Gate issues at shows---- HELP!?

Question

my new 8 year old quarter horse mare did major barrel racing for a while and now we're just showing locally. She could clean up in gaming or pleasure but shes hot going in the gate.

So far we've tried just doing walk jog and only pleasure for a while, any other suggestions? I hate to waste her just doing walk jog

Answer 1

My mare does the same thing.. she got so bad that basically, anytime she is the only horse in the arena she wouldnt even walk through a gait. and she was smart about it.. she would refuse to walk or move so i would have to use all my cues to make her go [regardless of the speed of motion, i just wanted her to move] then after time she realized I would have to think on my toes so as not to confuse her on her cues so she would start hauling *** down the arena once she got the cue she wanted. I would stop her but as a said, genius prodegy of horses knows how to set against every bit known to man. I talked to a trainer and was told that when I am leasurely riding until she isnt hot to keep her at walk/trot for a couple months until she understands that everything isnt a race.. now I am going to be showing and I was just recently told this, so i try keeping cantering to a minimun but she needs the practice, once a couple big shows are through, i will go back to walk/trot. She said once she realizes its only a race when I tell her so, she should be calm. Once she calms down on a day-to-day basis, then I would take her to arenas or just set a small riding ring up to simulate the gate at your house... then I was told to only run if I was going to be 'contesting' whereas I just call it speed. lol.. I was told that is the best way to keep a horse all-around enough to stay calm in arenas and such. Anyway, I hope it helps.

Answer 2

omg i have a 23 year old horse that get 16 in barrels and when we got her she was horribal at the gate and she went in on 2 feet.

so i feel yuor pain.but we wnet to a show befor everyone got there and no saddle no nothing except a halter and tied her up to the gate for about 30 minuts.

that calmed her down some but also wat helped me is getting another horse to walk through the gate with you.

Answer 3

Its just going to take lots  of practice starting at home. If your local shows would allow you too, I would ask whether you could bring your horse to a show (even though you aren't entering it) to practice getting her in the gate when they are in between classes or at the beginning and end of the show. Just keep taking her in and out of it until she doesn't even blink at it. I would suggest treats for going in and out so that its a positive experience (or just lots of praise and pets).