Training Help

[SacredWarGirl23]

I have a question. Is there anyone here that owns a BLM mustang? I just got one and I'm having a little bit of trouble. I need help on how to train him for barrel racing. I think I know what I'm doing but I'm not sure. I kind of want to get everyones opinions and then decide what the best way to train him would be. So if there is anyone here that knows how to train a barrel horse PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE reply. I don't know if he will be fast enough for barrel racing. If he isn't I'll train him for roping. Does anyone here rope?
Thanks
Haley

[MagnoliaFly]

Search on the internet for barrel racing training. I only did hunter/jumpers so the only thing that comes to mind is working on his lead changes and doing some endurance work to build up his muscles.

[SacredWarGirl23]

Hey,
Thanks, I was wondering want kind of exersices do you do with your horses to get them ready to jump? Oh, and I had another question, do you know how to get a horse to lunge? Everytime I try and lunge my mustang he tries to skip the running part and just do the join-up part. Do you have any ideas on what to do? I've tried everything that I can think of. I've even had my my hold the training reins while I led him in cirlces, but that didn't even work. I just don't know how to teach him to lunge. If you have any ideas I would love to hear them.
Thanks
~Haley~

[PyscoFalcon]

For barrel racing - get his fitness up with lots of hill work and cantering in 15dm circles slowly getting them smaller.

Jumping - teach them to walk and trot over polls on the floor first then teach them cavalitti.

Lunging - you need a lunge cavasson, Lunge rein and lunge whip and someone else.

Stand in the middle of a circle with the lunge lead long but not slack or taunt, the whip needs to be pointing BEHIND the horse. When you say Walk On get the person holding the horses head on the out side to walk the horse on. Walk the horse around a few times then say annnnd Trot on - with the handler helping him understand what you want.

As the lessons go on and the horse begins to understand voice commands then the handler can get further and further away until there not needed.

[MagnoliaFly]

Lunging will work if you remember that your in charge. You cant let the horse boss you around and you've got to keep that pressure on him to get him moving even when he just wants to do the join up. Using a lunge whip may help, as you create that "V" of pressure (the leadline and the lunge whip behind make a V with the horse in the middle). It may be easier for you to not worry about 30 things and just lunge him at liberty (without a leadline) if your doing it in a round corral. Its easier doing it in a round pen or corral as the horse cant pull away very far and try to muscle you down.

As your training your horse to jump, make sure he's got the physique for it and the want to do it. Some horses just dont care and dont want to jump. Begin by trotting him in an arena that has some poles or "cavaletti" laying on the ground spaced out in whatever pattern you plan on trotting him. Make sure he sees them there so he wont spook away. Then try gently walking him over them letting him go at his own pace so he knows its ok to try this new thing. After he gets bored going over it and you've worked on your two point over the pole at the walk try going at the trot a few times. Gradually add poles to walk and trot over. You can find patterns on the internet. After that, build some schooling jumps and lead him over some crossrails and low verticals. Let him know its ok to trust you and you wont turn him wrong. Once you do that the sky is the limit and you can work on doing courses, riding the jumps bareback or bridleless and so on. You can also lunge your horse with a pole on the ground in the round pen if you prefer to do it that way.

[SacredWarGirl23]

thanks for the info!!!:D

[Nevertoomany]

Has this horse had ANY training????

You need to start by lounging and teaching him words like, walk , trot, canter, lope, whatever....

Then if you want to barrel race him just get on and do it..... if he has the basics then the rest is just pulling it all together.

But basics are basics and whether you are going to barrel race, jump or just trail ride you need those basics.

There are lots of good books on basics. Try your local Extention office ( the 4-H people)

[SacredWarGirl23]

He has only been taught to lead. I can't get him to lunge because he won't go far enough away from me. Everytime I turn around he's right there. When I'm talking to someone else or petting another horse he will chase them away. He's very protective, but not vicous or mean. He just likes attention. He will only go about 1 or 2 feet from me at the max. I don't know how to get him to move away from me. If I could I would lunge him. He's just stands there and looks at me and then tries to skip the running part and just do the join up part. I don't know what to do!
Thanks
~Haley~

[PyscoFalcon]

Well I've told you how to teach him to lunge.

Everything new you do will need 2 people especially if your a distance away from him - this gives him confidance and stops him going to you.

You really need to teach him to luge and long reain before backing him.