| Barrel racing started as a sport for women who | | | | horse's hind end is under him. Have your horse go |
| wanted a challenging event to compete in. They set | | | | forward walking around the barrel. It is okay to go a |
| 55-gallon barrels in a triangular pattern and raced | | | | little wide but bring the horse in closer as you leave the |
| around them taking two left turns and one right turn. | | | | barrel. Do this for each barrel but after the third barrel, |
| Barrel racing today is more competitive. It takes more | | | | go back to the starting position. Move on to trotting the |
| to win a race than just a fast running horse. The horse | | | | barrels once your horse masters walking the pattern. |
| and the rider must be physically and mentally ready to | | | | Trot up to the barrels but continue to walk around |
| compete. | | | | them. Have your horse start trotting when you start |
| When deciding to barrel race, you need to know a | | | | moving away from the barrel. Repeat this at each |
| few things. Time and effort from you and your horse | | | | barrel being sure to go to the starting position after the |
| are required for training. Your horse should already | | | | third barrel. |
| know at least simple leads. Backing up, knowing whoa | | | | Do other events with your horse like poles, cones or |
| and other acceptable leads are very important. He will | | | | just trail riding to keep him from getting bored. Once |
| need these commands for going around the barrels | | | | your horse is doing well trotting around the barrels, you |
| and keeping his balance. Running at full speed to a | | | | can start loping the barrels. Have someone videotape |
| slow trot to turn a barrel tightly, back to full speed, | | | | you and your horse while working the barrels to look |
| makes these horses some of the most athletic horses | | | | for any problems. You'll be able to determine if your |
| there are. Getting your horse to put his weight on his | | | | horse is changing leads correctly or if he is slowing |
| hindquarters and to disengage his front end is | | | | down when needed. At any time of training, if your |
| accomplished by simply teaching him to back up. This | | | | horse is having difficulties with the pattern, fix it before |
| helps the horse by getting down and around the barrel. | | | | it gets out of hand by going back and walking through |
| You lose seconds off your time if your horse goes | | | | the pattern. Do not try to put speed on your horse until |
| too wide or knocks over a barrel because he doesn't | | | | he is well seasoned, usually at least one year. |
| slow down enough. | | | | To get your horse use to running in different arenas, let |
| Set up barrels on an area free of grass. Grass tends | | | | him barrel race in small shows or exhibitions. Make |
| to be slippery and dangerous for the horse and rider. | | | | sure to keep your horses' mind sane and yours, by |
| Walk your horse through the barrel pattern. When your | | | | doing something other than barrels. Keeping your horse |
| horse is about 10 feet from the barrel, stop the horse; | | | | happy is important for him to be a good barrel racer. |
| take at least three steps back, making sure the | | | | |