How do I get better turns on contesting patterns?

Question

I've got a 9 yr old QH mare that is fast like lightning. She has endurance, as well as crazy speed, but control is an issue. I opened her up for real 1 or 2 yrs ago, and for the most part controlling her isn't bad, except for around barrels or the edges of a pole lineup. I just purchased a gag hackamore bit to try with her, since she runs through anything less than a correctional. Will this bit be what I'm looking for? I'm asking for any pointers or techniques on getting sharp, crisp turns around barrels. Our first turn is mediocre, and our 3rd isn't too too bad, but they all need major work. I know to slowly weave around barrels, working on getting her close to the barrel, but I need to especially work on dropping her back end to slow down. Another problem we have is driving with the hind end. What is the easiest and most effective way to get that hard drive from the back? Last, any tips on reining would be very much appreciated! Thanks so much, and God Bless!

Answer 1

I answered on the question you put on the Pet section but I'm going to cut and paste it here just in case it might help someone else

No bit is going to control a horse. A bit is a few pounds of metal to a 1,000lbs or so of living thinking horse flesh. The only way to gain control with a horse is training, proper training.

The best thing I have found for cases like this to just not do any pattern work until you have better control. You need to working on getting her soft to the bit. Giving her head to the left, right, in and down at the halt, walk, trot and then canter. You need to get a really good stop on her. Work on transitions. Moving her hindquarters and shoulders. All of this stuff gives you the control to move her body where, when and how you want. You need to be able to do that to control her body on turns. If you don't do this work she will never improve on her turns and may just get worst.

Once I have that control then I bring in one barrel and work on just one barrel. Teach the horse rate, I really reinforce that. I warm the horse up with the normal stuff, work on one barrel then go back to normal stuff and then back to the barrel. If you focus to much on your barrel/poles or the pattern you will start to loose control again. You have to do the non pattern work to keep the control during patterns. Start out slow with that one barrel. Work on rate, moving the shoulder and hips in and out from the barrle. You have to do this all first at a slow gait and built up to faster gaits. You have to work on the moving her in and out from the barrel so that you can do that when you need to.

After one barrel I work with two and then 4, 5, you can work with how ever many you want but you should never focus just on the one 3 barrel pattern. If you drill that one pattern into them they can sour to it. So toss it up. Use 2 barrles, then 4 barrels or 3 but in put them in a different pattern. This will make you and the horse think about each barrel and what you need to get to it and how you enter and leave it.

Once you have control you can start working on how you enter and leave the barrle. Some horses prefer one way and others prefer another way.

I use a simple true snaffle(no shanks on a snaffle even if they call them snaffles) for the basic work and even on some of my horses I run in a snaffle at shows. The one mare I use a sidepull. The bit can make or break your run BUT it won't give you any more control then what you have and a snaffle is best for the basic getting the horse light to the bit and filling in any holes she has in her training.

Answer 2

One important thing is you dont want to associate pain or discomfort as a method of control. Subtle commands are the key to maximized performance and control, especially in drive out power from the rear, where head position is going to restrict front movement and require your horse to engage the hind! I find that a comfortable bit, proper tree size of the saddle, and rider balance are the pinnacle of good horse control, your horse should accept commands by just weight distribution in the saddle and leg, the reins should only be used to adjust the position of the head and to give detail instructions for movement. I hope this helps, English Dressage is my discipline...

Answer 3

Rather than going harsher with your bit you should look at how you train and the speed you train at.

There is a wonderful book written by Sheri Cervi and she did a few articles in Horse and Rider about barrel racing and training for it. She gave the exact training she does no her horses. It has alot to do with the speed she trains at and getting more control.

If you can find the back issues of Horse and Rider it was a series of three articles and they were some of the best I have read.