As you begin riding, learning how to turn your horse is an essential skill. While certain riders prefer neck reining, using direct (or plow) reining is a simpler method to execute turns. Direct reining involves holding one rein in each hand, with cues from the left hand to instruct a left turn and cues from the right hand to instruct a right turn. As you improve your riding abilities, you … [Read more...]

If you're unsure about which brand of Barrel saddle to choose, don't fret as we have provided a list of the top 3 most popular barrel saddle brands. 3 Most Popular Barrel Saddle Brands 1) Big Horn The Big Horn Barrel racer saddle, which is our top-selling saddle for barrel racing, boasts a dropped rigging that ensures improved fit and contact. 2) Circle Y Y Circle is a well-known … [Read more...]

Date Event Location 8/1/2023 Diamond $ Tuesday Night (305 hits) DREXEL, MO 8/1/2023 August Barrel Series (99 hits) Vinita, OK 8/1/2023 SECCC - SPRINGFIELD FAIR (22 hits) sPRINGFIELD, CO 8/2/2023 OWASSO RUC & WILDNOTIONS FALL CASHRUN / BONUS QUALIFIER … [Read more...]

In order for a horse to be able to slide, spin, or rollback safely, it is necessary for the horse to be in peak physical fitness. Matt Mills, a reining horse trainer from Arizona, builds a horse's physical fitness by conducting conditioning sessions that focus on enhancing the horse's cardiovascular capacity, endurance, and its ability to execute the maneuvers required to successfully finish a … [Read more...]

Imagine the exhilarating experience of riding a horse at top speed, performing intricate patterns around the perimeter of an arena, causing dirt to scatter in every direction. The adrenaline rush intensifies as your horse gallops at an impressive rate of 3.9 meters per second. This particular style of western riding is known as reining, requiring the rider to skillfully guide their horse through a … [Read more...]

Watching reining horses compete is awe-inspiring due to their precise patterns and slides, but nothing compares to the remarkable speed at which they execute their lightning-fast spins. The primary objectives in performing the spin include maintaining speed, accuracy, and ensuring that the horse's hind foot remains fixated as it rotates around it. However, in order to train a horse to excel in … [Read more...]

In this discussion, we aim to address the issue of hitting barrels and suggest tips to prevent it. A common cause of barrel hitting is individuals fixating solely on the barrel. It is crucial to maintain proper posture and focus your gaze forward. It is often advised to direct your sight between your horse's ears instead of directly at the barrel. Remember to look upwards, not at the barrel. Do … [Read more...]

Before you rush towards your first barrel, it is important to acknowledge that a significant amount of work is done behind the scenes. If proper preparation is not undertaken prior to the rodeo, achieving fast barrel times will be unlikely. Kelly Murphy, a trainer and participant in barrel racing from Kentucky, has devised a list of 10 tips to aid in maximizing the performance of your rodeo horse. … [Read more...]

The system of traditional horse training developed from when we first domesticated horses, and it included early forms of reins, bridles, and bits to restrain and instruct the horse. In military history, traditional methods were employed for training cavalry horses in the past. Presently, institutions such as the Spanish Riding School and British Horse Society continue to teach using these … [Read more...]

For numerous amateur western riders, the ultimate feat to accomplish is the reining spin. However, learning certain maneuvers without the guidance of a reining trainer can pose a challenge. Today, we will focus on a specific approach to achieve a reining spin by following a series of steps involving three exercises: the backing exercise, the star exercise, and the spiral exercise. The … [Read more...]