I'm trying to train my horse on barrels........? EASY 10 PTS.?

Question

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I'm trying to train my horse on barrels, but she doesn't want to go around the barrel... She just turns the other

way...I've tried pulling tight on the reins while going around the barrel, but she just throws her head back and goes the other way, I've also tried turning her around in circles, but that doesn't seem to work either.... Any tips or any advice on how to train this stubborn horse??

Any advice/tips will be greatly appreciated!!! Thanks!!! =)

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Answer 1

Without more detail, it is a hard question to answer.  Is this a young horse who is just learning?  or is this an older horse that has been trained to do something else and you are trying to introduce the horse to barrels.

Have you tried hand walking her around the barrels first.  Let her go up to them and start getting used to them in case she is afraid of them.  Be patient.  It could take time.

Answer 2

Walk her around the barrels in the patterns you'll be using, and get her used to barrels. Maybe you should try to lunge her, and work on obedience...and trust.

Answer 3

isn;t this the third time you have asked this?

Answer 4

don't go straight onto barrels start off with certain items that r familiar to ur horse such as buckets or poles if ur horse has done gymkahnas(i think thats how u spell it) try flags then gradually introduce barrels as they could be very unfamiliar items that ur horse is very unsure about and just wants encouragement that they r ok and nothin gonna scary in them.

Answer 5

You have to make the barrel a sweet spot for her, so she wants to turn closely and stick to it, not veer around it and possibly knock it over. Feed her on it, sit on it while you brush her, give her treats on it, just make it her favorite spot and she'll like to be around it. Then, ask her to walk around it a few times and then find the treat on it, or something, until you can lope/gallop around it closely 3-4 times and then get her reward. Don't just teach her once around it either, because she'll learn to cut the corner and either knock it over or go waaaaaaaay out on the turn and lose time. And don't just do this in one day, I would wait for 3-4 days in a row of feed, treats, brushing, etc. before starting to walk around it, and then one gait each day (like walk one day, trot the next, etc.) Good luck!

Answer 6

Try running the pattern the opposite direction.  Sometimes horses do not like to turn in certain directions.  We have one that will not run one way but will blast through the pattern the other.

Answer 7

similar problem but my horse will want to turn so sharp to go back the other way that either we get really close to knocking it over with a great time or we knock it over and thats bad.  my horses favorite part of barrels is at the end when she gets unsaddled.  sorry can't help much good luck.

Answer 8

first walk her next to a barrel

then trot but dont canter yet

then walk or trot a medium circle around the barrel

then spiral in towards the barrel then when you get close and your circles are small spiral out again

repeat that a few times

then try canter spirals

and she'll get used to going around the barrels

then try doing your barrel pattern at the walk

then trot

then if she's good do it at the canter

or, if she's in a stall, try putting a barrel in her stall so she gets used to it

=]

good luck

Answer 9

The mare is 20 yrs. old, why do you want to train her to run barrels?  She is too old to compete & at 20, she will not be as flexible in mind or body to learn something like this.  The reason she maybe refusing is because she is uncomfortable & stiff.  Besides, nobody is going to pay for a 20 yr. old horse who is ONLY started on barrels.

I think you are putting her & yourself through too much worry, especially her if you are having to yard on her mouth & ask what bits to use.

Just work on getting her kid broke, instead of worrying about teaching an old horse new tricks.

Answer 10

I think you should have her teeth checked. It sounds like her mouth might be sore and the bit is just making it worse.