got her I January and we had some issues, especially in crowed conditions. I once found myself with my leg pinned hard against a panel with two or three lead ropes of horses tide to those panels against my back with folks in front dragging and pulling one her and someone behind poking and pushing (there was NO room to wield a whip). She knew every trick in the book to avoid going in.
In March with her first heat cycle, she refused to stop , slamming in to the wall, kicking her shoes off in the trailer and her slamming her body against the trailer, panels, walls etc., took us immediately to the vet who announced her ovary was the size of a grapefruit! (should be the size of a walnut). After a summer of trying every known way to deal with ovaries , while piecing together her history (it looked like someone tried to "train" her female problems away....she had scars on her poll where someone had used bare wire as a tie down... and lumps left over in her neck where she had previously had hormone implants....we got rid of the pain.
As far as her gate issues, I had learned to stay clam and relaxed, despite everybody trying to hurry us in the gate, and I "ASKED' her to go in rather than demand....and she did. Crowded situations would still find us plastered to another horse if they did not clear away, but as long as we had a relatively clear runway, she went in no questions asked.
The mare I run now came to me with a history of gate issues and I have had her refuse mildly once or twice but most times she goes right in. Sometimes the rider's anxiety magnifies the issues as was the case with this mare.
Years ago my old App could refuse with the best of them. First it took a chain over his nose with someone leading him in. then I learned to spin him tightly for a few revolutions then ask and eventually he gave up the fight.
A friend who has had one or two with bad gate issues has had luck using a plastic bag on the end of a long stick. She teaches the horse to move forward by someone on the ground shaking the bag then does the same when approaching the gate.
The point is, the reasons for refusal are different and the solutions can be just as varied. If this horse is going in for other riders, then my guess is that she has your number. The solution is likely to be unique to you and your mare. Listen to what has worked for others, try what you can and go with what works for you. So keep the suggestions coming folks!
Good luck! | |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 678
Location: Canada | spitzh - 2017-09-27 5:33 PM
This is going to sound 100% insane but have you tried to sing a song while walking to the gate. If not, try it. Sing it out loud/slightly under your breath. When you are in that situation, you dont realize how much your body freezes up. If you sing a song, you have to breathe and your body will relax. I was taught this several years ago. Never had a horse refuse a gate again. My mare was so bad, she flipped over on me in the alley.
I teach riding lessons and use this for all beginners. I make them sing LOUDLY. The process of having to take in air and exhale, plus focusing on the song vs what the horse is doing makes a major difference in their body relaxation.
Honestly... If this was me I'd stop running her at places that have a side gate or holding pen. You're risking injury to yourself, your horse, and others by taking her to places where she becomes unglued with other people around. The last thing you want is her to run off blind and injure a rider, a bystander or another horse. I'd call ahead to producers and find out the set up and just not run at places you know she isn't going to do well at.
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