Barrel horse training?

Question

ok well i am training my new horse to run the cans...and so far i am really happy with him he is loping a nice pattern...i have been working with him for about 2 weeks on the barrels and i have been gradually increasing the speed we are running i just have two problems...#1 when i increase the speed to like medium fast lope the second barrel he will swing out really wide and sort of ignore my leg pressure and rein pressure for the first couple strides off second but when i slow him down he does it right....how can this be solved?......#2 when i am entering the arena he will sort of act herd bound and just wont go like he doesnt back up or freak out he just becomes a statue and wont move lol so after a couple spanks from the whip he starts to move but i cant actually get him to run into the arena..my mare does this but when she sees the barrels in the arena she nows what to do so im just wondering what are some ways to get him to part from the other horses out side the arena and move?

Answer 1

You can have a perfectly good gamer and it doesn't have t o be hot headed if they are trained right. Just because the horse acts all jumpy when they enter the arena doesn't make them any better of a barrel horse. Hot headed horses are so focused on just going fast that they knock the barrel most of the time. The key is not to have them so focused on just going but the also listen to your legs and ques, that will help with not knocking. Whats the point of a fast barrel horse if all it is going to do is nock because it is so hyped up.

Answer 2

On your first problem, I'll address you second one in a moment, it sounds like he is stiff on that side (Does he do the same thing on the third barrel?) or he is not changing leads at the proper time.  About half way betweeen your first and second barrel ask for the lead chang and make sure that he changes.  If he continues to run wide on that barrel, go back to the lope and keep loping it until you are absolutely positive that he has that barrel down.  Also do lots of bending excersices in the direction of the second barrel.  You didn't say weather you went right or left first, so I don't know what direction to tell you to work on.  If he continues having problems turning in that direction you want to consider reversing your pattern to where he will only have to make one turn in that direction and have two turns in his good direction.

Now for your second problem.  It sound like he is starting to get arena soured.  If everytime you have him in the arena you work on barrels he's going to get burned out before he gets started good.  Try giving him something else to do in the arena.  Leave the barrel pattern up, but just go around the cans at a random pace, no set pattern.  that way he can not anticipate what you are asking him to do.  He may lope by one barrel, or two them turn around the third.  Vary it.  Also do light work in the arena as well.  Do some work outside of the arena in the pasture, then go into the arena and let him rest.  After about a week of this he will want to go into the arena, trust me.  Show him that the arena is not the only place that we can and will work, and that the arena can also be a place to relax.

Good luck

Answer 3

He stops because he doesn't want to go.  You can eventually make him go but it doesn't mean he will ever like it.  Perhaps he is having a fear issue or he is anticipating that you are going to whip him and wants to avoid it.  Seems like he doesn't know what you are asking him to do so he's trying to guess and then gets whacked because of your lack of communication.   If he is freezing in this one spot for this one task, it doesn't sound like a herd bound situation, just avoidance of something he knows will be unpleasant. Horses are very smart and learn quickly.   Another consideration is that he could be having a physical problem with the movement as most barrel horses will have at some point.  Have you had him checked out physically?  FYI, as far as I know spurs are for asking your horse for lateral movement - not impulsion.  I agree you should never kick your horse.  If you have to resort to kicking, there are problems on multiple levels.

Answer 4

WELL THE SNORTING GETTING IN THE AREAN IS JUST EXCITEMENT KEEP WORKING WITH HIM ON THE SPEED HES GOOD AT THEN TRY 2 SLOWLY INCREESE IT AND TRY SUM SPURS FOR LEG PRESSURE GOOD LUCK

Answer 5

He's not wanting to go into the arena because he doesn't enjoy what is happening in there, not because he doesn't want to leave the other horses. Sounds like he's already started to resent the entire deal. You can easily fix this by simply riding him calmly and slowly in the arena with the barrels there, just ignore them. When he starts to ignore them as well you can then start learning him the pattern again.

He's swinging so wide onthe second barrel most likely because he hasn't learned the pattern and isn't set up for the hard turn, is he changeing leads correctly? If he hits that sharp turn on the wrong lead going fast it will be very uncomfortable for him.

You do not need to be trying to teach him the pattern by running though or even lopeing at this point. If he just started 2 weeks ago he is no where near ready for that. Start out at a walk, when he's moving easily through them and knows where to go and is calm move up to a trot for a while, then back to a walk. Let him learn that you and only you dictate the speed.

When you get past all that you can begin lopeing him through them slowly to teach him the lead changes, drop to a trot between barrels, then ask him for the other lead, he'll gradual;ly move up to a flying lead change. Once he learns that go back to the trot. Vary all this up with some "down time" type riding. Don't keep the pressure on him or he'll blow...sounds like he's close to that point already. If he starts getting upset back off, let him know it's no big deal and don't make an issue of it.

Only ask for speed at actual races. At his first few competitions you might want to just canter him through. At this point it's all about learning not winning. That will come later only if he has a solid foundation first.

Answer 6

Ok slow down with him one day take him out and make him bend off your leg. Then put one barrel in the arena and go around it at the pace you would in a competiton. If he starts to ignore your leg go back to bending. Then progress to 2 barrels until you can do all three. I hope this helps and remember make it unpleasant for him by bending him when he doesn't listen and let him have fun with the barrels when he does.

Second thing, When he goes into his wanting his herd thing. Make him focus on you do things expect like right when you are walking him change it to a canter for a few strides then slow it back down. Basically keep him guess he will be waiting for you to do something and he won't have time to worry about the herd. I hope this helps if you need more info just email me at [e-mail]