How to teach your horse to barrel race

Barrel racing consists of running your horse around 3 barrels inside of an arena as fast as you can. The barrels are set in a triangular pattern. Start with the right barrel first and make a right turn around it. Go to the second barrel and make a left turn around it. Head for the last barrel and make another left turn and then run back to where you started. Teach your horse to barrel race and compete in a rodeo in your area to show off your skills.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. Make sure your horse is trained for regular riding and knows all of the basic commands, such as how to move forward, stop, turn, back, move sideways, move away from pressure and pay attention to your commands.

2. Start going around the barrels at a walk. Walk your horse through the pattern about 3 or 4 complete times.

3. Trot your horse through the pattern a few times a day for at least a week or two. Your horse should know the pattern and be able to turn all 3 barrels almost on his own before moving to a faster speed.

4. Lope your horse around the barrels as long as he is still completing the pattern correctly. If not, slow down and fix the problem before going any faster.

5. Continue to walk and trot your horse through the barrel pattern even after he learns it, so he knows that he doesn't have to run every time.

Tips & Warnings

• Even at a slow pace, make your horse turn and move correctly through the pattern. This will keep him used to it at faster speeds.
• <br>Use a snaffle bit for barrel racing.
• <br>Ride your horse somewhere besides around the barrels a few times a week. Horses can get bored easily.
• Don't run your horse throug the barrel pattern every day.