We were barrel racing yesterday, and as i predicted, i was given Moo:)
I had trouble getting him to canter in the small space we had between the 2 barrels, so we let another person go first before our 2nd go at the barrels. One of the other helpers told me to throw my reins at him if he doesn ' t go straight away, and she showed me how. When it was my turn, he did a very high stepping trot (not a special gait, just a fast trot) and when we were running home i threw my reins at him and yes he cantered, but it didn't look too graceful when i was getting him into it. How can i make throwing the reins at him look more civilized and clean?
He is an Amazing barrel racer, we were literally 1 cm away from the barrel when we turned: D
you seem like a great rider!! And when you throw the reins, flick your wrist, it will look more clean and not sloppy!
xx
<3-M
Hi, well I'm a bit confused whether you ride english or western since barrel racing is a western sport but trot and canter are english gaits? Anyway either way there's specific aids to get a horse to canter/lope and I'm pretty sure that which ever you ride 'throwing the reins' at the horse isn't one of them, you should be pushing him on with your seat and leg. Hope this helps good luck!
Well I ride english, but I do know that sometimes the horse wont canter (or in some cases trot if its a little kid) if they feel the rider isnt ready. I'm sure hes a great barrel racer. But hes an even better horse for realizing that your not ready.
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EDIT: By not ready, I meant that he probably didnt feel comforatble with cantering and making sharp turns around the barrels. Im sure your a good rider, but he wants to protect you.
