A. Most of the time this is a result of not using your inside leg (the leg closest to the barrel) to control your horse. Many riders will rubber band their feet in and then lift their leg at the barrel. All this does is allow the horse to drop his shoulder and hit barrels.

The proper approach is to have control of your horse’s head, neck and shoulder prior to the turn. This is accomplished by applying inside rein pressure while actively using your inside leg (spur) to lift your horses shoulder while rounding his body.

Another reason for hitting barrels is that your pocket may be too large. I like to use three to five feet on my approach into the turn (distance between my horse’s shoulder and body from the barrel). This distance is determined by the size of your horse. Larger horses need more room going in.

Before the turn, I gather my horse with both hands on the reins. If you use one hand, you are more likely to encourage your horse to throw his hip out, drop his shoulder and hit a barrel. Slowing down too early for the turn will also result in hitting barrels because it takes your horse’s momentum away. I like to gather the reins and prepare for the turn 5 to 10 feet before the turn, depending on the size of my horse. The larger your horse, the more time you need to prepare for the turn.

Make sure you have schooled your horse about yielding from leg pressure as to flex from the rib cage when going around a barrel. You need to be able to control every part of your horse before you can expect him to run a barrel pattern with ease.

The post Knocking Over Barrels appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

Q. What is the best way to increase my young horse’s flexibility for barrel racing?

A. Choosing the right bit and using your leg pressure effectively will help your horse build flexibility and bend. A horse must understand that you want him to give from the rib cage, as well as his neck, so proper hands and effective leg work is very important.

The bit I prefer for these exercises is a D-ring snaffle. Remember: On a snaffle bit, your reins attach closer to the corner of the horse’s mouth which will result in more bend than with a shanked leverage bit. Keep in mind that when you ask for bend, apply inside leg pressure along with rein tension to show your horse that he needs to shape his body in a half circle.

I like to ride with shanked and rowelled spurs during my training sessions to increase the sensitivity of the sides of the horse (for riders with solid leg position only). To use the spurs correctly, point your toes out, heels down and apply pressure with your calf while extending your heel (that your spur is on) until the results you want are acquired. Remember: You don’t have to use your spurs all the time even if you are wearing them. You then have the option to use your spurs when going at a controlled speed. If your foot is parallel to your horse’s side, then you won’t be using your spurs. The position of your rein hand is important in controlling the hip. For proper balance, keep your hand as high as your hip bone—never below this height. And make certain that the outside rein is loose.

Liked this article? Here’s more barrel racing advice from Marlene McRae:
Stop Knocking Over Barrels
Build Speed for a Faster Barrel Racing Time

The post Increase Barrel Racing Flexibility appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

Q. My barrel horse will not stop completely or turn after I pass the finish line. What can I do about this?

A: You have to practice just like you want you horse to be at a competition. I like to circle off to one corner of the arena if the gate is closed. If it is a center alley, some horses will gather speed at the mouth of the alley. Do not pull straight back and never try to stop with one hand on the reins. Instead, ride with two hands and always see-saw your reins when stopping. Take a deep breath and sit deep in your saddle; this will relax your horse and help you stop. At times, I have had horses run off in the alley because of soundness problems, too, so make certain your horse is sound by having a well-qualified equine veterinarian examine him.

Remember, the race is over at this point, so relax and take your time stopping.

Liked this article? Here’s more barrel racing advice:
Controlling the Barrel Horse
Barrel Racing Troubleshooter

The post Make a Complete Stop After a Barrel Run appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

A: Having a well-conditioned athlete is the first step to getting your horse to run to his maximum ability.  I like to work my horse every day for the first eight weeks of training, and then decrease the training to four days a week.  The distance I train and the pace I go are the secrets to a well-conditioned horse that has the ability to run faster during a barrel racing competition. 

Condition your horse in long, straight lines whenever possible, as circles are physically hard on a horse.   Here is my conditioning program broken down into each step:

• Trot one mile
• Lope one mile on one lead
• Lope one more mile on the opposite lead
• The fourth mile: Long trot the first half mile then slow trot the last half mile.

NOTE: Do not walk in between paces.

This totals four miles, which I feel is the optimum distance for building a well-conditioned equine athlete in barrel racing or any event. I want to keep the heart rate up and work it, then bring the heart rate slowly back down. Every third day, I sprint my horse after the third mile in a straight line for about 400 yards. 

You will be impressed how your horse’s muscle tone will change with this type of conditioning program.  Before long, you will find that your horse feels like running and will be quicker around the turns and faster in the straightaways.

The post Build Speed for a Faster Barrel Racing Time appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.