Get the Big Win with the Right Barrel Racing Equipment
Posted: Wednesday, September 15, 2010
by The Old Gray Mare
www.DressYourHorse.com
Excitement is running wild in your house!
Hurray You are ready to head to your first horse show where you plan to compete in several Gymkhana classes. Your horse is ready and so are you.
Since you've been using a borrowed saddle up until now, your folks have decided to get you the proper equipment for your birthday. And it's next Saturday. You've searched the Internet, visited the tack stores, made a few calls, and talked to every horse person that would stand still. It's an exciting time.
1. Ride as one with your horse
I'd like to address rider position and leg aids. Remember everything you have learned from your instructor and the many hours of practice. Have respect for the horse's mouth and use restraint when you guide him. Most likely, by now, your horse has the pattern down cold, knows what is expected of him and will be more than eager to work with you as your teammate. Trust him to take care of you by not overriding him, use consistent cues and proper leg aids. Most of all use correct body position - you don't want to throw off his balance.
2. Dress Your Horse for barrel racing - select saddle & pad, cinch, breast collar
I will talk just a little about the saddle. Of course, you can use an all purpose western saddle or pleasure saddle if you will only occasionally work the barrels. However, I think you are planning on becoming a serious competitor in the barrel racing events and, for that reason, I recommend that you get an appropriate barrel racing saddle.
Barrel racing saddle -
These saddles are constructed to permit the racing horse to burst into a sprint and manage tight, sharp turns. A rider needs to sit securely. To provide a solid seat capability for the rider, the saddle generally has a wide swell with a high cantle. The horn tends to be somewhat higher. The barrel racing saddle gives you the ability to add a rear cinch.
Saddle Pad-
Choosing a saddle pad should not be too difficult if you remember that for barrel racing purposes, the pad should fit comfortably on your horse, will not slip due to excessive bulk or thickness, and fits your horse's conformation and the saddle. You've found the basic pad; now go for the design and color.
Stirrups -
This important riding aid should help keep your feet in proper position, under you. During the show, you might consider a slightly shortened stirrup to help you stay more solidly in the saddle.
Cinches -
Be sure you have sized the main saddle cinch correctly to your horse. It should be clean, in excellent condition, and back sufficiently on your horse that it does not rub his elbows. The back cinch should fit properly, be applied loosely and be clean and new. This has an important purpose, namely, it keeps the saddle from shifting or pushing up. That will help maintain a more solid seat. Remember to tighten the cinch just enough to hold the saddle in position; snug it too much and your horse will fight you and you'll have to enter him in a rodeo competition. This added light restraint might worry your horse so practice with him well ahead of any competition to get him used to it.
Breast collars -
The breast collar is an important addition to your horse tack on practice runs and on the day of competition. You can get a breast collar specifically for the barrel racing horse. The Old Gray Mare highly recommends that you purchase one. You will use the middle loop for the tiedown to ensure your horse cannot tangle his legs.
I have a little showmanship advice for you. Work on your tack, whether old or new, with an excellent saddle soap preparation so your leather is soft and supple and, importantly, very clean.
3. Select bit, headstall, noseband, reins and tiedown
Bit -
It really is not necessary to use a barrel-racing bit on your horse if he has never worn one. If you have been using a regular snaffle bit, stick with that. I have a rule of thumb about bits. Don't overbit your horse. If your horse is sensitive and responsive, don't put him into anything harsher. Once you are committed to a tougher bit, that's it you most likely cannot go back to the easier bit. Your trainer or instructor can help you with the specific subject of bits if you are uncertain. Your instructor or trainer's help is always the best way to go for any problem since you do not want to establish a learned bad habit or worse. Also, don't introduce a different bit to your horse too close to the show. Success in the ring comes from good honest practice, a willing horse partner and a workout that you both enjoy and no surprises. By all means, challenge the horse but remember that he always wants to please you; it's your job to let him.
You will find dozens of bits for the barrel racing horse. I will not go into detail because you have an unspoiled willing horse for the competition. It would be sad to spoil him by using something uncomfortable if he's otherwise working well. There are the snaffles, combination bits, draw and gag bits, roper bits, polo bits, and many others.
Headstall and noseband -
The headstall can be brow band or one-ear style, as long as it is well fitted to your horse and comfortable. If he runs with his mouth open or sticks out his tongue or takes tight hold of the bit, use a noseband to restrict him. You will retain better control, especially when it counts.
Reins -
The Old Gray Mare recommends one primary type use a one-piece, double buckle rein. You can try a Knot Rein, adjust the length and place the knot where it needs to be; however, remember that while you get good grip, this type of rein may limit your ability to slide the rein. I don't recommend wax reins because I firmly believe they develop hard hands. Your can choose leather reins flat or braided just be sure they are dry when you are using them, otherwise they are very slippery.
Tiedown -
I believe this is a very important piece of horse tack for the job of barrel racing if your horse needs to wear one. It gives you better control of your horse's head and certainly gives your horse a balance boost. You should conscientiously adjust the tie-down. You want to enable your horse to reach out/stretch out his nose for breathing, balance and stability. The Old Gray Mare does not ever recommend a rope or a wire tie-down.
It may also be advisable to confer with a professional on the tiedown need. Have the individual watch your horse run and put him through "his paces." If he retains good balance and performs really well, he just may not need the tiedown.
4. Run your horse with some kind of leg protection.
Protective Boots -
Your horse should at least wear bell boots on the front legs in case of overreach. You could even use a combination boot.
For your horse's back legs you can use skid boots for fetlock protection.
In case you'd like to use polo wraps, I need to add a cautionary note. A proper application of polo wraps will work perfectly well during the race with a big however! Be certain that each polo wrap is applied exactly right I suggest you read The Old Gray Mare's article about properly applying polo wraps.
5. Dress Yourself properly
At the very least, you should turn out neatly and appropriately in the show ring. Wear a nice shirt and western jeans. Ride in nothing less than heeled boots. I recommend you wear a helmet instead of a cowboy hat - do it for safety first! Perhaps your show even requires a helmet.
Barrel racing is rough on both your horse and you. You must work as a team, have incredible bursts of speed and be athletic. It takes practice, practice and did I say practice! Steady as you go and take good care of your faithful horse.
This article is written by The Old Gray Mare of www.DressYourHorse.com, www.TShirtsbyLily.com, and www.Amway.com/HealthandHomebyHeidi.
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Top-level comments on this article: (3 total)I've only ever seen barrel racing and such, at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo- It looks like a lot of fun- but requires a lot of skill. It's good to read an article that shows that the writer really knows what they're talking about- this one does- Thanks Heidi- Always- EllaElla, Thank you for that. I appreciate your welcome comments. It's highly competitive and very interesting to watch. It's a class favored by the cowgirls that can really sit a horse. I find it absolutely amazing how quickly their horses get around those barrels. Heidi
What is barrel racing, Heidi? It sounds somehow rather dangerous!!Hi Jennifer, You are right. There is an element of danger involved because horse and rider are galloping up to the barrels (that are set up as a sort of 3 leaf clover pattern). They then tightly circle around all the barrels and gidde it up back to the start. This is not done in a large enclosure but rather a show ring that probably measures 100 wide by 200 long. For a horse, that's not that big a distance and it throws its weight around those barrels trying to get the best time. In national or A rated shows, barrel racing is one of the most competitive of all horse classes. Horses can slip, riders can fall off. As with all sports, there is always an element of risk. Mostly though, horse and rider navigate the course perfectly fine. I can tell you one thing. The barrel racing ladies are pretty amazing and it's highly, highly competitive and often associated with some good money.
Amazing how much work goes into barrel racing. I gather from reading your articles you are very knowledgeable about all things horses.Hi Linda, That's a great comment. Thanks for the vote of confidence about horses. All my life has to count for something and I'm glad it's about horses. I so very much enjoy everything about horses, that I have become quite informed. Lots of it has to do with being a 4H Leader for many years. The kids in my co-leadered club were phenomenal - several of them are nationally famous horse women today. They kept us on our toes. We also participated in public speaking and horse knowledge competitions and displays. The different disciplines and vast subject of horses has ever so many facets and I'll learn something new every day, I'm sure. I was also the President of The Connecticut Horse Council (the body that speaks for Connecticut's horse owners to the legislature, zoning issues veterinarians, and towns). Mostly though, I just thoroughly enjoy the horse. Heidi
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