How can I get my horse to gain speed after rounding a barrel?

Question

Hey~

I'm starting to really get into barrel racing but i do have one question. when I take my horse to and around a barrel she slows way down. How can I get her to really gallop to the next barrel. I kick and kick and kick and kiss to her but all she does is either a really fast bumpy trot or a half way fast lope. I really need her to gallop so what should i use? my spurs? the end of my reins? please help. im signed up for barrels and the competition is 3 days away. No one believes in us but i know we can do it. thanks!

Answer 1

Have you spent time with this horse working on her with the barrels at a trot? and then a lope? Do you do arena work so you are comfortable when you ask her for a change and she knows what you are asking? Maybe she doesn't feel you are balanced and she is trying to take care of you. You should be able to do everything you do when you do barrels when you are riding in an arena. You should not need spurs or to use your reins to hit her. If you are team she will respond. A lot of barrel riders I see have tie-downs on their horses and are pulling their heads all over the place. What does that tell you about how they ride?

Answer 2

i think wat u need to do is just practice the pattern at a walk. then a trot. then if u r having trouble getting her to move faster, see if its a pain issue. the saddle may be pinching her, something in her legs, ect. if she good then take her and get her trotting on the lunge line, use a whip to help but dont 'smack' her just tap her or crack it. eventually she will lope and wen she does tell her good girl but keep her loping for a while.

then i would ride her in circles and if u use a crop just behind your leg that helps. idk about spurs. u need to practice with them by 'rolling' them on her side. but try a crop, kiss, kick, and let her have he head a little. 3 days is not much so just trotting is fine. slow down, u dont need to b galloping yet.

Answer 3

3 days....that is not enough time....If she's just trotting, she definately needs more training. maybe she isn't a barrel horse or maybe she just don't like it......yelling "hah" "hah" might work to or just try spanking her on the butt hard.

Answer 4

My advice is to slow down before you start pushing it.  Your horse needs to build up her balance when going around the barrels.  Once she can get around the barrels at an even trot, then ask for more speed.  If you push before her body is able to respond you will not only be frustrated, but you could make the horse injure herself.

Answer 5

3 days? r u sure ur ready for this? barrel racing is all about speed and if ur just worrying about this now... idk i guess walk the pattern, then trot the pattern then lope, but dont run use bumper spurs and a quirt that should work

hope i helped

Answer 6

There are a couple factors. If she's just trotting, she definately needs more training. Maybe she isn't the right horse for barrels, or maybe she doesn't like it.

Use a lot of voice commands when running the pattern, especially heading towards the next barrel[like cluck with your mouth, or yell "hah" like you see the cowboys doing lol] Yelling "hah" usually works to speed up my horse..

But all in all, spurs could work, but it could also cause sores on your horse or cause him pain which could ultimately make him slower. You can try hitting him on the rump with the ends of your reins too.

Answer 7

Hold a stick dangling a carrot out in front of her.

Answer 8

It sounds like you are pushing this horse too soon for both of you.  You need to be able to get around the barrel in a balanced fashion.  If you can not, you will unknowingly pull the horse down.  You are not ready for a race three days from now, or three months from now.  Neither your horse or you are ready for it.  While speed seems to be the name of the game, if you blow your pockets around the barrels you will blow your pattern no matter how fast a horse can go between the barrels.  You need to work on both you and your horses balance before you move up in speed.  Make sure you are rating for each barrel at the correct location, and be consistant.  Work on your bending and flexing to help her balance through the turn.  A tie down will help her with this if you place it correctly.  Most barrel racers use tie downs to help their horse balance, not because they can not control where their horses head is.  Just keep working on your turns and the speed between them will come eventually.  Good luck

Answer 9

My mare had to learn to run too! just get a piece of baling wire, twist it and make a whip out of it. One spank with that , while your leaning forward and giving her plenty of rein, as well as with kicking and kissing, after you round each barrel should give her the hint. and don't be afraid to spank her hard! when you hit her hard once, she won't need a 2nd smack! it works so just try for yourself!