Horse World

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Horses are very smart animals and can be trained to do most horse sporting activities with ease.

They do need to be trained by someone with experience and will not just know what to do instinctively.

Barrel racing is something that most show horses can learn how to do.

The riders must be taught how to ride the horse through the barrels in just the right way so as to avoid injury to the rider and horse.

You need both patience and firmness when training a horse and rider to barrel race. When the training is done properly both rider and horse will enjoy the sport.

The first thing to do is to introduce the horse to the barrels before you try to ride him around the course.

The horse will need to be comfortable with having obstacles in his path. You must be patient with this process and give your horse the time he needs to become comfortable with the barrels.

Make sure that you do not go through the barrels faster than either the horse or rider are comfortable doing as this will initiate knocking over the barrels.

The rider should always wear pants never shorts.

The rider should also be using safety gear, especially a helmet to avoid serious injuries.

Be patient with your horse and do not rush him. He will learn and be comfortable with barrel racing in his own time.

Train the horse by walking him around the barrel course at a slow pace so that the horse will learn the pattern before you try to race him.

Next, take the horse through the course at a gentle jog.

You can start to gain a little speed as you feel the horse becoming more comfortable with the jog. It is vital that the horse understand that this is a race, so it is important to gain speed.

You want to lope the course, as this is the speed at which you want the horse to go on the course. Once the rider and horse are comfortable with loping through the course, you are both ready now for barrel racing!

More Tips for both horse and rider to follow before the race:

Before your race make sure that you check your horse’s tack to be sure that nothing is irritating him. Examine the saddle pad to be sure it is free of foreign objects.

Check for signs of soreness behind his front legs from the cinch rubbing. Use a fleece-lined nylon cinch.

Make sure that the bit is not pinching the corners of his mouth.

Your horse should have a dental check by your vet prior to the race. Any discomfort will make him nervous and cause him to resist your rein cues that you give to him. Your horse needs to be very responsive so a pre-race dental check is a must.

A horse that does not receive proper nutrition will develop muscle soreness or become hyperactive. A balanced diet is a necessity when barrel racing. Do not have your horse on a high-energy grain supplement.

Make sure that you limber up your horse before the race by performing flexing and bending exercises with him. These exercises will also help to keep him calm and relaxed before the race.

It is imperative that you do not practice barrel racing everyday and that you alternate your pattern work with trail riding. It is also important that both the rider and the horse be relaxed.

Attending a professional horsemanship clinic can help to achieve this state of relaxed horse and rider state.

Previous Articles By This Author

• Buying Your First Horse
• Equipment for Horses
• Basics of Horse Care
• Grooming your Horse
• The History of Horses