"Barrel racing is life - the rest is just details" so says the t-shirt slogan. Indeed for some the saying is all too true. The adrenalin rush of flying around three metal drums at full speed cannot be put into words. It takes an excellent rider, a fast horse, and a lot of training to prepare for barrel racing.

Basics are essential. A horse must know all the elementary commands, understand speed control, turning, and stopping prior to learning a barrel pattern. The rider must also be able to work the horse through all the aforementioned skills flawlessly prior to any barrel racing training.

The most important and often forgotten step is introducing the horse to the barrel. A 55 gallon steel drum makes a lot of strange noises when it is struck or falls. These noises can spook a horse into a mad frenzy and cause possible injury to any nearby. It will prevent future problems by getting the horse accustomed to the sound of a barrel being hit, scraped, and falling over. This is accomplished from the ground first with either a long lead or in an enclosed space. Once the horse is indifferent to these noises it is time to get to the essentials of pattern work.

The barrels are arranged in a triangle formation often referred to as a cloverleaf due to the way the pattern is run. Typically the most common approach is one right turn and two left turns, however it can be reversed. A horse must learn how to properly approach a barrel leaving a "pocket" at the beginning of the turn to avoid knocking over a barrel by being too close coming out the other side. The best teaching tool is an orange cone set up about two feet from the barrel where the turn begins. Initial pattern work should consist of walking to and around one barrel until the horse understands the importance of allowing space going into a turn. Continue this exercise at the walk, trot, and canter. Ask the horse to change gaits often and even stop before going around a barrel. This establishes that the rider is in control at all times.

At last it is time to try the entire pattern. The orange cones can be left in place as a teaching tool if necessary. Take the horse through the entire pattern at a walk. Stop the pattern exercises for the day as soon as one good round is achieved in order to reward the horse for a job well done and keep things positive. Increase speed gradually until the pattern can be executed at full speed without any errors. It is acceptable to take the horse to an event and run an exhibition pattern prior to being able to run the barrels at full speed. This will get the horse ready for all the additional elements and noises at a competition. When the horse is ready, enter a regular competition and see how well things go. Always keep practicing at home with breaks for trail riding and other activities that are relaxed. If the horse begins to run sloppy patterns slow things down and go back to the basics again. Constant review will lead to consistent runs and hopefully many victories.

Learn more about this author, Bonnie Valentine.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

---

Add your voice

Know something about How to train for barrel racing?
We want to hear your view. Write now!