SubscribeGift a Sub
Enable cache 100
Horse Speed Events

Make a Complete Stop After a Barrel Run

 



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

View Comments

  • So, I've always been told to never see-saw the reins when trying to get a full stop but to first ask for a regular stop and enforce by bending to a stop or applying more preasure to one rein and less to the other. Does the see-sawing action help to ask the horse to slow down into a stop or how does it help benifit the horse to eventually learn to stop when asked?

  • you should also make sure your giving your horse the right comand and make sure she knows what your asking her

  • Seesawing reins isn't the answer to stopping on a regular basis. That's a crisis situation. Train your horse to stop appropriately. Stopping is part of riding and seesawing is a lack of training from the rider.

  • I totally agree but you can also use the arena fence to stop your horse. Practise at home on stoping with the fence and if your having trouble with stopping your horse how much control do you really have? So, I've always been told to never see-saw the reins when trying to get a full stop but to first ask for a regular stop and enforce by bending to a stop or applying more preasure to one rein and less to the other. Does the see-sawing action help to ask the horse to slow down into a stop or how does it help benifit the horse to eventually learn to stop when asked?
    Sam, St. Joseph, MO

  • Is this barrel racing tips going to be in next months magazines or are they just for on here? I would very much love to have these questions while getting back into barrel racing.

Recent Posts

Vet Adventures: High-Altitude Rescue, Part 2

Read Vet Adventures: High-Altitude Rescue, Part 1 for the first installment of Doreen's story. I’d mistaken the emaciated mare for…

3 days ago

10 Ways to Banish Flies from the Barn

It’s almost summertime—there’s more time to ride and more time to spend outside with your horse. Unfortunately, the warm weather…

4 days ago

Barn Banter – Episode 19 from title sponsor Straight Arrow Products

Welcome to Barn Banter, the official podcast of Horse Illustrated. In Barn Banter episode 19, hosts Susan Friedland and Horse Illustrated…

5 days ago

A Q&A with Mark Bolender

Mark Bolender is a busy guy… Mark and his wife, Lee, owners of Bolender Horse Park, are the founders of…

6 days ago

Eques Pante: Ingenius Equestrian Underwear

For beauty expert Jessica Andrews, equestrian underwear designed to flatter, fit and offer comfort to women in the saddle just…

7 days ago

Post-Workout Leg Care for Your Horse

Post-workout leg care can be as hot-button a topic as blanketing among horse owners. Some riders cold hose, wrap, and/or…

1 week ago