How to Train a Barrel Racing Horse

You can train almost any horse to run barrels, but it takes time and patience to produce a really good barrel horse. Follow these steps to get your horse running flawless barrel patterns.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Warm your horse before starting on the barrel pattern. The horse should be warmed up but not breathing hard.

2. Start your horse walking around the barrel pattern a few times. Once the horse realizes where you want him to go you can start trotting.

3. Trot around the barrels for a week or so by doing it only a few times each day. Make sure when turning the barrels that your horse is not close enough to touch the barrel, but about a foot from it.

4. Lope around the pattern once your horse car trot the entire pattern without making a mistake. Lope your horse without making a mistake before going any faster.

5. Ride in a rodeo once you and your horse can consistently run the barrel pattern with no mistakes.

Tips & Warnings

• Ride your horse other places than the arena when training. This keeps him from becoming bored with the work.
• Don't rush your horse. If he needs a week or a month trotting the pattern, let him do it. Rushing causes more mistakes than anything else.