Control or Crutch? Asking “Does your horse need a tie down?”
Tack and equipment are a big part of training horses. Every horse and rider is different and we have many options to choose from.
Headgear, can be a controversial topic. While some view them as necessary, others argue that they are merely a crutch for training or underlying issues. Having experimented with different types of headgear, I understand both sides. This blog post will explore the truth about all types of headgear such as tie downs, bonnets, headsetters, discussing what they offer, how they work, and potential drawbacks for our barrel horses.
How do tie downs work
They are used to help control a horse’s head position, ensuring their head sits below the tiedown. But as Trevor Brazile notes, in his article here “Tie-downs are not built to be pushed on the whole time.” The goal is to create a clear boundary without limiting the horse’s natural movement.
It’s important to remember that misusing a tie down can cause more harm than good. By using a tie-down properly, riders can help their horses perform at their best without sacrificing comfort or freedom of movement.
Personal Experience: When I Found Tie-Downs Useful
Throughout my barrel racing journey, I’ve tried many different types of headgear. When riding a particularly chargey or hot horse, I found tie-downs offered a barrier that the bit didnt always provide, espeically when things happen so fast like in barrel racing.
I personally try to stay away from anything that restricts the movement of my horse. If I feel a need for a tiedown, before I just throw one on my horse I will ask a few questions first.
could there be a underlying issue with my horse? What could it be? (example, teeth need to be done, they are body sore somewhere,
Am I using the tiedown to fix a training issue
Tiedowns have a place in the tack room but not on every horse. It is our job to decide when it seems fitting to use a tie down and for what purpose.
Ask “does my horse need to become more stiff?” Then perhaps a leather tie down will improve your communication and create that wall for them to feel secure and stable and making them stiffer throughout their body.
“Does my horse toss their head anytime you use the reins?” Then maybe it’s time to understand your bits better and uncover the reason why your horse is tossing its head before you mask the behaviour with another tool.
The Pros of Using Tie-Downs
**Easy to Use**: Tie-downs are simple to attach and adjust, making them beginner friendly to set up.
**Instant Results**: You are instantly creating a boundary for their head. But be sure to teach your horse the new boundary before you get on.
**Balancing Aid**: With a thicker leather noseband, tie-downs can give the horse something to lean against, helping maintain their balance.
The Cons of Tie-Downs: Potential Stiffness and Misuse
**Causing Stiffness**: When a tie-down is too restrictive, it can lead to stiffness in a horse’s neck and shoulders. Imagine trying to run with your head held in an awkward position—it’s not comfortable for you, and it’s certainly not comfortable for your horse either.
**Becoming Tense**: Over-reliance on tie-downs can encourage a horse to become bracey. Instead of responding smoothly to cues, they may push against the restriction, making their movement tense and jolty.
**Risk of Pain**: Poorly fitted tie-downs can cause the horse pain. Whether it’s cuts or bruising, the wrong setup can do more harm than good. Always double-check your gear with someone who knows how to properly adjust a tiedown.
**Fixing a Symptoms**: It’s tempting to use a tie-down as a quick fix for behavioral issues, but this doesn’t always mean youre fixing the root issue. Real improvement comes from a proper training foundation and clear communication.
**Causing Anxiety**: A too-tight tie-down can make a horse feel trapped, leading to increased anxiety and tension. This added stress can cause a lot more issues in the arena.
By understanding these pros and cons, you can make more informed decisions about whether or not a tiedown is right for your horse.
Food for Thought
Horses communicate without the use of speech, therefore it is our job to listen to them in other ways. This is through our intuition, our energy, verbal cues, posture, body language and other hidden components to language horses respond to that we as riders can be unaware of.
At the end of the day, tools are simply tools. There isn’t one magic tool to make our horse perform how we want. It takes understanding how to communicate more effecively, becoming a more empathetic rider and being the horses leader to create healthy working realtionships.
It’s our job to educate the horse, if they aren’t educated then we have no one else to blame but ourselves. Use the tools, but don’t rely on them to do all the work.
When there are no shortcuts, there are also no holes.
While tie-downs can be a helpful tool in the barrel racing toolkit, they shouldn’t be your go-to solution for every problem. Remember, a solid training foundation will always outweigh any quick fix from equipment.
Make the right thing easy and the wrong thing hard.
The path of least resistance is real. We see it all around us, from the rain running down in a stream away from our barn to the natural ways we can train and work our horses. We have to approach our day-to-day in a way that will set us up for success. At the end of the day we want to feel accomplished and successful. I know I sure do. So how can we better our odds of feeling this way after work, a day at a race or competition, or a training session with our horses?
How can we apply the principle of “make the right thing easy and the wrong thing hard” to our advantage?
How can we use our path of least resistance to set ourselves and our horses up for success? This idea is something I learnt from training barrel horses and something my mom has taught me from her time training dogs. The more I thought about it, the more I realized it applies to many areas of our life.
Let’s uncover how it works!
Imagine again the path of least resistance, it’s easy, right? It flows naturally, it all goes in the natural direction. Meaning, you can get the work done with the least amount of effort and struggle potentially involved. There are simply less obstacles for you to overcome. Meaning, we can control and structure our days and training sessions in that way. We can make the right thing easy like the path of least resistance and the hard thing full of it, with all the obstacles and resistance.
This is a part of the foundation to training horses. We want to show our horses the path we want them to take, we have to clearly identify the path of least resistance. It doesn’t matter what discipline, but we always have to remind ourselves of this principle.
A riding example is making perfect circles. They’re important for me as far as training barrel horses, but choose whatever aspect of training you’re working towards. But here, our goal is perfect circles. We want to think of the circle as the path of least resistance or the most comfortable path for our horses. We begin by setting up our circle correctly, once they are going we allow them to go on their own, but if they fall out or into the circle, we correct with our leg and/or rein which is a resistance for them. But once they are in the proper position again, we allow them to hold themselves naturally in a way that is the most comfortable for them.
Over time, the horse knows that the path of least resistance is to hold the circle correctly on their own. The cool thing about this is we allow for mistakes, and things to go off track, and we allow ourselves to correct as we go. This approach helps me understand how I am influencing my horses. Am I being fair and giving them the chance to decide what the path of least resistance is for them? Am i allowing for them to make the mistake before i guide them on the better path? This way they, like us will actually learn through our process and develop a better understanding of right an wrong.
When I apply this ideato my own personal life, I feel my goals are more attainable because i know which path is the least resistant and i try to strategize my days to make it happen!. We have the control toplan our days to allow for success, just one small successful step is all it takes.
With consistent effort, we will be able to set up everything in our lives to guide us down the path of least resistance. We can accomplish the things we set out to do, we just have to set ourselves up for success by making the right thing easy and the wrong thing hard.
What i’m referring to is the knowledge and the insight will always improve. It will evolve just like all creation. The knowledge now will be more advanced in 10 years, maybe only in 30 days, maybe every day on a smaller scale.
I went to a rider biomechanic workshop today, the information we are gaining is revolutionary to old school methods.
We are opening our eyes more.. By actually closing them a lot of the time.
We are becoming aware of so much more through subtle advancements and principles that affect us first as a human and more specifically, a rider. We are growing our landscape of possibilities with horses and that is the same for all of humankind. Just because it “what was” doesnt mean it needs to remain “what is”.
It’s race day, the early morning sun is shining, horses are eating and all is well. We haven’t competed yet so we have nothing to be angry, upset or disappointed with. We are in a place of optimism, possibilities and potential, “yay I think I am really going to crush it today”.
Then, we get on our horse, things start to go south. They’re hot and anxious, they’re distracted, they’re anything we don’t necessarily want them to be in order to perform well. All of a sudden, your mood has done a 180 along with your vision of the day. You’re now getting tense with your horse. Your smile is now a tight, clenched jaw and your eyes are staring at your horse with anger and frustration like why aren’t you doing what I want you to do?!! (side note, it isn’t all about what YOU want THEM to do) moving on though..
Before you know it, you are taking a back seat to your emotions and you’re allowing your horse to control how you feel about yourself and the situation. Your body and mind don’t lie. When physical aspects of ourselves change, so does our mind, that’s why they say it is impossible to be tense in your face and also be relaxed. (give it a try). Open your mouth, take your tongue off the roof of your mouth and relax the lower part of your face. Feel better?
So what does this have to do with anything?
I see often, riders developing a sour attitude, being overly serious and taking out their new emotional frustration on their horses. Things don’t always go to plan, horses are horses after all and competition brings so many uncertain elements that we simply cannot control every aspect of.
We are leaders, I preach this often. We have to approach the situation how we want our horses to be as well. That means relaxed, focused, present, light and soft etc. It is one race, one competition. It’s not the end of the world if every element didn’t go to your plan.In life nothing really does, so take it as a life lesson and learn to adapt to change however it’s going to come. Being able to be resilient in new situations will give you an advantage in the show arena.
Next race day I want you to be aware of how your horse influences you and how you influence your horses.
If your horse is acting less than ideal, how are you managing yourself to take back control of yourself? Are you going down to their level and becoming the rider you didn’t want to be in the morning? Are you getting quick and aggressive with your hands because your horse is “misbehaving”? “Are you being the example?
That can mean you hit a barrel today, that’s ok. We have to gracefully accept it. We have to trust ourselves and our horses, we have to allow the results to happen however they’re going to happen, we can’t control that. But we can control our attitude. We are the leader and we have control over many things, mostly our outlook and how we handle it.
I love horses and competing because the lessons I take into my day to day give me insight into becoming content and fulfilled no matter the uncontrollables that come my way. Next race, I want you to catch yourself getting caught up in the uncontrollables. How are you responding to life and your horses?
This is up to you so please choose the right thing. Choose to accept, choose to go easier on yourself and especially on your horses. They are doing it all for us, it’s only fair to respect their efforts no matter what happens. Pat them, give them love, be the leader, show them by example what it means to love the job and love every good or bad thing that comes with it.
Let’s not be so serious and let’s remember why we show up every day and on weekends.
Make the right thing easy and the wrong thing hard.
The path of least resistance is real. We see it all around us, from the rain running down in a stream away from our barn, to the natural ways we can train and work our horses. We have to approach our day to day in a way that will set us up for success. At the end of the day we want to feel accomplished and successful, right? I know I sure do. So how can we better our odds of feeling this way after work, after a day at a race or competition, or a training session with our horses?
How can we apply the principle of “make the right thing easy and the wrong thing hard” to our advantage? How can we use our own path of least resistance to set ourselves and our horses up for success? This idea is something I learnt from training barrel horses and something my mom has taught me from her time training dogs. The more I thought about it, the more I realized it applies in many areas of our life.
Let’s uncover how it works! Imagine again the path of least resistance, it’s easy right? It flows naturally, it all goes in the natural direction. Meaning, you can get the work done with the least amount of effort and struggle potentially involved. There are simply less obstacles for you to overcome. Meaning, we can control and structure our days and training sessions in that way. We can make the right thing easy like the path of least resistance and the hard thing full of it, with all the obstacles and resistance.
This is a part of the foundation to training horses. We want to show our horses the path we want them to take, we have to clearly identify the path of least resistance. It doesn’t matter what discipline, but we always have to remind ourselves of this principle.
A riding example is making perfect circles. They’re important for me as far as training barrel horses, but choose whatever aspect of training you’re working towards. But here, our goal is perfect circles. We want to think of the circle as the path of least resistance or the most comfortable path for our horses. We begin by setting up our circle correctly, once they are going we allow them to go on their own, but if they fall out or into the circle, we correct with our leg and/or rein which is a resistance for them. But once they are in the proper position again, we give them the opportunity to hold themselves naturally in a way that is the most comfortable for them.
Eventually the horse knows that that path of least resistance is to hold the circle correctly on their own. The cool thing about this is we allow for mistakes, we allow for things to go off track and we give ourselves the opportunity to correct as we go. This approach helps me understand how I am influencing my horses. Am I being fair and giving them the chance to decide what the path of least resistance is for them? Am i allowing for them to make the mistake before i guide them on the better path? This way they, like us will actually learn through our process and develop a better understanding of right an wrong.
When I apply this idea to my own personal life, I feel my goals are more attainable because i know which path is the least resistant and i try to strategize my days to make it happen!. We have the control to plan our days to allow for success, just one small successful step is all it takes.
Eventually with consistent effort, we will be able to set up everything in our lives to guide us down the path of least resistance. We can accomplish the things we set out to do, we just have to set ourselves up for success by making the right thing easy and the wrong thing hard.
Shelby invites you to a Weekend Retreat for the riders who feel they are getting in their own way of success. August 20-21 we are hosting a weekend riding and wellness retreat in Caledonia Ontario. Tap into your deeper senses to learn how to become the leader you and your horse need. We can let go of the fear and start showing up how we know we can, full of confidence, positive talk, calm, unbothered by things that maybe used to throw you off your game. This is for riders of all levels, please learn more by reaching out t We Can Hustle on all platforms or this link:
I have been thinking and questioning “What makes a great barrel?” and this is probably a question that a lot of us have. The reason we finish a turn well is because we approach it well. BUT HOW?! These are the things that I’m going to tell you that I think are the key ingredients to make an amazing barrel.
So let’s get into it.
The Importance of The Approach
I think if you approach a barrel correctly and properly, we’re setting ourselves and our horses up for success. And it starts with the approach if we don’t approach the barrel, right and something goes wrong, and it’s not smooth and easy, we’re not going to finish it right.
What I mean by that is if you go into tight, you’re gonna have to go wide. If you go in with your dropped shoulder and your horse’s hip is kicked out, your horse is gonna have to take an extra step or two and regain balance to actually come around the barrel as effectively and as quickly as possible. We all know, our mission here is to run a barrel pattern as fast as we possibly can.
It starts with us staying centred, approaching the barrel in a nice balanced, upright way, and giving the horse the best chance of success.
I feel like second might be the most common struggle barrel, because we do approach it on a straight line, there’s no angles, it’s very direct. Horses and humans tend to a anticipate the turn and cause a lot of issues with either slicing into it, or a we make a huge pocket, and then our horses hit it on leaving, and there’s just so many things that can happen a second. So we’re gonna use second as our example.
Point of Focus
I make sure I look directly behind my barrel and that is my focal point. That is the ONLY spot I look at and where I want my horse’s head, front feet and back feet to travel to. How I think of approaching it is “shoulder up, drive forward. shoulder up drive ahead.” (this is on repeat in my head) So if you were to draw a line behind, that’s kind of my focal point of where I really am pushing my horse to. I do that all the time so my horses learn to run up to that point. Keep it consistent and don’t start the turn until the horse is clear of the barrel. Always have a focal point where YOU look. It will help with muscle/mind memory.
Straight Lines
Straight lines are the second ingredient to a barrel race. They need to stay square and centered between my hands and my legs, when we’re doing straight lines is it’s not just about their head, we really want their body too. I really feel it with my knees and my thighs, I am staying centered, I’m staying straight and I’m driving my horse forward. I am sitting back pushing my horse along and encouraging him that forward motion like I said earlier, really important to get that forward motion.
Lines are really important to keep the shoulder traveling under everything and to keep it all one working unit. This is part of having your horse work in train tracks with its front and back feet. When we’re approaching and going around the barrel its just making sure that you feel that you have full body control between your hands and legs.
Final Words
Our horses are listening to us they want to do what we want! Love your horse, treat them kindly, guide them, direct them to be the best horses that they can be. It starts with us right now by doing these things; listening to podcasts, watching videos, learning from everyone, what you like and what you don’t like, just keep growing.
Reflecting on the first 3 day race of the year. You could sense it in the air that everyone was so happy to get out, connect with each other and their horses.
The moments I want to talk about, as I look down to my leg with a few new barrel knocking scapes is this:
We can be our worst enemy. We think the thoughts of others and we tend to assume the worst. We think “they’re” watching our every move and they’re full of judgement. I’m here to say this, no one cares as much as you think they do. We are all trying out here and it all looks different. Nothing about each rider is completely alike so we cannot expect to be someone or somewhere we are not meant to be right now. Just know you are not alone. We are all facing some sort of difficulties. We are fully in this together.
Now back to the leg with new barrel bruises and scrapes; Embrace that. Even though it sucks to hit a barrel and we all feel we are capable of doing better. Make sure you don’t forget to still appreciate your efforts. That cut on your leg is the proof you’re trying. You’re in the arena which is a victory within it self. Celebrate that.
Cheering for others, supporting others and loving others will come back to you. It cost you nothing to smile, to say congrats, to tell someone they’re doing great, even when you know they don’t believe what you’re telling them. Be a reason someone notices the things they’ve done right, or begins to appreciates their horse a bit more. The domino effect is real, pass on your energy so they can become that reason for someone else too. Supporting, cheering, collaborating with others creates a community full of positivity and encouragement. We can all cheer for one another.
Take every opportunity to learn. Every run is a new chance to figure something out. Do it for you. Don’t think you need to know it all by now. You are still growing and you are still learning. As long as you’re breathing, you’re going to be learning. Give yourself a break in this moment and know the lessons learnt now are preparing you for the future you desire. We take small steps, the 1% everyday. Don’t think you need to know it all now. Enjoy the run with the expectations of experiencing it and you are learning from it.
Virtual Meetups is our way to connect people and share valuable knowledge! Get a chance to ask experts your questions during the second half of our guest speaker meetup. We connected with Joy to hear her journey of becoming an incredible horse woman and barrel racer.
Reputation is not created by your own thoughts about who you are. It is developed by continuously striving to be a decent human in society. Someone of their word, someone of good character, a person of honesty and so on will have naturally developed a positive reputation.
People in the horse business need to put heavy importance on this. We depend on our reputation every day and we also work on it every day, realizing it or not. Building a good reputation takes years to build and almost no time to lose.
In this business, word travels faster then thoughts. Nothing is hidden and the fact or fiction become scrambled through the translation of others. Who you have shown up as everyday will give you the reassurance that you know exactly who you are and who you are not.
People that want to bring down someone else’s reputation shows the direct corelotation to their own insecurities and beliefs. The ones that are too caught up with what others are accomplishing are the ones who feel unacomplished themselves.
The jealous, angry, envious or devious are not who we need in the horse world. Deep underlying issues bring out these characteristics and motives in a scheme to make them feel superior, even when they’re not. It is known that bringing others down, will not lift you higher.
We need people in the horse business to be lifting up, for all of us!
Lets’s be good to one another, after all, we all love horses for the same reasons. Let’s ignore our differences and focus on what we all have in common.
Build up others to build up yourself, our repuations are depending on it.
If you liked this, Please check out the other episodes!
So you want to jump into the world of barrel racing! Whether you’re dreaming of racing under the bright lights of a rodeo or simply looking to improve your riding skills and enter your first competition, this complete barrel racing guide will help you every step of the way.
Horses, speed, competition and adrenaline; all things barrel racing has to offer us. Barrel racing is a times event with nothing but you, your horse and three barrels to turn(if only it was that easy). The race is a clover leaf pattern, starting with either a left or right turn depending on your preference. The clock is the only judge as the fastest times win. Let’s dive in and unlock your potential in the world of barrel racing.
First, You Need a Horse
As a first generation barrel racer, this horse got me started entering her into saddle club shows.
Having the right horse is key in your barrel racing adventure. Look for a horse that has a good brain and ideally one with some barrel racing experience. It’s also important to keep in mind a horse needs to match your riding abilities. I know we all want to be a NFR or pro rider ASAP, but we also must take the necessary steps to get there. Each horse is a stepping stone and we have to take into account our abilities as a rider while we shop for our equine partner!
You can also train your own horse.These days, horse prices are HIGH. Getting one trained already can be pricey but for starting off i would still recommend getting a well-trained and seasoned horse that will run the speed you are comfortable with. If you are interested in training your own, I suggest articles like this
Having a trainer or mentor in your corner to help you is a good idea, esecially if you are starting out. Always take the horse for a ride before you buy to see how you two mesh together. Be patient and find a horse that just feels right for you.
The next thing to keep in mind when buying a horse is a vet exam. Horses, just like any other big purchase should have a pre inspection so you know the health the horse. Especially barrel racing is extremely physically taxing on these horses. Having a vet, bonus points if they are a performance vet go over and conduct a pre purchase. This is something we discuss in further detail in this (blog post Here coming soon)
me and my actual first “barrel horse” He was a reining horse reject. (which side note they can make great barrel horses!)
Tack and Equipment
Having the right tack will make all the difference in your riding and your horses comfort. We have a full guide to western tack here. First, you’ll need a barrel saddle that fits you and the horse well. The saddle is designed to have a high cantel and pommel to give you security during tight turns and hard take offs.
Good quality leather is a longterm investment you cant go wrong in making. This includes a sleek leather bridle(or 10) that comes in a browband style or one ear.
Next is an important choice of a bit(s) which we have a few of our favourite bits to choose from. Having spares of everything with you will be very useful when something breaks. With horses, something always will break, it’s only a matter of time till you need an extra of something.
Protect your horse’s legs with splint boots to prevent injuries during those high-speed runs. We have a full blog post talking about splint boots and leg wraps here. Of course, prioritize your own safety with a helmet, comfy footwear, and show attire that meets the event requirements.
Investing in quality equipment shows your commitment and the motto is “look good, feel good”. Your horse are ready to race with confidence! To get a full guide of tack and equipment click here.
Video Playlist for Tack & Equipment – check it out below
How Barrel Racing Events Work
Barrel racing is a timed event where you and your horse run a cloverleaf pattern around three barrels. As soon as you cross the start or timer line, the clock starts ticking. These events are usually buzzing with high energy and anticipation (no need to be anxious though! How to handle anxiety post coming soon).
Competitors often need to register ahead of time, so make sure you understand the event’s specific rules and regulations. You can usually enter late but there will typically be a late fee attached to it and we like to avoid extra costs by all means possible.
NBHA/Division Format:
In order to give every riders a chance to make money. NBHA incorporated divisions into their open races. The divisions allow everyone, not just the top times to earn some cash and prizes. These open races can also have specific classes such as rookie, youth, senior, Futurity and Derby.
How Divisions Work:
1D is the fastest times of that go/class
2D is half a second slower then the fastest time
3D is 1 full second
4D is 2 seconds off the fastest time.
Example: winning time was 15.0. The 1D winner is 15.0, the 2D is above 15.5 the 3D is above 16.0 and the 4D is anyone slower than 17.0
However, some races are in 5D format. In this case all 5 divisions are half second split.
Example:
1D is 15.0
2D is 15.5
3D is 16.0
4D is 16.5
5D is 17.0
Anyone can enter the open race. It is open for youth, rookies, seniors, futurity horses etc. The open class usually has the biggest number of entries and the most money added.
Who doesnt love a shiny belt buckle! (me and my mom both winning something)
Futurity and Derby
Want to learn more about younger horses? Futurity races are for horses aged 4 and 5-year-olds. The class is to give these promising athletes and the trainers a chance to showcase their talent. The credential of a futurity horse in simple is it is a horses first year in competition, and they have to be either 4 or 5. Some events are strict on only being a 4 year old like many BFA shows.(Barrel Futurities of America)
Derby races, on the other hand, are for horses who are no longer a futurity horse. The age group are between 5 and 7 years old, providing them a chance to keep entering age-specific classes. These distinctions help fair competition by matching horses of similar age.Embrace these opportunities to nurture and highlight your horse’s unique abilities from a young age, and enjoy watching them grow into nice barrel horses (I personally love training futurity horses.)
This is a 4 year old futurity horses I trained and ran. From unstarted to becoming a really cool and competitive barrel pony!
Rodeo Barrel Racing
Rodeo barrel racing is an exhilarating experience that offers its own set of unique challenges. For one, rodeo only pays the top times. So if you are running a 3D time, your chances of making any money are a lot less at a rodeo. No one can stop you from entering lower level rodeos, but be mindful that the entry fee is usually a lot more for only one run.
The energy at rodeos can be electrifying, often presenting a high-stakes environment that can be both thrilling and daunting. You may find yourself competing against seasoned riders, but remember, this is about your personal journey. Focus on your growth and celebrate your achievements.
Crowd noise and distractions are everywhere at a rodeo, so seasoning your horse will take time if they are inexperienced. Approach each challenge with a positive mindset, knowing that every step forward is a step closer to your barrel racing goals.
running a Derby 5 year old in rodeo cause why not!?
Barrel Racing Terms and Lingo
The world of barrel racing means getting comfortable with its different terms and lingo. Here are some to get the barrel racing beginners started:
**The Pattern**: The standard pattern in barrel racing, consisting of a cloverleaf path around three barrels. You can make one left and two rights or you start with a right and make two lefts
**Knock**: When a barrel is tipped over during a run, leading to a 5 second time penalty(in rodeo) or a no time(in open races)
**Clean Run**: Completing the pattern without knocking any barrels over.
**First Go**: The first run/class in a multi-round race.
**Exhibitions**: This is before the show start time. Exhibitions are a paid time slot you get in the arena with the barrels up. Learn more about exbos here They are your time to practice the pattern before you run against the clock. BUT, expos are time limited, usually 60 seconds is your MAX. Please respect everyones time and ride within your time limit, it helps the show run smoother and everyone is happy. YAY.
**Pocket**:The pocket is the area we give our hores the aceptable room to make the turn smoothly. Our pocket is going to change based on the horse, some big horses need more room for the turn and smaller horses might need less space. It is typically the area going into the turn and behind it that we want to give room so we can leave the barrel nice and straight an close to the barrel.
**Rate**: This is the spot on the pattern wher you start to slow your horse down for the turn. It differs per horse but it is typically around 10 feet before the turn. It is important to look ahead of the rate spot, we don’t want us or our horses to anticipate the turn and hit it.
**Home**: AKA the timer line. Hustle HOMEEEEE is the phrase. or just “go on!!” “Hustle!!!!”and whatever else comes out of your mouth in the heat of the moment. But make sure to run all the way home. In this timed event, we don’t want to slow down before the timer line.
Learning these terms will help you feel more confident to the barrel racing community. Enjoy the process or learning and have fun soaking in all the new knowledge!
Penalties
There are a few ways to earn a disqualification in barrel racing.
A Down Barrel. This is when a barrel is hit by you or your horse and falls over. There are some cases you manage to reach down and grab the barrel before it falls, that is still a clean run.. Beware, some riders loose their balance and end up falling off their horses trying this move!
Not following the Proper Barrel Pattern. AKA going off pattern.This is an automatic Disqualification. Also, if you turn the barrel inside out, meaning the horse came out of the barrel the same side they came into it is off pattern.
Final Call. When your name is called, you have a specific amout of time you MUST enter the arena, its usually 60 seconds. If you fail to get in the arena, due tohorse alley issues, or you just miss your run due to a longer than expected warm up or chats with friends(guilty). Whatever the cause is, make sure you know the time allowed before you get “last call” and officially miss your run.
Train Your Horse for Barrel Racing
Finally the good part –training and riding your horse!Working with your horse for barrel racing is a rewarding journey filled with patience and progress for you and your horse. Begin with solid groundwork(post coming soon)to build trust and establish clear communication. Once your foundation is solid, slowly introduce the pattern, focusing on being smooth and consistent before adding any speed.
Keep your horse’s fitness in mind by incorporating exercises that focus on strength and stamina. Consistency is key, so make riding a regular part of your routine. Celebrate each milestone, no matter how small, and watch your horse blossom into a confident horse and you a confident rider!
Click here for the free training barrel horses playlist
Review the event’s rules and format well in advance; understanding the details will help you avoid any unfortunate surprises on race day. Arrive at the facility early, giving both you and your horse enough time to settle into the new environment and get your open riding or expos in.
Keep yourself and your horse well-hydrated, and opt for a light, energizing meal before you compete. Equip yourself with a checklist to ensure you have all your necessary tack and gear, reducing last-minute stress. Before your run, be sure to warm up your horse properly, and allow your horse to loosen up to avoid injury.
It’s okay to feel a mix of nerves and excitement—embrace it! Take a moment to breathe deeply and visualize what you want to happen. Connect with fellow racers; the barrel racing community is incredibly supportive, especially for beginners. Focus on your personal goals rather than comparing yourself to others, and remind yourself of the hard work and dedication that brought you here.
This is your moment to shine and experience the privilege of barrel racing. Enjoy every second, and remember, every champion started where you are now!
Overcoming Performance Anxiety and Building Confidence
Feeling those pre-race jitters is completely natural! Channelling that energy positively can make a world of difference. Start by visualizing a smooth, successful run, letting those positive images build your confidence. Practice deep breathing techniques to keep your nerves in check. A calm mind will help you perform at your best. Remember, every rider’s journey is unique, so focus on your own progress and set realistic goals that celebrate your personal achievements. Embrace each experience as a step forward, knowing your path is all yours to own and conquer.
Developing a Growth Mindset and Bond with Your Horse
Developing a growth mindset and a deep bond with your horse is essential for success and most importantly, enjoyment in barrel racing. Remember, every challenge is an opportunity to grow and strengthen yourself and your partnership with your horse. Here are some loving and optimistic tips to help you on this journey:
**Embrace Mistakes with Love**: Understand that both you and your horse are learning. Mistakes are natural and part of the process. Approach them with patience and see them as valuable lessons rather than setbacks. Each setback is actually a stepping stone forward toward improvement.
**Celebrate Small Wins**: Every bit of progress is worth celebrating. Whether it’s a better turn around barrel one or a more present run, acknowledge and celebrate these moments. Positive reinforcement not only motivates you but also boosts both you and your horse’s confidence.
**Quality Time Together**: Building a strong bond based on mutual respect goes beyond training. Spend quality time with your horse outside of practice. Grooming, hand-walking, and just being together can deepen your relationship and build mutual trust and respect. Also, horses are just amazing and healing to hang out with.
**Stay Curious and Open**: Keep learning and stay curious. Seek advice from experienced riders, watch training videos, and read books on barrel racing and horse behaviour.(hint* follow We Can Hustle) This continuous learning will keep you inspired and bring fresh ideas to your training routine.
**Positive Mindset Practices**: Use visualization and affirmations to cultivate a positive mindset. Visualize successful runs and remind yourself of your strengths and past achievements. A positive mindset will keep you motivated and moving forward through ups and downs.
By nurturing a growth mindset and prioritizing your bond with your horse, you’ll create a connected partnership. This connection is the foundation of your success in your barrel racing journey.
We hope this guide was helpful. Be sure to follow us for more insight into barrel racing and your own personal growth journey.
