b"Running the RaceHow Can I Win If I Cant Get Through The Gate?By Betsy Nunnhowfastdouwannab@gmail.com, facebook.com/Willnunnp3, youtube.com/user/howfastdouwannabD oes he have any gate issues?Horses do not need a rider with a That seems to be a commontemper on their backs. At that point, question we hear when folksits time to take a break. call to inquire about a barrel horse. We all see this very often at the local jackpots andI also see individuals thinking that sometimes the rodeos as well. Sometimes we even see theif their buddy rides up with them same person one week on a horse having trouble and theon one that is bad to get in the gate next week they show up on a different horse and guessit may help. Most of the time those what? Same deal! We watch them clutched up on the bridlehorses do not want to leave that reins and the horse is backing all over the place. Then youother horse. Remember they are think, well wasnt her last horse doing this and the oneherd animals. Some riders will sit before that too? close to the gate, making them even more nervous, instead of sitting out Lets talk about why. Like this gal looks scared for one andback somewhere until their name is wore out for sure. And that horse, he for sure is not havingcalled and then coming in at a trot any fun whatsoever. Then, lets talk about things that canlike its no big deal.help possibly. I have a video on my BarNunn Barrel Horses and P3 Farrier Facebook page that talks about this so if youNext, lets talk about forward are interested please check it out. Also, please like the pagemotion. Some horses need their so that you will receive our new videos as we release them.feet to be moving and some need to be still. Figure out your horse. The first thing I talk about is a horse can really be trying toSome want a buddy and some tell you something, be sore and literally just be speaking towill chill right next to the fence you if you are willing to listen BUT I notice that there canbut whichever you are on when be a lot of pilot error or we might say passenger error.they call your name please, do not clutch up and pull back These horses can read their rider. They understand fear;when you want to go forward. they feel the tension and nervousness that is radiating fromMixed signals are always a bad their partner. The rider has a chokehold on the bridle reinsidea unless you are a seasoned and while squeezing with their legs they wonder why theyveteran that knows how to ride are vapor-locked and going backward. Lots of the time thisone up into the bridle, make is what starts this whole terrible spiral. That horse needs tothem tuck up and go forward. feel confidence when you go in a gate. Whether that means relaxation on a nervous horse or confident energy on aI also see folks that have one that does need a littleasks for forward motion. Again just like loading one that chill lay on the couch- potato chip eating horse? You ridediscipline. Whether this is something that is man-maderefuses, its the same deal.for your horse. If you are naturally a nervous person on athat has created a monster or its something that just nervous horse you might want to pray for some peace forcropped up that day, we wear our spurs and make themAnother way I have gotten ones that wont go in at the you and that horse before you leave the trailer. Visualizemove forward or we encourage them from the backendbarrel race for someone else that is having heck is, like I your run. Also, think about using some CBD for your horsejust like a little kid. There comes a point where you nipsaid, to keep their feet moving. I have loped circles in the and something to relax yourself as well. I am a dealer for athings as they happen, not tomorrow and not next week.holding pen or out back on one until they call my name and CBD company called Whoa CBD. Connect with me if youAlways have an over and under or something of thatthen I keep them moving into the arena to go make my run. want information about this wonderful product. They havenature for a little encouragement. and this is moreThis works great on many.a supplement and some great tinctures to use on the horsesfor the one that is vapor-locked, backing up or turning that need this help in their lives. There are lots of otheraround. There are also times when someone needs to beThe main thing, I think, is that when we see a rider that herbal things out there too.on the ground and encourage one on the back ankles toalways has one they can barely get in the arena to run or move forward. This is something we practice at home, andthey are so ticked that you see them headed back to the Another thing I see is younger riders that may not havethen have that person with you at the barrel race and mosttrailer saying forget it, is that they need to relax. Every been at the game very long. They want to run and run andof the time your horse remembers the practice. Its likehorse that they ride ends up like this and these poor folks practice one more time on a horse that knows their job. Doloading a horse. Encourage and as they move forward,have spent thousands of dollars at the vet's office thinking they think maybe if they run one more time they will gethonor that and back off. At the same time, the rider needsthere must be something wrong. Well, there is but not with it right? NO!!! You need to back off and practice for yourto ride them forward with their legs and act like theythe horse. Now I dont say this to be mean but I have just horse, not yourself!! Get off and go run the pattern yourselfmean it. This same thing works on one that stands up onseen this my entire life. I feel bad for them and their horses on foot about ten times now instead of on your horse.their hind legs. The guy on the ground encourages andbecause they are both frustrated. The rider has caused the confusion in the horse and now the horse has figured out These horses can read their rider. how not to go in the arena and the cycle just goes on and on. My advice would be to get together with someone that has ridden a gazillion of them, get some help on how to ride They understand fear; they feel the tension anda horse forward and on how to react to what they throw at you. Dont go to the average Joe that has decided in the last nervousness that is radiating from their partner. few years that they are a horse trainer. You need someone that knows how a horse thinks and can get in your head as well. You need, in my humble opinion, to get outside help before it gets worse. 52 January 2020"