barrel racing tips please!?

Question

So we have our county fair coming up real soon & they have horse shows and stuff. Every year I do pretty good but there are a few people I'd really like to beat this year. Have any pointers to run the fastest time?
Thanks :)

Answer 1

If you don't work your horse then you will just have a hyper horse with energy that you can't focus. Plus workouts help build the strength to give your horse the power.



I would do a lot of trotting since that builds muscle which can help with the quick power needed foor barrel racing. Circling while trotting can keep him focused, stretching and working out building the right muscles for tight barrel turns.



Always try for a wide turn when you start the barrel so when you turn around the back you can stay tight and create a straight line to the next barrel. The quickest way to complete it is straight lines so the tighter the last part of your barrel turn the quicker your pattern.



Trying supplements for joints can help keep your horse supple and strong in just a demanding sport. Trying an energy supplement like Red Cell or a B Complex Vitamin can also help your horse with long term energy and stregth.



Warm up with trotting circles and long trotting, perfect for muscles and stretching. Try not to canter too too much the day of since it is a more tiring gait.



Practice your pattern while keeping your horse in shape and healthy can make for a fun and fast pattern!

Good Luck! Have Fun!

Answer 2

So, barrel racing eh? It is a entire lot of a laugh. pleased you desire to take aspect. So right here is a few recommendation I have discovered via classes. Definitly begin from stroll to trot to canter. I will begin with trot. So you are going to be doing the clover leaf sample correct? Lets say you cross to the left barrel first take the primary aspect broad and get particularly tight as you cross round. Then head to the correct one and do the equal. Very major: KEEP YOUR EYES UP! appear forward now not on the barrel. I determined this rough, but when you do not appear on the barrel you do so much bigger. Anyway whilst you head to the highest one take it broad after which reduce in sharp. As you get bigger begin loping the residence streach. Gradually whilst your horse is taking the barrel on the trot particularly good, you'll canter him. Make definite your horse is aware of main alterations. It is very nearly the equal as on the trot however you have got to get the lead difference. I have not performed barrel racing often on the canter so I cannot inform you so much approximately it. Anyway that is a few of my recommendation. Good Luck wish you could have a laugh. Oh ya I forgot to say whilst you canter and might be even trot you will have to positioned a few kind of boot safety to your horses legs. As those speedy barrels can positioned pressure on them. I could say search out a instructor, even supposing it's only as soon as a month. Have a laugh.

Answer 3

Dont run too many barrel patterns from now until the fair, this will sour your horse and take away the fun from barrel racing for your horse, making him less likely to WANT to run well for you.



Since he is a barrel horse, and is likely used to working in a ring, take him on trail rides, only at a walk and jog (you dont want him tripping or stumbling and hurt himself before the fair!)



Stay light on his face, turn mostly with your seat and your legs--too much face pressure will cause him to shoulder in and cut the barrel too tight and thus knocking it over.



Pocket your barrel--come in a bit wider so your horse is able to cut around the back half of the barrel tightly and line up for the next barrel better.



STRAIGHT LINES---from barrel to barrel, your lines inbetween should be as straight as possible---the shortest distance from A- to B is a straight line :D And it really is.



Keep pushing all the way home, right until the timer line, don't let your horse slack off 1/2 way home it will add time to your run---your horse (hopefully) knows how to stop well, and will do so when asked to---you only need 25 feet to stop a full out horse, remember if you aren't using a chute to enter the ring, curve along the fence to avoid running into the gate at the end of your run---much safer for everyone.



Before your class starts, warm up by jogging (first on loose rein, then once your horse is warm, collect him and ask for a slower jog to warm up his muscles more)---lope on both leads, get him listening to you, tuned in to your commands and not what is going on around you---transition up and down through gaits, including lope to stop....only warm up until your horse's neck is warm to the touch---after this, keep him walking around until your run--dont just stand in the holding pen (which will allow his muscles time to stiffen up and become cold again)---if you are near the end of your class, about 1/2 way through the class do a few jogging circles by your trailer to make sure he stays warmed up and supple---







Hope I helped :)



Good Luck!



Turn N Burn!!!



BB

Answer 4

exercise your horse not alot but a little, just to get him worked up and loose, when you go to turn into a barrel make sure you pick your inside rein up to lift his shoulder up..

Answer 5

stay easy on the horses mouth and just let them run. Remember to go in big and out small around the barrel:P

Answer 6

dont work you horse much before the show that way he will be ready to run!!!