Barrel Racing Flexibility Drills for Horses

Barrel racing, a popular rodeo event, requires immense skill from the rider and the horse. The horse needs to have the ability to swiftly perform various maneuvers, which calls for proper training. Apart from the potential of the animal, a perfect understanding between the rider and the horse plays a significant role. Typically, horse trainers make use of flexibility drills, so that horses are able to turn and maneuver when going around the barrels.

  1. Rules of Barrel Racing

    • Barrel racing requires the rider to ride around three barrels. The event is conducted in two set patterns. The rider is allowed to either steer barrel horses in a diamond or clover leaf pattern. Completing the task accurately is undoubtedly important for the win, but what matters even more is the speed of execution. As in the case of any race, the rider who is the fastest in completing the correct pattern is the winner of the event.

    Attributes for Winning

    • Attributes that ensure success in barrel racing include speed and skill or capability of the horse. Since completing the pattern in the shortest possible time is the major deciding factor, the horse must be competent enough to maintain balance while taking sharp turns and be equipped to alter its direction with stability. The rider is assessed a penalty of five seconds for knocking down a barrel while making the turn. Therefore, it is advisable to train the horse to enhance its flexibility.

    Bend Drill

    • The horse needs to go through a regular exercise regime that promotes muscle flexibility in the regions of the neck, back and haunches. Get the horse to bend towards the right and left, attempting to reach its tail with its nose while still in motion. You can facilitate the animal's movement by loosening your grip on the inside rein and keeping it at a distance of approximately six inches from your body and the horse's neck. This exercise ensures proper stretching of the animal's neck and ribcage muscles.

    Circling Drill

    • Make use of a visual aid such as a pylon, barrel or bucket while circling. This not only helps to improve flexibility of the horse, it also enhances the animal's ability to focus. Before commencing this drill, allow the animal to sniff and get familiar with the placed object. Start riding around the object in a circular pattern. The crucial aspect is to maintain the circle and train the horse not to fall in or out of the circle. Try altering the direction and moving in the opposite way around the circle, too. Maintain the stability of the horse throughout the drill by tapping its sides with the inside of your heels. Once the horse accomplishes this pattern, step up your pace and make the circle bigger. As the horse gains confidence and masters the skill, attempt to trot along a figure eight pattern with the aid of a Cavaletti pole.