I need to know how to figure out what barrel racing pattern my horse knows. I did not know he was a racer.?

Question

I bought him thinking he was a trail horse. Everytime I get him in a gallop on the track, he'll go just so far & then take an unexpected sharp left turn, circle & return to the track without ever slowing up. He's running barrels in spite of the fact that there are no barrels. I'm convinced he's trying to tell me what he's trained to do, what he's the best at & what he loves to do the most. I'll give him what he wants, but there are many patterns. Some racers go around the left barrel 1st...others go around the right barrel 1st. Do I take him around them clockwise or counterclockwise? Is there anyway to figure out what pattern he knows & wants to do? Where do I start?

Answer 1

I had a horse who i always ran around the right barrel first which is the way most horses do it.  one day i tried running the other way and he went a lot faster.  I suggest just trying to run him both ways and see which way he is faster!  If you are in tune enough with horses you will be able to feel just loping him which lead is his dominant lead.  If it is the right lead go to the right barrel first!