Complications with training =/?

Question

I got my horse May 11 (happy mothers day mom now buy me a horse! lol jk) & since then I have been training her like crazy. She did not know a lot for showing; didn't know her leads, didn't square up, didn't know how to trot in hand & was crazy spooky. Plus I signed us up for contest classes (barrel racing, pole bending, ect) for fair. So along with that every time I would ride we would walk & trot the pattern; slowing down a gait around the barrel, me exaggerating the pocket & my body movements & cues. She had & has that down amazingly. I added cantering slowly then trotting around the barrels & she did great. since fair was gettin closer & i had no ride to any showes i decided to break the do not run at home rule. (i have only ran her semi fast like 5 times & not all in the same day or days in a row so she is not hot) when we go to the first barrel she either acts like she does not know we are goin to turn the barrel &/or completely stops where we would turn then trots or walks around

Answer 1

It sounds like she is getting spooked by the barrel or doesn't feel comfortable taking the turn. Try doing the barrels slowly and build up speed each time. Do this slowly though. She will eventually get use to it. Next time you get a horse, please adopt!

Answer 2

She isn't maintaining the gaits after your cues for walk, trot, canter.  If you are walking the pattern, walk the whole pattern.  Then trot the whole pattern...I think you've inadvertently trained her to stop at the barrels by transitioning down every time you get to them...she's confused.  

It's a start-over project, so I don't know if you have enough time to change it.  You could try doing the opposite...walk to the barrel and transition up to trot around it...but I've never done that so I don't know if it would work or not. Then trot to it, and cue for canter when you get near it?   Right now she sees the barrel as a place to slow down or stop.

Answer 3

just do the thing at the speed you wanted to go, so she gets it. then shell know she cant do what she wants, and will get used to it.

Answer 4

It almost sounds like she is nervous about running AT the barrel or going full speed around it.  What if you try getting her into a collected lope, and lope circles around the barrels, gradually making them tighter.  Don't necessarily do the pattern, but lope a circle around the barrel, tighten it up, then lope a figure eight to another barrel, tighten it up, etc.  Then, when she feels comfortable doing that, and can maintain her frame, then go back to doing the entire pattern.  If you mix things up, and make her get used to doing it all, the pattern will be easier for her.

Just be proud of how much improvement you have made with her in such a short amount of time.  If she's picking up stuff that quickly, by next year, you'll have a talented barrel horse!

Good luck!

Answer 5

You made a statement, asked a question, then answered it, all in one sentence...bottom line, you don't do this all in two months...you don't build up the confidence that you or your horse needs in this short of time, nor do you have her in her top physical condition so that she doesn't get injured.  I would scratch her, forget the classes and start over, build a good foundation, one brick at a time, instead of one wall at a time and you will get there, and when you do, you will have a solid mount under you.

Answer 6

she's not sure of herself to take the barrel at

full speed it will take her time to learn

good job getting her as far as you have

keep it up and have fun

good luck

Answer 7

Your doing GREAT ! Now just relax and let your new horse gain some confidence. Take her out on the trail and just slowly take her around natural things. Example might be  try turning some bushes or trees, etc. Let her unwind, and get her some time to get the idea. Your new horse needs time to take in all the new training you have been introducing.

Go easy and it will be solid, or you will create a hole so big after the fair you will be back to ground work.

Try not to put the pressure on yourself or your horse. Your right it's not about the win. It's about the technique, Control then speed.

Good luck, and remember she will be a different horse first few times out. Even your smart horse will need time to adjust to the noise and extra going on of a town fair. Be safe and have fun.

Make sure you arrive in lots of time, and don't push this year, next year you will be better set.

Happy trails.

Answer 8

You've done a great job but I agree with galloppa, you've trained her to slow down at the barrels.  But I don't think it will take long to correct.  I'd practice the gaits again away from the barrels and make sure you feel secure running her and that she knows the proper cues.  Be persistant and patient at the basics, she seems to learn quickly, and I think you'll see her improve.  I've accidentally taught my horse to stop when I say "good boy"! I discovered that when he would do something I asked for I would tell him "good boy" then stop to pet him. Next thing you know, he'd stop when I said the words!   I've found that most training problems are miscommunication problems..  I've been afraid of letting my guy canter because he always wanted to "race" with the horse in front of him.  It really frustrated me, 'til the light dawned and I started letting him lead.  Now I've found out that he's better trained than me and I have to catch up.  And you are correct, have fun and stay relaxed.  This is a learning year and you've come a long way already.