Training Barrel Horses

Lesson 3: Training the Perfect Barrel Horse

Running the Barrels II

The point of the slower speed we've been using at the barrels is to teach your horse that at this point, he should be checking his speed. At a lope and then at a run, this is extremely valuable in a barrel horse. Horses that won't check their speed at the crucial turns lose those seconds in time that could cost you a win--not to mention how precious it is to have a horse who can stop and/or turn sharply at high speeds. This type of horse is more rare than it should be.

When you begin loping your horse in the cloverleaf pattern, one great way to make sure he's in the correct lead going into the first barrel is by doing this: lope him in a little circle before approaching the first barrel, in the lead that you want him to be in on that barrel. For example, if you're hitting the right barrel first and therefore want your horse to be in his right lead, lope him in a circle to the right to ensure that he's in his right lead. This isn't necessary, but it helps sometimes if you're unsure or your horse is still new to barrels.

At this speed, don't stop your horse at the turns, but be sure that he slows down. After stopping him at that exact same point at the slower speeds, though, your horse will probably be very aware of that spot at a lope, as well, and that's great--that's what we were going for. If he's very aware of this spot, and this spot, and what he's supposed to do there, he'll be concentrating more on making a good run than running away with you or whatever the case may be. So, most horses will automatically slow down at this spot, or maybe even stop out of habit and what you've taught him at the slower speeds.

Allow him to slow down, since that is what you want him to do, but not to stop at a lope. Continue around each barrel at a trot, then urge him back into a lope between barrels. At any speed over a slow lope, you'll want your horse to continue loping around the barrel--no more trotting or walking. But at a slow lope, go ahead and trot around the barrels. As I said before, being careful at the beginning will give you and your horse lots of rewards as you go.

As you come off a barrel, raise your eyes and look at the exact spot where you want your horse to maneuver around the next barrel. Where you look has a powerful effect on where you end up asking your horse to go, so keep your eyes up and ahead, where you want to be going. Try your best not to be looking at your horse, or your hands, or the barrel. If you focus on the barrel itself, it’s much easier to subconsciously guide your horse into it rather than around it.

Previously, 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.

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