b"Running the RaceGo the Path of Least ResistanceBy Betsy Nunnhowfastdouwannab@gmail.com, facebook.com/Willnunnp3, youtube.com/user/howfastdouwannabH ow many times do youAnother problem I see with this deal (and I am not see someone coming to agoing to call it a style or technique) is some of these barrel and you see theirriders cause a horse to drop in and dive. Then they horse's head go to the outside?have to go by the barrel and V it up to come around the How can that help a horsesbackside. There will be lots of hit barrels and sore horses balance coming into a turn? Now I know some top- as this is not natural for your horse. Now I know a guy notch futurity riders have done this over the years andhas to use your outside rein to guide a horse for the most have won a ton.part to a barrel unless they are trained to be one-handed to the barrel. I am not talking about the method that is usually a quick tag on the outside rein, a quick release, and on theSo what do we need to do so we dont have to turn next jump they are picking up on the inside rein. I amtheir head to the outside as soon as we leave the first referring to two or three strides from the barrel, theybarrel you ask? I am glad you asked. Wink-Wink. First pull on that outside rein and hold it until they get to theoff, when you break a horse or break them before the barrel or they run all the way to the second and thirdpattern you have to teach them to move away from directing traffic all the way with their head to the outsideyour legs laterally while you have their head tipped into until they turn the barrel with the inside rein. I knowyour inside hand moving them off the opposite direction that some really handy horses have competed and wonfrom your leg while guiding with the outside hand. Kind doing this but how much longer would they last had thisof like a side pass while making them move their feet not been the case? How much sounder would they havein a circle or a straight line. Maybe along the fences or stayed? And how much faster would they have been? around the arena once they get the gig down. The otherNext question you ask. How do I quit doing this habit? How much more would they have won?thing is you have to teach them to trot figure 8s. At yourI am so very glad you asked!! I am always watching and X, where your paths cross, you need to sit down likethinking, Oh man I wish I could just help this person! Its unnatural for them to work this way. Pulling theiryou are setting them at a barrel at your X. Then standOk, well there was a time back in my history where I use front end out from under them as they come to theback up and pick up lightly with your inside rein whileto have this habit at the third barrel. I think it was the turn can be a huge wreck. How many bell boots andtucking their head and riding them forward with bothfact that I did not want to hit it and I lost focus of my overreach spots do they have from doing this? Howlegs but applying more pressure with your inside leg.landmarks around not barrels. I would run in there and much easier would it be for them to handle the ground? You show them this at a walk and a trot and then as theypull on that outside rein as I came to my X. Therefore, get it you move them to a lope. Eventually, as they comemy horse would slice in and blow out the backside. Super To me. I think its easier on youracross that X, when theyhelter skelter move. Blowing out of that barrel used to horse to go from point A to pointbecome educated andcost lots of money as a teenager. Once I figured out how B in a diagonal line and set himunderstand what youto ride my horse consistently around all three now that two-handed while pulling straightwant, they will switchwas a huge accomplishment. As soon as I walked into the back and then go to the insideleads and at a lope whenarena with a positive thought in my mind and a plan I rein. Or a person can ride themyou ask them to, all at achanged a bunch. It took me a minute to figure it out. one-handed to their rate spot andsmooth gate. Once you all the way around the turn. Also,show them the buttonsFind the same spots going to your barrel and around a guy can be one-handed, pick upthat need to be pushedyour barrels and do things so consistently that when you on that inside rein like a broncand they understand,walk back through a pattern after working a horse twice rider in a sense, and set a horse.it will make things soat a lope you can literally see where they stuck a hung Depending on the style of thatmuch easier when youleg at the third in the same exact spot and you have to horse is how a person wouldare training them orjump off to kick the holes in. Pay attention to where your figure out what works best.retraining them to makehorse is headed and what you are doing with your hands that transition across to theand feet. Give yourself some time to change your muscle second barrel. They switchmemory and the same with your horse. Go ride with leads, you can use your legssomeone and learn some more horsemanship. and lead them with your hands on a nice diagonal line to the secondI sure hope and pray this helps some of you guys but for barrel. Their body has some arc in it to the left,now, look at the path you have been on and ponder if its for instance, if you are making a left turn at yourgotten you to where you want to be. If it hasnt dont be second barrel or some arc to the right if yourafraid to change it up and get someone to head you in second barrel is a right turn. Then you are ablethe right direction. We all mess up sometimes and pull to rate them at your X and drop the outside rein.on that outside rein. Sometimes its just survival! Since All the while their shoulder is nice and stoodI try to equate a lot of things I write to the Bible here's a up and does not trap your knee at the barrel.couple of things to chew on.They keep their feet moving and make a nice circle around the barrel. Fewer barrels hit, fewerProverbs 4:26 Watch the path of your feet. And all your overreaches, and possibly they will be able toways will be established.handle the ground a bit better without ending up pancaked on the ground. Proverbs 3:6 In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight. ArizonaRealCountry.com September 2021 49"