My barrel horse has started not going around the barrel, going in front of it. what do I do?

Question

He has been racing for three years. I get a little nervous during the ride, could it be me? He is very fast. Could it be the bit? I had his teeth checked. his tack is fine. I was riding another horse and thought maybe that was the problem. He also gets too excited after his first run and I don't seem to have as much control on the next run. I have trouble getting him to move over between the barrels.

Answer 1

1. A lot of barrel horses have problems with their joints and stuff. I know it sounds stupid and dangerous to get a horse chiropractor, but it helped my barrel horse some. For now, just anticipate him to duck in, and you might need to take him into the barrels he has trouble with a little bit more slowly until you get things worked out.

2. As for the nervousness, you have to make sure you are perfectly calm when you are going in the gate. He can sense your anxiety.

3 .Get an equine dentist to check out his teeth rather than a vet.

4. Make sure you ride your horse around (calmly) before and after your runs. If you simply get on, run, then get off, your horse is under pressure the entire time you are in the saddle, which will make him think he is under pressure whenver you get on. Make sense?

Answer 2

Just get him to listen to your aids and get him to relax, which will take time. Do some bending exercises around your leg, and practice going around cones. Eventually, turn up the notch and increase your gait to a canter