How can I get my barrel horse to go faster

Question

How can I get my barrel horse to go faster

Answer 1

The first thing to do is make sure you are using proper form and technique while running the barrels. A lot of people take their horses out, kick them hard, and hope they go. This makes a horse run fast, but proper technique is what shaves off those seconds that make the difference between winning and losing. So if you haven't already, I'd suggest hiring a professional trainer to help you.

If you already have the proper technique and just need a boost of speed, here are a few other suggestions:

1. Kick the horse around the barrels, but between barrels and on your ride home, try just squeezing the horse's sides with your legs.

2. While you do this, ride with your seat. By sitting back in your saddle and pushing the horse forward using your body, you can push a horse into a faster lope than he's already going.

3. Loosen up your reins. A properly trained horse will not need extreme rein pressure to navigate the barrel pattern. In fact, with a leg lead and quick checks on the rein every now and then, they should stay on pattern on their own. So if you can get to the point where you can loosen rein, it also encourages a faster lope.

Hope this helps!