Barrel Racing Question?

Question

I have a morgan/quarter horse mare that is fairly good on trails and under a saddle. I really want to begin barrel racing with her and plan on taking lessons with her soon. The problem is that many people have told me that once they start barrel racing their horses that their horse became spastic and hyper and no longer good on trails. I want my mare to barrel race and be good on trails. Is this possible? If so, how?

Answer 1

ok I have a barrel mare who has won over $15,000 in barrel racing and she is also the top trail horse in Missouri.....so yes, a barrel horse can still be a trail horse.

Answer 2

This is a problem with poorly trained horses, and riders who just kick and yank and go fast, fast, fast and freak the poor horse out. As long as you keep riding your mare well and balance the speed work with schooling, you'll be fine.

Answer 3

okay!! well i hate that sterotype!! it all depends on how you train the horse. If you run run run run the horse of course thats all its going to do but if you do 10x more slow work then you do running your horse should have no problem at all.

I have a 7 year old QH who i do anything with in the arena. And he has won me many of titles in the barrel horse world but he is does have a hyper personaitly so on trails he will get a bit hyper. On the other hand i have a 6 year old QH who i also barrel race. And you can take him out on the trails and he will stay as calm as can be!!

You just have to make sure not to over run your horse and keep is mind calm make sure you dont make it hate whats it doing make it fun for you and the horse!! =]]

i want to add i dont know if your mare is gaited or not but if you are just going to do it for fun it would be fine but if you are planning on competing it will be harder for her.

Answer 4

I have a quarter horse and i barrel race frequently and she's still good out on the trails, who ever told you she would get hyper or spastic? ask them to show you an example.

:)