Barrel Racing Help training my horse?

Question

I am training my gelding for barrel racing and i was wondering when we canter through it do i have to worry about the right leads. I am asking cause when i took him to a jackpot he was galloping through and he did great and i think he was on the wrong leads the whole time.But when a horse i galloping are they even on leads? And also if you can give me a link to some free videos anything helps THANKS!!! :)

Answer 1

For my trainer and I it's very inportant to worry about leads!

Answer 2

It is MUCH better if you have your correct lead, sometimes, like my horse, she is young so she picks up the wrong lead but she turns great on the wrong lead (not as good as if she was on the right one). It really shaves off time if you are on the correct lead.

Generally if you lean over the correct shoulder just slightly the horses weight puts their balance onto that side making them pick up and reach with that leading leg. Does this make sense? Also, if you are allowed, make a circle at the lope to the direction of the first barrel and that usually forces them to the lead then you and take off on the correct lead the first time.

Good luck :)

Answer 3

Absolutely, you need to be on your correct leads at all times, otherwise, they could even fall down.  If you ever notice some barrel racers enter the arena and circle to the right a couple of times before they head for the first barrel...they are making sure that they are on their right lead.  This is important enough that you need to get this down before even cantering your horse around the barrels, but it doesn't mean that you can't begin trotting around them.  Even when you first begin teaching your horse the pattern, try to cue him to rate the barrel with a quick, verbal cue, that way you can stay out of his mouth when he is running and let him rate the barrel himself. When you start, don't worry about how close you are getting to the barrel, just teach your horse the pattern, He will naturally begin to cut closer and closer on his own, the faster he gets.  You want to teach him from the beginning to keep his inside shoulder up while he is turning, so work on that from the beginning, before you start picking up speed.  You will always know what lead your horse is in if you determine that yourself when you ask him for it...If you want the right lead, push his hind end over to the right and immediately take off on that next stride, he has to take the correct lead...do the opposite with the left lead, right when you leave your first barrel, then you are already set for the next two barrels and don't have to worry about it, unless you get off balance and he feels it and he changes leads...good luck and start teaching your horse to move away from your legs, so that you have control of his hind end when you need it...good luck.

Answer 4

Being on the correct lead when running barrels is going to help your time. A horse on the wrong lead is unbalanced and will go slower as a result. When running a barrel to the right, he should be on his right lead, when running left, he should be on his left lead.  

Answer 5

counter cantering is dangerous, and no, when horses gallop they are not on leads, but I doubt you galloped, probably just a really fast canter. sorry, I have no free videos, but training tips!!!

To train a horse about running barrells you: trot towards the first barrell. stop a couple inches away b4 u turn(stop completley) and say "Turn!" you need to give your horse a vocal comand to turn like you say whoa to stop! continue at a walk around the barrell then pick up the pace at a trot again when on your way to the next barrell. stop a couple inches away from the barrell and say "Turn!" and continue walking around the barrell, go to the last barrell and stop and say turn and walk around the barrell, on your way back you can canter back... you should really take barrell lessons to properly learn were to look when turning a horse around a barrell, and how to correctly turn a horse around a barrell.  Try to stay on the correct lead! Good luck!!!

Answer 6

When I am training my horse I make sure she picks up the correct lead every time. When I run at shows I don't worry about it as much. I cue for the correct lead for her to pick up but of course they don't always listen. But sometimes I get her to do a flying lead change inbetween the barrels which helps with turning. Most horses I have noticed change leads right before the barrel but that is still more work & takes more time. good luck =]

Answer 7

If your horse isnt doing flying lead changes you shouldnt be in a barrel class.  If  you horse doesnt switch his lead when you lean, you shouldnt be in a barrel class.  Proper leads help your horse balance around the tight turns of a barrel pattern, without proper leads your horse is unbalanced and could hurt himself or you.  Anything above a trot/jog and the horse is on leads.  Work on your lead & lead changes & weight shifting & THEN try barrels...don't rush your horse into it

Answer 8

It's hard for horses to turn when they're on the incorrect lead. I don't do barrels but when we jump it's easier for our horses to make tight turns and go straight at the jumps when on the correct lead.

Answer 9

yes they need to be on the correct lead