Why do barrel racers hold the horn

I decided to go back to my roots and give western riding another try. He, too, is a Belgium cross and a clone of Hootenanny. The two of us are growing old together. The first order of business was to find a western saddle that fit him just right.

Since the saddle fit his It was a comfortable saddle with a very high cantle. I put the saddle on him and set out for a walk through the woods while my husband sat in the truck, talking on his cell phone. Joey is very finicky about how his saddle fits, so there would be no room for error.

As I walked along, I kept checking if the saddle was pinching anywhere. After ten minutes, I decided that this saddle would not do and headed to the edge of the woods to dismount. My horse Joey and I have an understanding. After each ride, he is allowed to put his head down and eat grass after I dismount and my feet hit the ground.

I was about feet away from my husband in the pickup and stopped at a patch of grass. I took both feet out of the stirrups, as I have always done in the English saddle.

I leaned forward in an effort to throw my right leg over the high cantle. In the process, my jacket got hung up on the saddle horn, and left me hanging with my feet about six feet off of the ground. I knew he may not hear me if he was in the truck with the windows up, but I continued to bellow out until my voice was hoarse.

I was on the verge of tears and pleading to my horse to keep still. There was nothing I could do except wait for help. Joey was very aware of what was going on. He remained calm and never moved a muscle. Five minutes later, George hung up from his phone call and got out of the truck. He heard me yelling and came to my rescue.

He did so; the saddle slipped down, and I was free. I was so proud of him. Joey nuzzled me, then put his head down to eat the grass he was promised. I did purchase a western saddle with silver trimmings for Joey. I am not sure if I am still a cowgirl, but I am having fun with my horse. I hold onto the horn when I dismount so nothing gets hung up.

I hold onto the horn whenever I want. Peggy and Joey today. There are many saddle makers that produce barrel saddles in various price points. Most importantly, any saddle that is used should fit properly. A barrel racing horse must be able to fully utilize their body with comfortable freedom in order to perform at their peak.

Protective boots, sometimes called splint boots, protect from external impact by acting as a barrier. These boots protect the splint bone as well as tendons, ligaments and the cannon bone. They wrap around the leg from just under the knee or hock to the top of the fetlock and fasten with straps on the outside of the leg. Support boots, also called sports medicine boots, are the next level in protection.

In addition to providing external protection, support boots act as a support brace to the fetlock joint and its suspensory apparatus. These boots are made of high-tech, shock-absorbing materials. They cover the cannon bone from just below the knee or hock and envelope the fetlock joint. They have a sling-like strap that runs behind and under the fetlock to offer extra support and prevent hyperextension of the joint. Bell boots are an essential! No matter which boot type, remember that proper fit is a must!

During your schooling sessions, practice proper body alignment. When seated in the saddle, you should be able to envision a straight line from your ears through your shoulders, hips and heels.

This position helps both you and your horse stay balanced. Hold your hands low and even with each other near the horn; your contact with the bit significantly decreases when you hold your hands too high and far from the horn. Learning to be a great rider takes a lot of practice. A riding instructor can help you perfect your position and hone your barrel racing strategy. Further Reading Riding the Run. A barrel horse is an athlete. He must use every muscle in his body to run and make tight turns.

To perform well and not get hurt in the process, your horse needs to be in top physical shape. Trotting is an efficient way to get your horse in shape, as is riding uphill at the walk. Ride your horse three to six times a week to keep him fit. Make sure you build up his strength slowly over many weeks, and periodically have your vet verify that your horse is healthy enough for each increasingly difficult workout. Asking your horse to work too hard too soon can cause injury. Further Reading Barrel Essentials.

In addition to strength and stamina, your horse needs to be supple. The faster he turns at each of the three barrels without knocking them down, the better your time will be. The quality and speed of your turns depend on how well your horse bends.