Barrel racing is very much a precision sport. It’s not all about having the fastest horse; without steering and rate you rely solely on your horse to get you around the pattern. Here I will give you some tips to put you back in control and shave seconds off of your run.
Control
Barrel racing is all about control. You must be able to move your horse’s body in every direction so that you can place him in the correct position to best turn around a barrel. You also must be able to slow down and speed up the horse when you ask. All of this can be done by using your body language and voice cues. You do not need a strong bit for your horse to listen to you. Every barrel race is won at home and is a result of quality, consistent training. When you work on each component of your run at home, when you get the barrel race you will feel confident in you and your horse’s abilities.
Practice Lessons
Run and Rate
Your horse should learn at home that when he approaches a barrel he needs to slow down before making a turn. The horse should listen to your seat cues throughout your run. As you get to the barrel, your forward position should change into a sitting down and back position to ask him to rate coming into the turn. Around the barrel you should maintain an upright yet still deep position in the saddle and then move back into a forward position once you come through the turn.
If your horse ignores your body language cues at first, which he may do if he is not used to you asking him to turn in this way, increase your aids by taking up a contact on the bit until he slows as much as you want then release the contact. If the horse is not responding to your seat cue and is running through your rein aids, ask him to come to a complete stop then back up a few steps at each barrel before turning it. Begin practicing this lesson at walk first and work your way up to a gallop.
Rollbacks To Teach Rate
Teach your horse a simple rollback to sharpen his response to your cues. Again, start this lesson at a walk first. If you were to start at a canter your horse would be more likely to ignore you, as his mind would only be on running. But if you start at a walk you can refine your aids and gradually increase the speed until he can transition from a canter to a stop and a back up. Begin by asking your horse to walk forward along side a sturdy fence tracking right for a few strides, then ask for a halt by stopping your walking motion in the saddle, sitting down, and taking your legs off. Use increasingly stronger pressure on the reins if your horse doesn’t respond to your seat until he comes to a complete stop then release your reins.
Once the horse is stopped, ask him to take a few steps backwards by sitting back slightly in the saddle and using slight pressure on the reins until he takes a couple of steps back then release the pressure. Then do a rollback by turning him to the left into the fence with pressure from your right leg at the girth, left leg off, left rein directing him out to the side, and right rein against his neck. Walk off in the opposite direction. Once you can easily do this lesson at a walk practice it at a trot and eventually at a canter. If the horse starts anticipating the rollback once you increase the pace, try breaking down the lesson into each maneuver by pausing in between each part of the rollback or keep him listening by turning the opposite way he thinks he’s going.
Remember that each horse learns differently and that it may take more time for one horse to learn than another. By being consistent, calm, and confident as well as preparing your horse before each lesson with groundwork, you and your horse will progress quickly.