Pole bending and barrel racing?

Question

I would love to teach my mare how to pole bend, and barrel race. I have someone who is going to be helping me teach her. And I'm working on teaching her to neck rein.

So i have a few question.

My horse is now 18 years old. She does have alto of spunk, and loves to trot and gallop. But do you think she is to old to that? I usually just trail ride her, and just training rides.

Also, is it bad if i train her on the ground and not in sand?

And lastly do you think that she would be good at doing them?

These are not recent, her coat pattern is much different now, plus they were taken during the winter.

http://inlinethumb35.webshots.com/39522/2396421130102807836S600x600Q85.jpg

http://inlinethumb21.webshots.com/39828/2549975350102807836S600x600Q85.jpg

http://inlinethumb13.webshots.com/37772/2134865580102807836S600x600Q85.jpg

http://inlinethumb03.webshots.com/37122/2310406270102807836S600x600Q85.jpg

http://community.webshots.com/photo/2765902660102807836FHdZXV?vhost=community

Answer 1

First, let me say congratulations on thinking this through.  

At 18 she will probably never be super competitive but if you're looking to ride just for fun or at local rodeos and gymkhanas, you'll probably have a great time.

I do have a few suggestions.  You need to make sure that your helper/trainer is very knowledgable about training for these two courses and proper conditioning, not simply another person who rides speed events.  In these pictures, she is no where near fit enough to compete.  I realize that is winter, she's older, and you probably don't ride much in the winter.  She will need to be in much better physical condition before you get too far into training.  As her work load increases, you'll need to increase her calorie intake so she doesn't lose condition rather than gain it.  Although riding while training will help build condition, you need to spend plenty of time simply riding at trot to increase stamina and muscle tone.  Conformationally, I see no reason why she couldn't be good at both patterns.

For footing, it doesn't matter if it's dirt or sand or any other arena material.  What does matter is that it's soft enough and deep enough to allow her to dig her feet in for traction otherwise you'll both end up crashed and hurt more often than not when you progress to any kind of speed.  Setting up three barrels out in the field will be great for teaching her the pattern and conditioning, but you'll certainly need a proper gaming arena to move to a lope or faster.

Most importantly, have fun and don't get hurt!

Answer 2

I tought my Appy to pole bend and barrel race at 9. He's kinda afraid of poles laying on the ground though. Hes a weiner. Give it a try.

Answer 3

She's 18 that's pretty old so she probably won't be REALLY fast But if you just want to show locally and all that's fine and it will be TONS of fun. I have a friend who has a 20 year old mare that runs 18s which isn't really fast for barrels but fast enough to place at saddle club shows most of the time. I'm sure this will be a fun change for you

Answer 4

1.  The horse is never too old to learn new things - just be considerate of her age and ensure she's not injured

2. Sand can hurt them just as bad as ground - sand can be too deep and without the proper support she can pull a tendon or hurt herself - just don't work with her on hard, dry ground.

3.  My computer isn't fast enough to allow me to see the pictures - I think at this point, with her age and you're experience, anything you and she learn will be positive no matter how well she's built to run barrels or poles.

A good barrel or pole horse has knees and hocks set lower to the ground than their chests or butts (speaking in general terms - the hocks and knees as closer to the ground than to their upper body) which allows them to move quickly.  They have a short topline and long underline allowing them to quick speeds and stretch out in the run for home.  They have a neck set not to high nor too low but just right into their chest to allow optimum balance.

I would suggest further education as well as your friend helping you with any information you can gain from Ed and Martha Wright's website; Martha Josey's websites - books and videos by either of them - in addition, Western Horseman books has books by Charmayne James and other barrel racers that are easy reads, chock full of information about more than just going around a barrel.  Getting around the barrel is only a small part of barrel racing.

Good luck - have fun first.

Answer 5

Many horses are barrel racing into their 20's but they've been conditioned and doing it for awhile by then.  You can train your horse to barrel race and pole bend but you should not expect her to be competitive.  She can learn to do it though and you can have fun with it.  Just be cognisant of her age and don't push her too hard.

Answer 6

I think you can and you'll be fine, just make sure you have her wear splint boots on her front and back legs. Make sure to take it easy, don't push her to hard. Have fun!

Answer 7

yes! i think your horse will be  just fine, i took my horse in pole bending and a keyrace and hes 15 and also has a lot of spunk, i didnt place though, i just brought him there so he could get used to it. and he did pretty good, the first time. I dont know about barrel racing though, it might be hard on your horse, but then  again i dont know, just try practicing it with her, and see how she does.