Understanding Barrel Racing Horses
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Horse Training : About Barrel Racing Horses |
 Understanding Which Horses Make The Best Barrel Racing Horses
Copyright (c) 2008 Robb Fowler
Horse Clicks
http://www.horseclicks.com/
Robb Fowler
Contrary to what some people believe, not every horse is an ideal
candidate for barrel racing. Though there are fewer particulars
than there are when looking for a Thoroughbred that will be a
winner on the race track, there are a number of different
characteristics that will be found in great barrel horses.
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When you look at horses for sale, you may be looking for a horse
that will be good with the kids. You might be looking for a horse
that you can bring into the racing world. But some of you will be
looking for something more specific; those of you who have seen
barrel racing at rodeos or even on television events might be
thinking that barrel horses may be a great option.
Contrary to what some people believe, not every horse is an ideal
candidate for barrel racing. Though there are fewer particulars
than there are when looking for a Thoroughbred that will be a
winner on the race track, there are a number of different
characteristics that will be found in great barrel horses.
Temperament can play a role in the success of barrel horses just
as much as the horse's skills, character, training and lineage.
You read that right - even with barrel horses, you'll find that
one of the major considerations that many buyers have is the
lineage of the horse. A barrel horse's bloodlines can help to
identify how successful past generations in the line were, what
the horse was bred for and can provide a sense of what the horse
will be able to accomplish during the race.
Of course, more than the bloodlines, most buyers find that, with
barrel horses, it is about the build and health of the horse. A
good barrel horse has legs that are straight, and if you're
buying a horse that's already been raced, you will want to be
sure that its legs are free of any bumps or external scars. It's
important to be sure that the horse's hooves are healthy, that
its back is strong and that the horse is flexible and athletic.
To some extent, you will be able to tell whether or not horses
for sale are healthy based on looks, however, before you make a
commitment to making a purchase it is usually a good idea to have
a veterinarian check to make sure that there's nothing
underlying that cannot be seen by the human eye.
If barrel horses have been worked with by trainers to get them
ready for the sport, you will want to gather information about
the trainers and their experience. The trainers, much like the
horse's lineage, can tell you a lot about whether the horse that
you are looking at is going to be ideal when you're looking for
barrel horses that you will be able to take around the country to
ride at events with the hopes of - someday - competing in some of
the sports' biggest competitions.
On the other hand, if you only plan to participate in a race or
two during the local rodeo season, you're likely to find that
you are looking for a very different horse. Yes, the animal's
health and build will still be important to you, but you won't
want to focus as much on professionally trained barrel horses.
Choosing a horse that is good for overall riding as well as
barrel racing can, quite possibly, save you $20,000 or more.
In either case, you are going to want to focus more on the health
and build of the horse than on the coloring and markings -
characteristics that those who are looking for a horse for
afternoon rides can focus on a bit more. When you are looking at
horses for sale and trying to find barrel horses, you'll want to
focus your attention on Quarter Horses which are great at running
at high speeds in short bursts, or, if you prefer, Pintos and
Paints.
Whichever horse you choose as your barrel horse, it is important
to recognize that you won't just be heading into the ring to
compete. In order to keep barrel horses ready - and to get them
ready if they haven't previously been used for barrel racing -
you are going to need to focus on building the horse's lung
capacity with long trotting on a regular basis. A good goal to
set for barrel horses that you are conditioning is the ability to
keep a fast pace for six to eight miles at least three days a
week.
To that end, keep in mind that conditioning barrel horses is not
just exercise for them; it's also exercise for you.
About the Author:
Robb Fowler writes about horses and horse ownership. To find
horses available for sale where you live, please visit the
HorseClicks marketplace to find Barrel Racing Horses for Sale:
http://www.horseclicks.com/
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