If you've ever been amazed by watching a 100-pound girl flying around metal drums in hairpin turns at lightning speed, you probably wondered how she managed to hang on to her horse and harness such equine power. The concept is simple, but the act is anything but. Barrel racing is one of the most popular events in rodeo, and in professional rodeos, only cowgirls are allowed to enter. There are several different barrel patterns, but the one done at professional rodeos is typically the cloverleaf.
The cloverleaf involves three 55-gallon drums, placed in a triangular pattern. Barrels 1 and 2 are placed 90 feet apart, directly across from each other. The #3 barrel is centered between the other two, 105 feet away. The rider with the fastest time wins. If a barrel is knocked over by a horse or rider, the rider is penalized 5 seconds.
The Right Horse
Training a horse for barrel racing competitions takes months of practice. You also need to begin with the right type of equine. The horse has to have speed, agility, proper conformation, good legs, and sound bone. An effective "drum runner" needs to have powerful hindquarters, too. Intelligence and "heart" are also integral to a winning horse. Most any stock-type horse is appropriate, but the American Quarter Horse is the preferred mount for professional barrel racers because of their temperament, their athleticism, and their quick bursts of speed.
Before starting a horse on barrels, the horse should be seasoned and trained to neck rein and respond to leg pressure. It should be used to crowds, loud noises, and loading into a trailer. You should be familiar enough with your horse to know which way he turns best. Most horses turn to the left best, but a few turn better to the right. This is very important in barrel racing because you'll base your direction on which turn is easier for your mount. For example, if it makes left turns better, you'll want to run the pattern starting with the right barrel. That way, your horse will make one right turn and two left turns, saving you valuable seconds. If your horse turns better to the right, run the pattern from the left.
Equipment
You'll also need the proper equipment. A barrel racing saddle will help keep you in place, and it's lightweight. The saddle should be paired with a high-quality pad and a breast collar to keep the saddle in place during the ride. Use a short round rein that won't get in the way and that makes it easy to slide your reining hand into different positions without taking your hand off the rein. You'll also need a riding bat with a handle loop and a good pair of boots with a "cowboy heel" to keep your foot from sliding through the stirrup. You might also want to invest in a pair of shin pads to protect your legs from the barrels.
To protect your horse's legs, use either neoprene wrap or nylon splint boots. For hoof protection, purchase a pair of bell boots. These cover the hooves and provide extra shock absorbers. They come in a variety of patterns, including zebra, and you can even purchase lighted boots for nighttime rodeos!
The Training
Set your barrels up in an area of soft dirt. Not only does this mimic the surface of a typical rodeo arena, it also helps develop your horse's muscles. On the first day of training, walk your horse around the barrels a few times, then praise him. Stop training for the day and go on a short trail ride.
The next day, trot the horse around the barrels a few times. As he makes the turn, his head should be low and giving to the bit. To help accomplish this, use leg pressure instead of the bit to guide your mount through the turn. Another way to help your horse learn to position his head correctly is by using a German martingale during training sessions. After he's trotted around the barrels correctly a few times, stop training for the day and praise your animal.
Once your horse knows the pattern well, increase the speed to a lope, but warm him up first. At this point, if your horse is knocking over the barrels, make him walk around them. Lope up to each barrel, then make him slow to a walk. If, after this, he's still tipping the barrels or running over them, place a couple of old tires around each barrel. This will force the horse to be more conscious of the barrels.
It's important to understand that each horse gets around a barrel a little differently. Some run around the barrel, and others do a kind of "sit and slide." As long as he's got his head down and clearing the barrel effectively, either method is fine.
You also need to remember to sit as close to the withers as possible. Horses carry weight most efficiently there. That's why you see jockeys riding this way in horse races.
When your horse is consistently loping the barrels well, gradually increase your speed. If he begins to exhibit improper behavior, go back to the previous step.
When your horse can run the pattern at full speed on a regular basis, work on the "run for home." This is where you can really cut your time. By using the bat just behind the tail, the horse will really get his hind legs under him and run. Don't hit the horse hard enough to hurt him - just use the bat as a cue.
Be very careful not to over-train. If all you do on your horse is run barrels, he'll get "drum crazy." You need to ride him on trails and in the pasture, too. He also needs plenty of "down time" when he can just be a horse.
ALWAYS stop a training session on a positive note, when the horse is acting appropriately, and be generous in your praise.
Your First Competition
Before your first competition, make sure your horse is in top condition. Running circle eights in a plowed field is an excellent way to strengthen muscles and ligaments without damaging your horse's bones and joints. It's also a good way to practice turns.
Don't feed the horse four hours before the event. After he runs, cool him down properly before giving him food or water.
If you need to tape or boot your horse's legs, do so before loading him. This will help him avoid straining his tendons when he braces on the ride to the rodeo.
If you have long hair, tie it back. You won't be able to see properly with hair in your eyes.
Warm your horse up just before your run, but don't tire him out.
Have someone videotape your ride. You can watch it later to critique yourself.
If you don't win this time, there's always next time. Watch other riders during their runs and learn from your observations. Be a good sport and congratulate the winners.
Source: Years of personal experience training barrel horses.