Some barrel racers send their horses out to reining horse trainers to have a better handle and a stop put on them before being started on the barrels. At the Stairs Ranch, we start our own horses and believe that a horse should be well broke in all five of the body parts (poll, neck, shoulder, ribs, hip). But, a horse must have a barrel horse stop before it runs barrels.
What do I mean? I want a horse, that when I ask him to rate the barrels, he does not bury his hind end into the ground and slide to a stop. I do not want my horse to have to stop to turn. This is not a very effective way to train a barrel horse and is not a very fast way to turn.
We use speed transitions. This is changing the speed. Slowing down, for this example. I may slow from a gallop to a collected gallop around the barrel. I may ask the horse to slow from a gallop to a trot, or a trot to a slower trot, or a walk. I do stop mine from time to time at the barrel, but it is not an abrupt slam your rear in the dirt kind of stop. I will stop more like you try to do with a car. Let off the gas, then slow down, then stop SMOOTHLY. Most of all, I do not want my horse to be afraid of the barrel because I may slam him in the ground when I get there. Trust is so important in your barrel horse. Trust and not fear.
If you work your horse with consistency he will learn to be honest with you also. If you work him harshly, he may learn to be afraid of you and unclear about what you want. He may just get sore, confused and not listen to you.
Even though I preach short reins for running, I will agree that longer reins are in order for schooling at speeds slower than a run. This way you are not putting constant pressure on your horse’s mouth without meaning to and contact will mean something.
Starting at a trot, when you do get ready to stop your horse, first think “slow down.” Just the thought of slowing down, should cause you to relax and release leg pressure. Next, sit deep in your saddle to encourage your horse to get his hind legs under his body, and say “whoa.” Sitting deep, may mean sit up, or roll your back and sit on your pockets. Once you have sat deep, and said whoa, pick up on the reins, using the lightest pressure until you get a response.
Do make your horse stop when you want him to. I hate nothing worse than watching a rider beg a horse to stop. As you practice stopping you will be able to figure out what is the lightest pressure needed to get the desired response.
Remember, you have to prepare. You can’t just ask your horse to stop without FIRST sitting down and stopping the request for forward motion. SECOND use your voice and say “whoa.” THIRD, use your hands. It is just like driving a car. Stopping can take 10 to 20 feet. You can slow to a stop without jolting the horse or yourself. It is easier on both of you physically this way.
The more patient you are with your horse, the better of a response you will get. Horses love routine, so try and use the same cues when asking your horse to stop or rate. Confusion does not work so well.
Once your horse has stopped, let him relax. Release the reins and pet him. Count to five or more and sit there. This gives your horse a moment to think about it. Stopping is a reward. If he does something badly, keep him moving. This makes the right thing easy and the wrong thing hard work.
I think it makes sense to a horse to slow down to be able to make a turn.
When your horse has slowed down and turned, send him into a trot or slow gallop, it gives your horse a chance to focus on what you are asking him to do. When you go too slow from one barrel to another, your horse may forget what he is doing.
Leaving one barrel, heading to the next barrel, send him into a trot or slow gallop and repeat the process. When your horse is good at slowing and stopping on cue, advance to a gallop.
Remember, hard stopping just causes wear and tear on your horse. Horses are more responsive and can think more clearly when they are more relaxed.
A barrel horse stop is not a rear sliding stop. It is more of a four wheel drive melt to a stop. Anytime a horse stops the motion in two of his limbs, it is effectively a stop. Locking up and sliding around a barrel is not a fast way to get around. This only seems to work if the ground is rock hard and he can slip and slide around the barrels. This style is also very hard on his body.
Until next month, may all your stops be smooth and your runs be fast. God bless!