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Barrel Racing Basics: The Cloverleaf Pattern, Direct Reining, and Practice for Beginner Horses and Riders

© Caryn A. Tate

 

In this sport, the horse and rider come into the area facing the front two barrels; in the rules, you can take either the right or left barrel first. If a horse favors his right lead, it may be beneficial for the rider to start the pattern on the left barrel and complete the pattern on the last two barrels in his preferred right lead.

This cloverleaf pattern of barrels is completed by the horse and rider making complete turns around the barrels. Barrel racing horses should be able to do flying lead changes, respond well to all cues, and have a willingness to learn.

Direct Reining and Beginner's Barrel Racing

The usual reining for the sport is direct reining—which, unlike neck/indirect reining, is achieved by pulling as gently as possible on the rein that corresponds to the direction the horse should turn. To direct rein a horse to the right, take up the right rein and gently pull his nose around to the right until he turns as much as desired.

When first beginning a horse on barrels, sit on the horse facing the barrels to teach him that he doesn't have to be on edge every time he sees a few barrels. Begin by walking the horse just to the point where he's going to have to make the actual turn around the barrel, and stop him. This teaches the horse the point where he needs to check his speed. He'll get used to stopping there at a walk, then slowing down at faster speeds. Have a good voice command for stopping, something simple like "Whoa."

After stopping the horse at this turning point, let him sit for a moment, and then continue walking around the barrel in the correct pattern. Practice walking the cloverleaf like this, and then progress to a trot (still stopping your horse at the turning point for now). 

As the horse becomes familiar with the pattern, speed up the practice but keep your horse versatile. Don't the horse's flying lead changes and reining get rusty as these are vital skills for a successful barrel racing horse.