#barrelracingtips

Why You SHOULDN’T Velcro yourself or your child to the saddle.

1) (Unless you have a disability) You should not, EVER, need to be tied / strapped / Velcro-ed into the saddle; Learn to ride your horse and get into the motion of your horse and you wont have any problems.

2) Lets say you or your child are tightly strapped in and your horse spooks or something happens and the horse flips... YOU ARE STUCK. There is no bailing, there is no unstrapping yourself and then bailing. The horse WILL fall on you and you.

> Now, if you DO have a disability and need to be strapped into your saddle, please do NOT buy Velcro, there are saddles specially made for anyone with a riding disability and they are much safer than strapping yourself in for the ride.

We all know what a “Blown up” horse is. We see them all the time at the races. This comes from running your horse on barrels constantly. Horses get bored of doing the same thing over and over again! So instead, here are 10 drills to help you! They are not only fun for you, but they’re fun for your horse too!

1) Circle a single barrel, work on that corkscrew. start out wide and turn in tighter. (done at a trot)

2) Figure eights (5 minutes, no barrels. Work on using leg pressure)

3) Roll backs (do a few, take a break and then come back to it)

4) Flexing (on the ground and in the saddle)

5) Running up & down hills (open up those lungs!)

6) Work a ‘4 leaf clover’ pattern at a walk/trot (use that leg pressure)

7) Work on a ‘wagon wheel’ pattern

8) ‘Stop the Clock’ exercise

9) Mirrored Clover pattern