Problem Solving Tips in Barrel Racing - Part I

Every month I receive over 100 emails from people having problems with their barrel horses. My first suggestion to most of the questions is for them to check their saddle fit, check their horses teeth and check to make sure their horse isn't in any type of pain anywhere. Something as small as an ill fitted saddle can cause major problems in a horses performance. After the possibility that your horse isn't in any type of pain, we move on to the lack of a solid foundation and training issues. Here are some common barrel racing problems and some exercises to fix them.

Running Past the First Barrel

Your first barrel is a different set up and turn then the other two. At the barrel you are coming in at a full out run from the start. You also turn this barrel at a different angle than the others. This barrel is called the ?money barrel? because if you knock this barrel, your run is over with, if you leave it standing, you have a good chance of bringing home some money.

The reason many barrel horses run past the first barrel is because the lack of rate. Since they are charging full force, some seasoned barrel horses tend to get too aggressive about this barrel. To fix this you need to go back in your training and work on rate with your horse. Work on asking your horse to slowly trot or lope to the barrel. When you get to your rate point, ask your horse to stop and back up. By doing this your horse will learn to listen to your cues when you ask him to slow down for the barrel.

Rating or Ducking out the Second Barrel

When you come off the first barrel and are heading to the second, you are running straight at a fence. Some horses have a problem with this and will tend to turn to early at the second barrel. A good solution is to try putting the barrels in an open area such as a field and taking your horse through the pattern. Also, work in an arena loping your horse straight to a fence and ask them to stop at the fence. Mix in stopping at the fence and turning at the fence, but only turning the direction you ask. Pretty soon your horse will be asking you what you want him to do, stop, turn left or turn right. When your horse looks to you for direction, you are ready to run a solid barrel pattern.

Coming Wide off the Third Barrel

This is a common problem because the horse knows this is the final turn before they get to dig for home. The rider also knows it and their anticipation can also allow the horse to come with off of this barrel. If your horse is just in training, or if you sometimes do practice runs to tune your horse up, never run back from the barrel. Always complete the turn and head to the fence and come along the fence back to the start/finish line. Doing this completes the barrel turn for the horse and also for the rider. Another good exercise is too set up a few barrels in no particular pattern, and have your horse turn them in your order. Doing this will help the horse listen to you when you want him to turn, and not just drill a pattern into his head.

Dropping the Shoulder into the Barrel

If your horse has a habit of knocking barrels over, one of the common causes is a dropped shoulder. This exercise is a good way to help your horse pick up his shoulder. While going to the barrel aim your horse for the normal rate point and the point where you would ask your horse to start turning the barrel. At this point, ask your horse to turn the opposite direction away from the barrel. Do a complete turn so you are facing back the direction you came. Ride back a ways and turn again aiming for the barrel. You can repeat this exercise if you feel your horse again dropping into the barrel.

Wanting to Go back to Start after the First or Second Barrel

A very common problem in barrel horses. They will come around the first or second barrel and want to head right back to the ?Out? gate. There are a few ways to try to deal with this problem. The most important thing is be ready for it. Don't let your horse think he has gotten the best of you by doing this. An exercise to try is setting the pattern up the opposite way then you usually do. In other words, put the first and second barrels on the side of the arena that the third barrel usually is, so you are coming into the pattern from the other side of the arena. Just by a change of scenery may help your horse to listen to what you are asking of them. Another thing to try is having a crop or quirt in your hand. It should be on the side your horse usually goes to after turning the barrel. So if your horse comes around the second barrel and tries to go right instead of going left to the third barrel, hold the crop in your right hand. You probably wont need to use it, just hold it there as a barrier. If your horse gets really pushy, lay it on his neck as a more forceful barrier. For the training aspect of this problem, try setting up barrels in no particular pattern and having your horse go through the pattern you set in your mind. If you want to turn a barrel to the left, you ask your horse to do it. If you want to run by a barrel, your horse should do it with no hesitation. You two need to be partners in this, but your horse should also look to you for guidance.

Not Entering the Arena

A horse that will not enter the arena for a run is a ring sour and/or barrel sour horse. This horse has probably been run too much on barrels. The best thing is too take this horse off of barrels for a while. The reason for this is a horse that refuses to enter the arena can become dangerous. They can rear up, bolt, spin, try to do anything but go in the arena, and most of the time they do not care who is in their way. The best thing to do is go on trail riders, do anything but barrels. You can also work in the arena without the barrels there. This gets the horse comfortable with just walking in the arena and playing around instead of having to run, run, run.

When your horse if comfortable walking into the arena, set the barrels up in there, but don't pay attention to them. Act like you don't even see them. Play around a little in the ring, then just ride out. Do this a few days, then ask your horse to go around the barrels a slow pace. Try to only do this once. Than ride around the ring a little and end the session for that day. After this, try doing a slow test run with your horse. Just lope slowly through the pattern once and that's it. If your horse did this willingly, walking into the arena and didn't try to bolt when you set up to do the barrels, try taking your horse to a show and see how they do. Just stay calm, be confident that your horse will walk into the arena calmly and ready to run.

Not Stopping at the End of a Run

If your horse has no brakes, you really shouldn't be running at all. If is extremely dangerous to not have control of your horse. Work on getting your horse to listen to you at slower gaits. As you progress, move up in speed until you feel comfortable and confident that you can control your horse at any speed he is going. Also, just because your horse will not stop, doesn't mean you need to get a harsher bit on your horse, but sometimes a bit change is necessary. If you are looking to change bits and not sure what to try, contact a professional to help you in your decision.