Ask Joyce Loomis-Kernek your barrel racing questions
Question:
I have an 11 year old part quarterhorse/thoroughbred. I have been hauling him, mostly just
during the Spring and Summer months, for about 5 years. He will do good for a short time and
then returns to the same problem again and again. He will not always rate the first barrel,
sometimes even running up the fence. I have rode him w/ many different bits. The harsher
the bit...the choppier his turns become. Currently, I ride him w/ a Swivel Polo which was a
result of needing something less harsh than the Rutledge Roper. These two bits seem to be the
only bits that I can always control him with (on the first barrel). His other two barrels are
usually always great, no matter the bit. Can you please help! I have tried lots of slow work over
the years......and have had him vet checked just a month ago! Thanks, Stacy Arnecke
Answer:
Hi Stacy,
It is very hard to guess through an e-mail what might be going wrong with your 11 year old horse. I can only give you some suggestions. First, I would find the best qualified vet in your area to look at leg problems and have his hocked checked to see if the fluids are good or if his hocks become dry. When you say he works for a time, that would be the first thing that I would check.
The second thing I would want to bring out to you is this: Harsher bits will never make a horse gather that is not gathering. What they will usually do is what you have experienced - make him choppier and more frightened to use his head and neck properly.
The third thing that I would try is taking him to the left barrel first for a time and see what happens.
I simply cannot do anything but give suggestions without seeing the horse or a video of what happens before he does not turn. I hope that you can figure it out or get a horse that will allow you to enjoy the sport of barrel racing.
Joyce www.loomis-kernek.com.
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