b'Running the RaceKeep Them On the DiagonalBy Betsy Lemairehowfastdouwannab@gmail.com, facebook.com/betsy.lemairenunn, instagram.com/betslemaire,Lemaire Barrel Horses: youtube.com/user/howfastdouwannabL et\'s talk about diagonaltotal ease and fluidity. I am always so proud of them lines in the barrel race.when they get to that point. When and where are they important? I have been on a couple of horses recentlyThis whole exercise transitions over to the barrel that maybe didnt have that instilled in them whenpattern. When your horse leaves the first barrel and they were having their foundation built. I think thatcomes across his X (where his paths cross at the first) this is something that is lacking in folks programsultimately he should switch leads. Some don\'t when sometimes. I see many horses run so straight up nextthey go fast and they have found their own rhythm to the second that they have to make their room onbut it\'s cool to teach them this. Then when they headThe next thing you know in a few days the backside of the barrel and then they over turn andto the second they are already on that left lead on a catch it leaving the barrel causing a plus five. I feeldiagonal line to the X at the second. There is no dropor a week, depending on the horse\'s like there are some things that can be done to teach aor dive and they stay round and true around theireducation level, they will be switching horse that movement before you ever hit the pattern.barrel, thus more consistency and fewer barrels hit. More round solid turns and fewer trips to the vet asleads at the X with total ease and I like to start at a trot in big forward moving figure 8\'s.it is easier on their bodies. There are no hard sharp This might seem somewhat "dressage" in a sense butangles when you put that nice diagonal line in theirfluidity. I am always so proud of them these horses have to know how to move off your legs.pattern. Their heads stay more level and it just trulywhen they get to that point. We also have to be able to pick up on the bridle reinsmakes it easier for them. without them diving into the ground. What I mean is when you pick up your inside rein that doesnt alwaysWhat have I been doing this past month? I started mean turn right now. When you put an inside leg onLemaire Pet Care in Wickenburg. I have been training your horse, use your outside balance rein and movehorses. I went to the first GCPRA rodeo of the year your outside leg back a bit that moves that horse\'sand I headed to Buckeye to the Greg Olson. Looking rib cage and puts an arc in his body. You then haveforward to 2023!!! your bum underneath you pushing with your calves driving him forward. When you pick up both reins to set a horse coming into the turn that doesn\'t mean you come to a screeching halt. Your horse needs to drive up into the bridle and keep their feet moving. They need to pick up their feet, round their back and move up into the bridle while you are in the circles of your figure 8\'s. When you come across your X, which is where your paths cross to change direction, you sit down like you are rating for the turn at a barrel and then stand back up to move them forward using your inside leg pressure more to change direction. Then you might post that trot or sit that trot to drive them into the bridle. Then when they drop their nose, come back to you and tuck their head, you openI have seen many horses duck off at the second when your hand to reward their good intentions. Keepthey have not been taught this simple task. I have also squeezing your bum and your legs moving themridden some that other folks have trained and they forward in your circle until you come to your X againare so hard to get far enough up into the barrel that to change direction. Pretty soon you can do it at athey hit them. I find that as humans we sometimes lope and break down to a trot at your X before youmake things more difficult than they need to be. If switch direction. The next thing you know in a fewyou show your horse what you want and educate days or a week,them before you ever mash on the gas pedal, things depending oncan be so much easier. This can help even a finished the horse\'ssolid horse. I think this needs to be thought about education level,more and added to the things we already know and they will bedo. I hope this year you learn and grow and think switching leadsoutside the box. And may the Lord keep you in the at the X withpalm of His hand. Until next time!BETSY LEMAIRE BARREL RACING& PET CAREBarrel Horse TrainingPet SittingDaily Chores928-231-6184howfastdouwannab@gmail.comArizonaRealCountry.com February 2023 31'