|
|
 BHW Professional
Posts: 74
Location: Texas | concho - 2011-10-26 7:15 PM If a horse suddenly becomes more difficult about picking up their right lead, what would you look at first?
Really young horses (2 or 3), sometimes just wake up in a new world and need more help. If the horse is older, I would definitely go to the vet. Sudden behaviour changes are definitely red flags and often are signs that the horse is having pain somewhere. |
|
| |
|
Tell It Like It Is
Posts: 22025
 
Location: Wyoming | Hi Dena,
Thank you for visiting with us today. I love your DVD's
I am having some trouble with 1st. I can see what I don't like but am not sure how to fix it. Maybe I am not letting him get past the barrel far enough?
Would you mind taking a look at this video if you have time? Sorry about the quality, but its all I have that is recent.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qU5MFQHqKNM&feature=youtu.be
Thanks,
Jeri.
edited to add: That this is a young horse that I have only been running for a year.
Edited by realitycheck 2011-10-27 10:24 AM
|
|
| |
|
 
| There are many different opinions on futurity horses and their futures. Many feel that very few futurity horses go on to become open/rodeo horses, as they were run at a young age. Some feel that they will not last as long physically or mentally. Personally, I don't feel that statistics support any of these opinions, but what is your opinion? |
|
| |
|
 Peecans
| Hello.
My question is about pepearing a colt for furturities. I have a two year old colt that im really excited about and wanted to futuritie myself i have trained my rodeo horses but that was not on a timeline as i just started to go when they were ready. My question is, what time line do you like to try and fllow. I know every horse is diffrent but when i worked in the cutting barn there was a definite secdule some horses were faster some slower but at the end of the day they had to be ready to show on such and such a date. My colt is started really nicley. soft in the face and ribs knows his leads ext. He will be used all winter checking the feed lot and in the spring to calve the cows by my husband to get him more broke.
Im not expecting to win with him but i want the chalange of having him ready to run. Up here all the futurities are for 4/5. So thats 2-3 years away. any insite on your time line would be great, i hope i explained my self well.
Thank you for taking the time to answer our questions.
|
|
| |
|
 Dust Bunny
Posts: 6541
Location: Colorado | Hello,
If you have a horse that runs in a draw bit and a tie down, what bit would suggestion for dry work? I am primarily concerned about keeping her light, and flexing. The tie down seems to stiffen her up a bit, but she is a horse that truly requires it for balance.
Thank you! |
|
| |
|
BHW Professional
Posts: 74
Location: Texas | tThompson - 2011-10-26 10:40 AM Not sure if I will be able to be on here when she is, so I am hoping I can post my question already..
Dena, I love your training style. My question is, what do you expect from your colts before they see barrels? Also, when training a futurity horse, How much time off do you usually give them? I'm sending one away next spring as a 3 yr old, and am curious if he will be ready for the 5 yr old futurities..
Thank you~~
Thanks so much! :)
I like for my colts to be able to frame up really well, be light in their face, and be laterally flexible before I start them on barrels. I do keep in mind that they are young and that these skills will improve with age and strength, so it's a building process. These particular skills will make it possible for me to position their bodies so that the turns are comfortable and smooth. As far as time off... I let my horses tell me when they need a break. If I detect stress, I will give a few days off. I try to be really intuitive so I will notice even the smallest signs of stress. This way a few days is all they need to recover, and hopefully any serious problems can be avoided. You should have time to get him ready for the 5 yr old futurities. |
|
| |
|
 Member
Posts: 37
Location: South Dakota | Hi Dena, I have a horse that runs very chargy and wont rate... He is very calm outside of the arena but when he gets in he thinks he needs to fly and than wont rate at the barrels. He is big and strong and has a lot of power and ive just ran out of suggestions... he can basically run through any bit. Any suggestions? Thanks. |
|
| |
|
BHW Professional
Posts: 74
Location: Texas | graciemay - 2011-10-27 10:30 AM Hello,
If you have a horse that runs in a draw bit and a tie down, what bit would suggestion for dry work? I am primarily concerned about keeping her light, and flexing. The tie down seems to stiffen her up a bit, but she is a horse that truly requires it for balance.
Thank you!
I use a Loomis gag exclusively, when I need a draw bit. To keep her light and flexible, you could use a ring snaffle and no tie-down. A snaffle is direct contact with the corners, which makes it a good bit to use to lighten up a horse's mouth. And not using the tie-down for dry work will help you to keep her flexible. |
|
| |
|
 I'll Eat Anything
Posts: 7680
Location: Texas | I hope I'm not to late for this, but....
What is the one bit you would never use/least favorite?
Thanks for visiting us!
 |
|
| |
|
Veteran
Posts: 221
Location: Canada | Hey Dena
What exercises do you do to get a horse more handy with themselves? And what can a person do to free a horse up between the barrels? I have a mare that is broke to death but craves the turn, she will run in as hard as she can into first but after that she slows right down to almost a fast lope, I have sprinted her out in the fields and its not a problem there, I also dont like to be an aggressive rider in the pattern so if there is any way to teach them to do it on their own? |
|
| |
|
Elite Veteran
Posts: 1114
Location: CA | What do you think a bonnet tie down is best used for, what type of horse? Meaning what kind of horse would you put it on, or do you ever use one? Also, would you use a nylon one or rope one? |
|
| |
|
Elite Veteran
Posts: 1114
Location: CA | Do you have any plans for upcoming clinics in Colorado? |
|
| |
|
 Extreme Veteran
Posts: 303
| Hi Dena - I am very interested in getting involved in the the futurities and assuming that my prospect is ready to go, which futurities in the Oklahoma area would you recommend as a good starting place? |
|
| |
|
BHW Professional
Posts: 74
Location: Texas | barrelracer7712 - 2011-10-27 10:37 AM Hi Dena, I have a horse that runs very chargy and wont rate... He is very calm outside of the arena but when he gets in he thinks he needs to fly and than wont rate at the barrels. He is big and strong and has a lot of power and ive just ran out of suggestions... he can basically run through any bit. Any suggestions? Thanks.
It sounds like you are letting him make his own arrangements. This is a very difficult problem and it sounds like you have tried lots of different things. Getting a different bit does not work when the horse is not respecting anything. It is not easy, but it is possible to remind him how to be respectful and to lighten his mouth up. It is good that he is calm, but pay close attention to how easy or hard it is for you to stop him. At home and away from the barrel pattern, make sure you can stop him with very little effort. Make sure that you can walk, trot, and lope any size circles easily. Make sure that he is REALLY listening to your body and your hands. Then, when you are sure YOU are the boss, take him to a race and just exhibition him slowly. If he tries to take off.... stop him and go slow. Hopefully, in time, you can regain his respect.  |
|
| |
|
 Expert
Posts: 2258
| Hi, Thanks for coming on and answering questions. I hope I can load my video of my mare if you have time to watch it. She is a 5yr old just started running this year and have less than 20 runs on her . She is running 1D and mostly 2D times, 17.6 ish on a standard. I am having some trouble blowing out of 2nd going to 3rd, I have been wondering about changing direction on her. She is hot, and can't warm up with to many horses. I don't do alot of practice on barrels but do alot of riding on her and try to do exercises to help get body control. I think she is pretty talented, I am just getting back into running after about 15 years away, so I need more help than she does.
I can't do my video. Thanks if you have suggestions on exercises or a possible bit change. I have her in a snaffle or a short shanked small ported myler bit.
Edited by cutnrunqhmt 2011-10-27 11:45 AM
|
|
| |
|
Dust Bunny
Posts: 6541
Location: Colorado | allaboutme - 2011-10-27 10:01 AM Do you have any plans for upcoming clinics in Colorado?
I would love to know the answer to this as well. |
|
| |
|
Impressive!!
Posts: 1954
Location: Idaho | Hi Dena!
So excited your on here. My question concerns my 4 year old futurity horse for 2012. She is very mature, well broke, great foundation mare. When I started her on the pattern I used a loose ring snaffle. She worked pretty well, but since I've never run in a snaffle, I figured I needed to get a lifter or gag bit on her... I tried many different light bits (Simplicity, Loomis gag, etc...) and she started having issues. Finally, I moved back into the snaffle for an exhibition with a tie down and she worked so well...
My question is do you think its ok to compete in a loose ring snaffle? I have always felt out of control, and even with her, she is super fast, but rates hard, so I know we wont pass a barrel... but it makes me a little nerves. I have the tie down on for balance, its loose. Also, I have always like to do dry work in a snaffle on all my horses and then they have their competition bit, now she doesn't...
|
|
| |
|
BHW Professional
Posts: 74
Location: Texas | allaboutme - 2011-10-27 10:56 AM What do you think a bonnet tie down is best used for, what type of horse? Meaning what kind of horse would you put it on, or do you ever use one? Also, would you use a nylon one or rope one?
I have used a bonnet on a few horses in the past. Horses that have naturally high head sets, sometimes call U-neck, can benefit from using a bonnet. When I have used them, they were the nylon and fit behind the ears and over the brow bone. These days, I try to frame the horses up more which helps them develop muscles that keep their heads down before resorting to a bonnet. I am not opposed to using one, and they will not stiffen a horse up as much as a tie-down will. Hope this helps. |
|
| |
|
BHW Professional
Posts: 74
Location: Texas | flyhperformancehorse - 2011-10-27 11:14 AM Hi Dena!
So excited your on here. My question concerns my 4 year old futurity horse for 2012. She is very mature, well broke, great foundation mare. When I started her on the pattern I used a loose ring snaffle. She worked pretty well, but since I've never run in a snaffle, I figured I needed to get a lifter or gag bit on her... I tried many different light bits (Simplicity, Loomis gag, etc...) and she started having issues. Finally, I moved back into the snaffle for an exhibition with a tie down and she worked so well...
My question is do you think its ok to compete in a loose ring snaffle? I have always felt out of control, and even with her, she is super fast, but rates hard, so I know we wont pass a barrel... but it makes me a little nerves. I have the tie down on for balance, its loose. Also, I have always like to do dry work in a snaffle on all my horses and then they have their competition bit, now she doesn't...
There is nothing wrong with running in a snaffle. I always say...If it isn't broke, don't fix it. lol Some horses don't like gag bits. I have had several horses that just ran in snaffles, (Ima Nonstop Princess, Letta Hank Do It, A American Rose, etc). Bo Hill has won on lots of horses in ring snaffles!! Just make sure to keep her light. I would alternate between different mouth pieces...one for dry work and one for competition. |
|
| |
|
BHW Professional
Posts: 74
Location: Texas | Sockittoemred - 2011-10-26 10:38 AM Wahoo! Awesome! Love the one smooth motion video snippits on youtube! I'm saving to buy the full set!
THANKS  They are fun to do. |
|
| |
Folks on-line