Barrel Racing Basics, Part 2 - Page 2
© Caryn A. Glaze
In the last article I discussed things that your horse should already know before learning barrels, and one of these things that's very helpful is turning/spinning. If a horse already knows that when he's turning he should dig in his back feet and put his butt into it, and really turn hard, it will benefit you a lot on the barrels. It will teach him that as he's loping around the barrels, he can dig in his back feet in the dirt and use those muscles in his rear end to push him out of that turn. Basically, he should be pushing with his back legs and pulling with his front. You'll definitely feel it coming off of a barrel!
Be sure and stop your horse after each good run and reward him. Pet him and talk to him and make sure that he knows you're pleased with him. Make sure he's not confused about whether or not he's doing what you want him to do. Continue increasing your speed until you're at a run, and have a blast doing it! Remember to do other things with your horse other than barrels, and to stop running them after your horse has done what you've asked him to do. Burning horses out is a common and horrible thing. But taught correctly, you can have an excellent--and in control--barrel horse on your hands. Summer is perfect for barrel racing, so get out there and have a great time!
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