What exercises do you do with your Barrel horse + bit advice?

Question

I have a number of exercises I do regularly with my barrel horse. But our progress seems to be slowing down. I'm just curious to know of some other things to do to help us.

When we are riding around the arena, and the barrels are set up - he get's really close to them and I sometimes have trouble getting him into the corners and away from the barrels (usually at lope). When we are practicing the pattern, I try and take him wide and make him bend, but he ALWAYS cuts in and drops his shoulder on at least one of the barrels. I'm going out to ride, and I'm going to try changing it up and starting to the left. He seems to turn better to the right, but he doesn't pick up his right lead very well. He has a good rate (since he's not very fast to begin with, lol) and is usually easy to control.

What do you think of the Sherry Cervi draw bit (/bridle)? I currently ride in a low ported, jointed Dee Ring snaffle and it's fine, but I need more lift to help him stop dropping his shoulder.

Answer 1

i prefer a d ring snaffle to ride with while training and a tom thumb when running as for the barrel either try to take the tie down off of him and run him like that or put and old tire around the barrels that will force him out away from the barrels and force him to drop his shoulder

Answer 2

i had the same problem with my barrel mare... should would always shoulder the second barrel but only when I was at home... Honestly when we went to the arena she ran perfect but at home she was sloppy... My thing with her and this is my beleif is that your horse is to the point where he knows what he is doing so dont practice with him so much... Just go to the arena for saddle clubs and that is your fun... My mare got tired of loping the pattern at home because when she full runs in an arena she turns ALOT harded then when we are loping the pattern at home and maybe thats what your horse is having trouble with separating the arena from home.

Answer 3

I do theCorkscrew (you do a big circle with your horse and keep getting smaller with your circles 4 about 4 circles)... Nose in/Nose out (do a big circle, at certain spots in the circle you tip the horses nose in and other spots nose out)...  " Different Figure Eight" (Start one circle (nose in) connect into other circle (nose out) forming a firgure eight)... "Two-Tracking"(walk a straight line with your horses head opposite side of the straight line your following)

*All of these exercises come from "Barrel Racing" written by Sharon Camarillo! Martha Josey also has a line of bits out and I heard they are GREAT!