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 Extreme Veteran
Posts: 534
 
| Southtxponygirl - 2013-09-20 10:52 PM
I went back and watched the video again, the first barrel looked really good, your hands were in a good spot, go back and watch your video and watch the first barrel, thats what you need to be doing on the other two.2 You got a really cute horse there 
That's the thing though, she wont bend so easily or go around as nicely as she does the first. So I thought maybe switch barrels because she'll have two rights and only one left. But I don't know. So many people keep telling me she's sore, so I am gonna get that out of the way before I try anything. I'll have her a vet appointment next weekendd when I come into some money. | |
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 A Somebody to Everybody
Posts: 41354
  
Location: Under The Big Sky Of Texas | On the first barrel you hands are just right but when you get to the second barrel you pick your hands up high and out and her nose is following your hands, try to keep your elbows in and hands a little lower. Good luck with her. You know I have a gelding that is bred to run barrels, but I dont think he really likes them, to me all horses are not made to run barrels. I sent him to a friend of mine and they worked him slow for 3 months, I bring him home and its like he never went any where  , hes just a goober in my books.  | |
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Location: Midwest | IMHO I wouldn't do barrels with her. But if you choose to keep doin it, I'd suggest to get those hocks x-rayed and a lameness exam ASAP. | |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 349
| Something that I picked up on is her whole aproach and turn of that second barrel was simmilar to that of when I started doing barrels on my old pony. I totally get circling a barrel to get the feel right but there was no support on the outside when you cam around(hence her drifting to the outside on the backside. I would definitely pick up work with your trainer again and best of luck. | |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 349
| BaylenJaxs - 2013-09-20 8:54 PM
Southtxponygirl - 2013-09-20 10:52 PM
I went back and watched the video again, the first barrel looked really good, your hands were in a good spot, go back and watch your video and watch the first barrel, thats what you need to be doing on the other two.2 You got a really cute horse there
That's the thing though, she wont bend so easily or go around as nicely as she does the first. So I thought maybe switch barrels because she'll have two rights and only one left. But I don't know. So many people keep telling me she's sore, so I am gonna get that out of the way before I try anything. I'll have her a vet appointment next weekendd when I come into some money.
OOps didn't see this post before. Something that has proved very helpful is realizing"bend" doesnt have to be over egsagerated trough the shoulders. Think hiphiphips. If your hips are out and your nose is in that isnt doing anything either! Another thing that I would recommend(if you can afford it) Is to learn many different disciplines(youll see the similarities) Mainly hop on a reiner and hop on a dressage horse. | |
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 Saint Stacey
| I agree that the horse looks sore and if it were mine I would take it to a good lameness vet, JMHO.
The one thing that really stood out to me is that you have a lot of face on 2nd and no ribs. You touch the face and that's all the horse gives you. You need the ribs to give too. The horse needs to arch through the rib cage in the turn. When you try to correct, you are pulling the nose to the outside, which arcs the rib cage the wrong way, which then causes the horse to be even more out of position in the turn. A horse can't be corrected by pulling with the outside rein. You have to maintain the body by lifting the ribs with the inside foot, maintain the arc by lifting with the inside rein and all the outside rein should do is act as a guide. | |
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  A Lady with Fight
Posts: 2701
Location: NC | SKM - 2013-09-21 7:30 AM
I agree that the horse looks sore and if it were mine I would take it to a good lameness vet, JMHO.
The one thing that really stood out to me is that you have a lot of face on 2nd and no ribs. You touch the face and that's all the horse gives you. You need the ribs to give too. The horse needs to arch through the rib cage in the turn. When you try to correct, you are pulling the nose to the outside, which arcs the rib cage the wrong way, which then causes the horse to be even more out of position in the turn. A horse can't be corrected by pulling with the outside rein. You have to maintain the body by lifting the ribs with the inside foot, maintain the arc by lifting with the inside rein and all the outside rein should do is act as a guide.
THIS
All of these things a trainer can help you with.
Get healed up. You don't need to be riding if you can't use your legs, especially on a green horse. Your legs are 99% of your riding. Your hands are just a guide.
So get your legs back to 100% & then worry about riding. :)
For now, watch & listen & soak everything you can up. Ask a million questions. Watch a million runs. Watch videos of trainers working young horses & see how much leg they use, watch where their hands are. Go to a show & watch the exhibitions CLOSELY. Watch where those rider keep their legs & hands during slow work. Take notes!! Ask questions! Most people are HAPPY to pass on their knowledge to those who are willing to listen & learn!
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 IMA No Hair Style Gal
Posts: 2594
| Never ever beat yourself up. I understand it is hard to have confidence in yourself when you feel unsure.
STOP feeling unsure because you are getting out there and trying to learn.
THAT counts for something.
Now with that being said-it can be very humbling to have people tell you what they see.
I have learned personally to buck up and deal with it if I am serious about getting better. However, I can relate to how much it can make you feel like you suck.
Whenever I ride I have a few friends that watch and critique me on EVERYTHING I am doing. Along with my husband who is not afraid to say WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT?!
I have walked away crying plenty of times-LOL
But each time I get back on and I realize WOW, that made such a huge difference. It clicks now...
Trust me, I know the truth can hurt. I get it five days a week. The other day I said I felt like I was a lost cause because of how much I was getting critiqued.
Trust me I cried that evening too...the last thing I want to do is suck. No one does. We all want to be rockstars at this sport.
I also wanted to say that Fatchance has a great eye and is actually very, very, very. sweet. I have personally gone to her for advice and she is a positive person that is very knowledgable, and more then willing to help or offer advice.
I am by no means an expert, I just try to learn everything I can, but something that might help you is working on getting your horse to bend and break at the poll.
That is everything to getting a fluid barrel. To the average person my horse might look like he is real bendy and real broke at the poll, but when you add speed he starts to spit the bit. Just this week I had a great conversation with my trainer about making sure there is no resistence when you ask them to bend.
You want them to do this at each gate. A walk, a trot, a canter, and then at high speeds.
When they bend without resistance they will rate more naturally, and you will get better more fluid turns.
If you are not sure what that is ask someone or look it up. This is currently what I am working on with my horse. Good luck! Don't give up on your dreams.
You are in control of making them happen, and you are out there trying to better yourself which is awesome!
You never stop learning!
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 534
| Thank you guys! I really appreciate it! I will take everyone's advice, I'll have her a vet appointment hopefully next week. Once that is done and everything is ruled out for all I know its something minor that can be fixed with special care. I'm sending her back to the trainer for a month and then I'm getting lessons with her for a couple of weeks. I think she'll make a decent barrel horse when she's finished, the trainer told me that, the lady giving me lessons told me that and a few other people. Swear to god I am not even making this up but I have had offers on her too. There were a few people at the trainers who were help her and were letting them ride my horse. I kinda don't know what they see in her. I know she's hella fast just plain out in a full gallop. She loves to run on trails, so I thought I'd give her a job of it.
I really do want to help her out, because I really would like to barrel race her. I really like barrel racing. If I can't do it with her, I have my Arab and another mare they I may be buying next year. My mother told me last night its probably easier to concentrate on the one you have going because you might get farther. So, I'll take her to the vet, take her to the trainer, get lessons and we will come back later with a better video and a progress report. Thank you guys.
Edited by BaylenJaxs 2013-09-21 11:05 AM
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A Somebody to Everybody
Posts: 41354
Location: Under The Big Sky Of Texas | BaylenJaxs - 2013-09-21 11:04 AM Thank you guys! I really appreciate it! I will take everyone's advice, I'll have her a vet appointment hopefully next week. Once that is done and everything is ruled out for all I know its something minor that can be fixed with special care. I'm sending her back to the trainer for a month and then I'm getting lessons with her for a couple of weeks. I think she'll make a decent barrel horse when she's finished, the trainer told me that, the lady giving me lessons told me that and a few other people. Swear to god I am not even making this up but I have had offers on her too. There were a few people at the trainers who were help her and were letting them ride my horse. I kinda don't know what they see in her. I know she's hella fast just plain out in a full gallop. She loves to run on trails, so I thought I'd give her a job of it. I really do want to help her out, because I really would like to barrel race her. I really like barrel racing. If I can't do it with her, I have my Arab and another mare they I may be buying next year. My mother told me last night its probably easier to concentrate on the one you have going because you might get farther. So, I'll take her to the vet, take her to the trainer, get lessons and we will come back later with a better video and a progress report. Thank you guys.
You sound like you're a good kid and smart. Your mom gave you some good advice and glad to hear that your taking it. Have fun with your mare and please let us all know how its going for ya'll later in her training. | |
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The Advice Guru
Posts: 6419
| I haven't read all the comments but if some of this is repeated just filter.
For the horse not picking up the left lead, it could be ulcers, I had a four year old who over night refused to pick up or continue on l lead, she had ulcers, once that was treated she was back to her perfect self.
For your riding, you need to shorten your stirrups your toes are point down, not your heels, you are not staying balanced, you are flopping around causing your horse to go off balance, you are not using your feet properly.
Your reins are too long causing your hands to be out of position.
You are miscueing your horse at the half way mark around second barrel every time you turn it her head is going to the outside of the turn.
Your horses head and nose are too high, she is trying to evade the bit instead to give to the bit, and when she does give you do not offer a reward by releasing.
I would suggest good vet check then find a horsemanship trainer equitation trainer to teach you body positioning, as your horse is not rating at the barrel, and you are not sitting at the rate point, you need to learn the feel of your horse before you do barrels.
My horses get 2-3 months of exercise before I do barrels, during this time I do dry work in the field and I work on the bending flexing, rate, and my position | |
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 Over Informed
Posts: 5372
Location: West Tennessee | Nevertooold - 2013-09-20 10:20 PM So I just read the rest of your postings...
You are frustrated which in turn is frustrating your horse.
Things happen in life and you need to just ride and enjoy your horses and start doing exercises to strengthen your body back. When you get back to where you can ride without pain and can be balanced in your saddle is when you precede with training. You're making yourself and your horse crazy. Your young and have all kinds of time to barrel race. Concentrate on getting yourself well and that includes physically and mentally.
Quit beating yourself up. Take it one day at a time and there isn't a better bunch of people to help your reach your goals.
The best teacher's in the world don't blow butterflies up your butt...they are direct. If I was needing an instructor...FatChance would be my choice as I know she wouldn't let me make excuses nor let me be a slacker.
Let's start over...
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 I Am Always Right
Posts: 4264
Location: stray dump capital of the world | BaylenJaxs - 2013-09-20 10:50 PM Southtxponygirl - 2013-09-20 10:47 PM How long have you had her on the pattern? She looks green and lost to me, you need to be useing your legs more, shes drifting off the barrel on the back side, hold her in with your outside leg. And I would get my hands down, your hands are really high going around the barrels. And with her being barefoot and on harder ground I would think that shes being a little sensitive in the foot department. A whole year. From April last year till now. She went to the trainer back in April, she came back sick with Strangles she was out for 6 weeks and the training I put on her kinda went out the door considering it was only two weeks of training. I haven't really begun to work hard and get down to it until about 6 months ago. All we have been doing is trotting and loping in between barrels. So maybe if I got her to an arena she'd do better? I have no idea honestly.
I highlighted a couple of things here for you. You say she has been in training for over a year, but that isn't the case. (unless I have misread.) She was with a trainer for 2 weeks but then contracted strangles. Did you send her back to the trainer after the strangles episode? I'm not exactly sure when you broke your leg, but if it was between the strangles and now, then that takes out of the training process. I think you are getting some great advice, so make a "To Do" list of what recommendations have been made and check them off as you get them done. Honestly, I'd start at the vet, but you've said you plan on going there first.
As far as the broken leg, as NTO stated, you need to get yourself comfortable in the saddle again before you think about adding speed. I am coming off some broken bones and all I am doing right now is riding. I don't have the balance or the physical strength I had 6 months ago before my accident. My left leg is weak and can barely get me up in the saddle much less balance me at a greater speed. It goes numb after I am in the saddle a while. I am trail riding and long trotting to build up my endurance along with getting my horses and myself back into shape.
Best of luck to you... | |
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 Potato Soup Queen
Location: Alabama | I only watched a small portion of your video...FC is right, your horse doesn't have a clue of what's going on. She doesn't even keep "under herself" or "collected" (not sure which term your more familiar with) in the turns, just like a green horse that has no clue of what to do or how to do it. Solution: RIDING LESSONS and lots of them. To be honest, your best bet would be some dressage lessons, even if you wish to run barrels in the future. You're heavy in the saddle and bouncing and too much on your horses head with your hands. I give you credit for coming here asking for help and posting a video for critique. You'll get there, it's a matter of learning one step at a time. When we were babies, we learned to stand, then walk, then run (I hope you get the drift of what I am saying). You need lessons to get better at horsemanship skills, then you can begin to "ask" and "teach" your horse to do different things with you and for you. Until then, you will get frustrated and frustrate your horse in the process. I did not watch the whole video, so others might be right that your horse might also have a soreness issue. | |
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 Sock eating dog owner
Posts: 4553
Location: Where the pavement ends and the West begins Utah | Since you have another horse let that one heal. You can practice your skills on the arab. First of all shorten your reins. get the book by Sharon Camarillo the art of barrel racing.$25.00. It has all the basic information on how to along with photos of what is being describe so it will be easy to learn. It is put out by western horseman. You might be able to get it at a library, along with other books so it wouldn't cost you but time. While your standing on the ground bend your knees slightly as if you were in the saddle and twist slightly to the left and back and slighty to the right and back that should give you an idea on how your to use your legs. good luck | |
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Blessed 
Location: Here | dianeguinn - 2013-09-20 8:05 PM Probably needs to go to the vet. When a horse doesn't want to take a lead or crossfires or switches in the turn or coming out of the turn, they're usually sore. That's probably also why she's rough.
I agree.
Your horse is off on the left rear.
Your horse is trying to listen to you.
Your horse also looks hollowed out in the back therefore throwing nose out.
Vet and lessons and I bet your have a new horse. | |
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Blessed
Location: Here | Farrierlady - 2013-09-21 4:00 PM I only watched a small portion of your video...FC is right, your horse doesn't have a clue of what's going on. She doesn't even keep "under herself" or "collected" (not sure which term your more familiar with) in the turns, just like a green horse that has no clue of what to do or how to do it. Solution: RIDING LESSONS and lots of them. To be honest, your best bet would be some dressage lessons, even if you wish to run barrels in the future. You're heavy in the saddle and bouncing and too much on your horses head with your hands. I give you credit for coming here asking for help and posting a video for critique. You'll get there, it's a matter of learning one step at a time. When we were babies, we learned to stand, then walk, then run (I hope you get the drift of what I am saying). You need lessons to get better at horsemanship skills, then you can begin to "ask" and "teach" your horse to do different things with you and for you. Until then, you will get frustrated and frustrate your horse in the process. I did not watch the whole video, so others might be right that your horse might also have a soreness issue.
Great advice as well | |
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 Hero of the Year
Posts: 10767
Location: Haslet, Texas | I just got the time to set down and watch the video. What I see is a horse that is not really athletically put together. She just can't figure out how to make her hind end work etc...horses that are put together right will naturally work, even at the green stage. It's something that you can feel, like you know they have planted that inside back foot and are preparing to turn. They know
now how to make it easy on themselves. If you like this mare for trail riding, then by all means use her for that. Not every horse is made to ride trails, some get antsy and just don't like it. | |
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 Veteran
Posts: 253
Location: SoCal | Fun2Run - 2013-09-20 8:38 PM
OK, here's my 2 cents.
I think you ride OK. And I understand about coming back after an injury. It really messes with your balance.
I didn't look for any lameness - I just watched how the horse is built and travels.
She has a short neck. Short necked horses do better going straighter into their turns. Cranking their noses around throws them on their front ends. If she were mine, I'd concentrate more on keeping her a little straighter and not starting my turn until your leg gets even with the barrel, then push her forward into her turns with your legs and guide her head and neck without pulling on her.
Good luck with her. I'd hate to have had video and internet 35 years ago when I was re-learning how to run barrels.
I'm gonna go out on a limb and slightly disagree with this. You had a slight bend going into the first and she did good. But going into second, she looks really straight and never engaged her hind end which made her swing off in the turn and end up with you having a hard time getting her back in line.
I'd ask her for shape going into the turn (nose to barrel, hip tilted in) and then quiet your hands though the turn. I don't think you should crank her nose or head going in, but it looks like her nose is pointing away from the barrel. No need to crank her head toward the barrel, but I do think you should tip her nose a bit. It may or may not work, but looking at the video, she looks like she was getting thrown into her turns to the left a bit, causing it to look like she was really unbalanced. Maybe keep her neck straight but try to just tip her nose and get that hip under her for support though the turn.
I too wasn't really paying attention to if she looks lame(maybe a little sore though), more on how you rode her at the different turns, and this is what I saw. It may or may not work, but it could be worth a try. When you go to the left, it looks like you always let her straighten up and then really turn her head in, which throws her body out around the barrel. For your hands, maybe try putting a string on your horn, and hold on to that. It'll prevent you from getting your hands too high or too out in the middle of no where. | |
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 Voice of Reason
Location: NOT at Wal Mart | I have not read all the reply's, so if I am saying the same thing, carry on. You need to go back to basics. Get the horse working off his hinny. You're getting too much face, that will hurt you when you start going faster. He's rubber necking you. Start with 180's then 360's, lateral marches, square your barrels, funnels and fence work. When you turn the barrel and he gets off his rear, right then do a 360 and get him back on his butt, then complete the turn. lots of work, but it will pay off in the end. If you cant afford a trainer, get some DVD's about barrel's. Good luck>
Edited by justcruzin 2013-09-22 5:55 PM
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