Can a horse teach me to barrel race..?

Question

I have access to a horse who used to be a really great barrel racer. She has had a minor leg injury (there's no danger in riding her b/c of it though, happened a while back and she just has a bit of a limp) so doesn't compete anymore.

I was wondering if I could take this opportunity to learn how to barrel race; essentially, if the horse can 'teach' me! I don't really have the means for actual lessons right now, but I know how to ride western moderately well.

I figure that if I want to go anywhere with it, I will need some sort of training, but for starters, do you think it is possible for me to learn from her? (Some books on the subject may not be such a bad idea, either.)

Thanks!

Answer 1

Ok i'm a barrel racer that learned on some of the best trained barrel horses. The thing is yes they kno there job and they can teach you some stuff  usally if you set a barrel horse in front of the pattern they will kno wat to do and they will take you through it if they are good barrel horses of corse you would have to steer a lil but they can't TEACH you how to you do need lessons to teach you how to barrel race. The best barrel racers all have awesome barrel horses that knno there jobs but in order to be good at barrel racing the horse and the rider need to share an equal understanding of racing. I had some really good horses under me when I started and ran ok times but as I learned more about racing my times and my horse improved . This horse can teach you ho she like to ride to pattern which will help books help a lil also but the best thing for you is to take lessons. and a good thing to practice is riding at tight turns around barrels with one foot or both out of the stirrup to improve your balence beca alot of times people lose there stirrups during there run then try to get there feet back in instead of running and slow the run down if you practice that you don't have to worry bout that and trust me it REALLY works I have been practicing that since the middle of last year and it paid off at my last show when I lost my stirrup going around the first barrel I kept going and ran my fastest time ever a 15.4 so practice and good luck! and try to find a barrel trainer. it may be a lil expensive but pays off.

Answer 2

Barrel racing is awesome! I'm sure you can learn from her. I've learned how to barrel race better on some pretty hard horses. But now I'm switching to jumping now.

Answer 3

Maybe. You'd probably need to learn the basics first though so you don't get hurt. I just started learning how to barrel race before I moved and switched to jumping. All I remember is to sit heavy in the saddle while you go around the barrel so the horse gets it's butt under him. Hope I helped a little?

Good luck!

Answer 4

she can't teach you but she can help you get better and challenge you

Answer 5

Since this horse has been trained to do barrles, I would think you'd have a great chance of her being able to train you.  I learned how to do some basic jumping on a pony who was used for years for jumping.  All I had to do was sit on him.  He knew the routine perfectly!

I am not into jumping, I just thought it would be fun to try.  My friend, who was into jumping knew this pony (as did I) and she told me just to hold on, lean forward at the jump and lean back up over the jump.  it was fun!

Start off slow (speed-wise) and gradually work up to a faster speed as you get the hang of it.  Swing her out wider around the barrel, too, as you get started so you can avoid hitting the barrels until you get some practice with it.

Answer 6

I guess

Answer 7

well if u know the basics of barrel racing, like wut not to do and do, then this horse can make u a better barrel racer.. if it could actually run. Get a broke broke barrel horse that can take u some where and take care of you, thats how you will learn.

Answer 8

I'm trying to figure out what "minor" leg injury leaves a horse with a permanent limp?  Could you elaborate?I'll check back later for your response.

EDIT...Okay...that's good to know.  You hve lots of good advice here...have fun!

Answer 9

yeah no problem if you know barrel pattern its not hard to pick up at all dont push her though she knoes what shes doing

Answer 10

A horse cannot teach you to barrel race - the key to being a successful barrel racing is controlling your horse's feet going around a barrel - the least successful ones are the ones who think their horses know what they're doing and they are only along for he ride.

What a horse who has good experience barrel racing CAN teach you is what it feels like to go around a barrel properly.  You can ride a barrel horse or you can ride a pro barrel horse - and there's a big difference.

This experienced barrel horse would likely be a good start for you because you won't have to teach him what the pattern is - you and he can work together along with reading, watching DVDs and attending clinics - you can grow to his level and learn what you need to know to help him do his best.

Later on, when you're a pro and you've learned to teach him things, you can begin on less- experienced horses.

Get to any clinics you have available to you and read books.  Western Horseman offers good books for around $20 that have tons of info in them - Charmayne James is one of the authors that's very good and there's at least one other barrel racer that has one of those books too.

Also - go on line and purchase or rent DVDs if you can.  Kristy Petersen and Bozo have a good DVD for beginners.

I know of no television series yet specifically geared toward Barrel racing knowledge, but I'm sure it's coming.

If you're anywhere near or have access to information by Martha Josey, she's a great teacher of young people in the barrel racing sport - and she's got some great teaching about horse business in general.  She says something that's very true - in order to make 2 million with horses, you have to start with one million.  One cannot start out with nothing, compete with nothing and expect to get rich on it - it doesn't work.  It takes money to get a good horse, or an occupation that makes them available to you, it takes moeny to learn how to train a horse because at the highest levels you must be able to train a horse quite a bit to succeed with it.

Good luck - it's a great sport and teaches you many things if you do it right - including how to stay in good physical shape.

OH!  I almost forgot the very best opportunity you could ever find.  Ed and Martha right go around the country doing clinics.  They take about 20 students and work with them individually from the point they currently are at with their horses, and teach them how to get to the next level - check out their website - Slash W - if you can get to one of their clinics, you won't have a better opportunity for one on one training and inside knowledge from top pros.