Barrel Racing question?

Question

I've been training my horse to barrel race for almost a year now. We haven't done anything more than a steady lope, for we are currently working on turning the barrel. We've worked with it enough so that he knows to "seek out" the barrel, rate, and hussle to the next barrel.

My question is what can help my horse pick up his shoulder around the barrel? My horse tends to drop his shoulder. We've been doing some exercises such as spiraling around the barrel at the lope. What can I do to help my horse to understand to pick up his shoulder?

My instructor mentioned he drops his shoulder, but I won't have another lesson for awhile because of the holidays. She failed to mention what I might be doing wrong and it's been driving me nuts lol so thought I'd ask for any suggestions until my next lesson.

Answer 1

it might be the way you are sitting your horse you might be leaning in to much while turning you should always be center in the saddle. also could be where your rein and hands are try keeping your rein closer to his neck and ride two handed around the barrel to help balance your horse. a lifter bit might be needed there are many different ones on the market so without seeing you and your horse cant say which to try but ask your trainer he or she should be able to help you out. a good exercise is practicing the roll back off a fence while keeping your horse in the correct positions again riding two handed so you can use an inside rein to correct body position also try working the barrels wide for awhile to take anticipation out of your horse I also like working the funnel pattern with my barrel horses you use 8 barrels set like this/ \ its a Martha Josey practice routine If you ever get a chance to watch her videos do it well I hope this helps and good luck

Answer 2

Although I do not race barrels, I have a TB mare off of the track who does not balance well and often trips and falls when taking sharp turns while going fast. When I am steering her over jumps It helps me to balance her with my seat, if we are turning to the right, I slightly drop my left hip and butt cheek to evenly distribute the weight. Also it is important to hold up your horses face, if your are turning left, hold him up with your right rein for balance by slightly and gently drawing it straight back to your hip (not actually lifting it up or down, just straight back) then let him open his left shoulder by gently drawing your left reign out and tipping his nose right. A horse moves kind of like a box, if you want him to drop his left shoulder, you have to support his right side by applying slight pressure to the reins, that way he has to drop the other shoulder. your trainer can better help you out by showing you. good luck.

Answer 3

Only thing I can add is to also check your position, especially if you are leaning into the barrel with her. You shouldn't lean in with her as your weight can cause her to become off balance and is one possible reason for her dropping her shoulder.

Answer 4

Try checking your balance, if you can mix up the barrels or circle a different numbers of times or a different direction and see if she drops her other shoulder.