Barrel Racing

[Horselover101]

How do you get started on barrel racing? What kind of horse do i need? I want to start barrel racing now but could i learn on my tennessess walker and then move on becouse i would like to beable to use him.

[Cynthia]

Hey! I barrel race! It's a rush....I use my QH and my Arab Cross.....First you would need to make sure that your horse is not scared of the barrel...sometimes they flip out at it! Then just walk the pattern on horseback and never, ever go around a barrel more than once because the horse will get familiar with that pattern, and think that is what he/she is supposed to do. Lean into your turns....with the horse....and if he messes up the pattern, stop him there and make him do it right...then eventually get faster.....especially "bringing it home" because you want him to know as soon as you turn that last barrell, to "book it" and go fast! Good luck! Welcome to barrel racin'...it's a blast! Oh, if they knock it over, have a friend put it back into place start over....also, get him/ or her used to the alley way....that's where you get the speed! WATCH OUT FOR YOUR KNEES....seriously, some rodeos we go to have metal barrels and they can cut you, so don't get to close and watch your knees...

[ThorArb]

Barrel racing is tons of fun! And yes you CAN use your tennessee walker for now. Yeck, I won nearly $2,000 on a walker mare before I sold her! Of course I was going barrel racing every weekend and on Tuesdays!

To get started, set up the pattern. WALK your horse up to the first barrel, stop for a second, then walk around and continue to on to the next barrel. Stop in front of it, then walk around it and on to the last barrel and repeat. Walk the horse back 'home'. The stopping in front of the barrel teaches the horse to 'rate' and check himself. Dont look down at a barrel. When you are going around a barrel, use your inside leg to curve the horse around it. All the while look at the next barrel. Once your horse can do this calmly. Then move on to a trot, or in your case a running walk. Remember to stop in front of the barrel then WALK around it and repeat. At the last barrel you can trot your horse 'home'. Once you can get your horse doing this well, move up to the canter. Canter to the first, stop, then trot around it and on the the second and repeat. On the last barrel canter him home. If your horse is calm and quiet and can do this. Then you can try moving up to a hand gallop up to the first barrel, stop then canter calmly around. Eventually the horse will get the idea and soon you'll be out there running the barrels with others!

Maybe you could find out if there are any designated days for barrel practice. We have lots of days around here were people get together to practice one night a week. Just keep at it and be consitent. Your walker will learn to like it if s/he doesnt already! My walker was VERY VERY competitive so she really liked the speeding and turns.

I believe any breed of horse can go out there and run barrels. But most people use Qhs, Quarabs, Appaloosas, Paints and Appendix Qh. Also TBs are seen out there but the majority are stock horse breeds. There are even some gaited barrel racing competitions for Paso finos, Tennessee walkers and others.

There is some gear that you can wear to protect your knees. Wear a helmet especially if you are going to be using a super fast horse! Wouldnt want you to fall off and get hurt. Use gloves, knee paddings (you might could find some at a tack shop or online), and your helmet when you are barrel racing.

[Horselover101]

Thinks for all the great adivce yall