Can you train a six year old gulden to barrel race aqnd pole bend as easy as a young horse?

Question

Can you train a six year old gulden to barrel race aqnd pole bend as easy as a young horse?

Answer 1

Yes you can if you think he has the potential and if you know how to give him the proper training to make him good at the job

Answer 2

I think it would depend alot on your 6 yr old gelding. If he is naturally an athletic,copetitive horse, then in my opinion,definatly YES !

I think horses are just like people in a way. Some people are naturally athletic & competitive . If your horse is a cooperative boy and does well learning,you can pretty much get him to do anything you want,within reason. I have 2 geldings. Both right around that age. One I have had since he was 6 months old. He is a nice 16 hands tall and built athletically...but thats as far as it goes !! He is not competitve by nature, unless it comes to food or running faster than my other gelding !!!

My other gelding is very stocky and usually over weight by nature, he is right at 14.3 hands, so not actually athletic stature for barrels and poll bending, but he is way more competitive. He wants to be better & faster than everyone !!! He is great for competitions such as barrels and poles because he is so competitve.

he may not have the stride for it, but he is really fast and really seems to enjoy it when he is in shape for it !!

Keep in mind, just like people, if you were to go out for a marathon, you would have to  train for it. It is no different for our friend the horse.

Good luck and have fun. I love doing that. My kids did barrels and polls with a 4-H group for a couple of years. We had alot of fun and even won some of the classes.

Answer 3

I think it depends on your gelding. If he is a good responsive horse, and you think you can do it. Yeah, of course. I did, my 6 year old Palomino, as a 13 year old[yes, i'm 13] i trained him in both Barrels and Poles, myself.

He placed 1st in pole bending and 3rd in barrel racing.

[intermediate]

My stratedy:

I worked him every other day in 1 month, until that week came and let him relaxed the week of that show. You can increase or decrease the months, but i highly recommend the weeks' rest . I've read, the rest lets horses think about the patterns and relax their muscles. So once your in front of your determinedly taught pattern, it all pops up in their memory.

I hope I help you!

: ] Saadia