Barrel racing can be trained for by most horses, but the likelihood of winning is dependent on various factors. Ideally, a successful barrel horse should have a height between 15 and 15.2 hands and proper proportionality. Additionally, a liking for running is necessary. While quarter horses are commonly seen in top barrel competitions due to the Western nature of the sport, crossbreeds such as appendix quarter horses, which are a mix of thoroughbred and quarter horse, also perform well. It is essential for any potential barrel horse to be in good health, as the sport requires rigorous work.
Basic Training
Before practicing with barrels, it is important that your horse is responsive to basic leg and hand pressure. If your horse is well-trained, this should not be a problem, but if you have a young or inexperienced horse, it is recommended to start with groundwork. Your horse should be able to yield to pressure and move laterally to the side in both directions. Once you are in the saddle, focus on practicing circles with your horse. These exercises can be done in a ring or while riding on a trail. Circles are essential in barrel racing.
The Outside Rein
The outside rein is crucial in both dressage and barrel racing as stated by top barrel racer Sharon Camarillo on Equisearch.com. It aids in maintaining balance, controlling speed, and influencing the horse’s body and head. While Western riders typically hold the reins in one hand, barrel racers must learn to support their horses during each barrel approach by using both hands, placing one on each side of the horse’s neck. Camarillo emphasizes that utilizing the outside rein can significantly impact the efficiency of a turn and contribute to a successful run.
Rating
The ability to accurately assess your horse’s performance or manage his speed is crucial in determining the success or failure of barrel racing. The initial barrel, also known as the money barrel in this sport, typically has a significant impact on the overall result of your ride. As a horse becomes more experienced in barrel racing, it is prone to becoming overly enthusiastic and charging towards the first barrel without paying attention to your signals. It is essential to avoid this situation and not rely solely on instinctive reactions. If your horse starts to take control, it is important to review the fundamentals and engage in practice sessions until it regains its responsiveness.
BONUS: Hot to Train A Barrel Horse Beginning at a Walk
Before commencing any barrel practice, it is crucial to ensure that your horse is warmed up and has expended some of its energy, thus leading to a state of complete calmness and attentiveness throughout the session. Running a horse in a spirited state is strongly discouraged. Therefore, it is advisable to engage your horse in some form of exercise prior to entering the practice or competition arena. This precautionary measure is aimed at preventing your horse from associating barrels with excitement, as this may result in undesirable behavior preceding or during your run in the future. When encountering the barrel, your horse might exhibit impulsive behavior by wanting to initiate movement immediately or display reluctance by refusing to pass through the gate.
You should not always do the same warm-up each time, think step by step. Mix it up by going on a trail, doing a long trot, canter, or a combination of these exercises.
It is essential to initiate a horse on barrels by walking. Prior to initiating this process, it is important to have a well-defined plan in order to guarantee success for both you and your horse.
When you approach your barrel
Take a step towards the barrel.
Make sure to halt your horse with a distance of approximately 4 feet between the horse and the barrel.
Reverse your horse a few steps.
Instruct him to place his head.
Ask him to take a walk around the barrel, ensuring that there is approximately 4 feet of space left around the entire barrel.
In the initial stages, go around it about 4-5 times, but as your horse progresses, you can reduce the number. However, always ensure to go around at least twice as it will help train your horse to complete its turns. It is important to maintain a relatively consistent distance throughout.
Proceed to your second barrel, repeating these steps in a systematic manner.
Please repeat the same process for the third barrel, without adding or removing any steps.
When you exit the third barrel, make sure to walk your horse to the fence.
When practicing barrels, it is recommended to follow the listed steps. It is important to practice going in both directions to ensure equal muscle growth and improve turns to the left and right. Practice should be done approximately four times a week for a month, with the other three days dedicated to trails or other activities unrelated to barrels. It is essential to warm up the horse before starting practice and to vary the starting exercises, not always beginning with barrels.
To start your ride, you can either begin with a trail or start with the barrels. Horses appreciate routines, but they can become bored if they do the same work repeatedly. Therefore, it is essential to vary their activities. After approximately one month of walking, give your horse a break from the barrels and engage in other activities. Then, after another month, resume practicing the barrels while also incorporating walking. If you notice that your horse remembers the pattern and seems prepared, you can transition to trotting.
