From: Rachel
Hey Jessica, I just got a barrel horse for a birthday/Christmas present. Before I got him I rode western pleasure and english, and when I ride him every day I feel like there is nothing to work on because I read a book and it said not to run your barrel horse on the barrels alot because they will get bored with it. I was thinking that I would like to do western pleasure again but that would mean having to slow him down and I dont want to do that in fear of having him slow down for the barrel races also. I was also told that a barrel horse should only do one thing so that when he gets into the ring he wants to run and not be confused on what he has to do. He is a very calm horse and the only time that he gets hot and worked up is when he sees the barrels, so I was thinking that I could use him for english because that would mean not having to slowing him down. So could I use him for english along with barrel racing him? Thanks For Your Help, Rachel
I don't see any reason why you couldn't take your horse in English classes too. Certainly the training would be good for him, and for you.
My suggestion is that you get some basic dressage lessons if you have a good instructor in your area. Dressage is all about making the horse as strong and supple and coordinated and balanced as it can possibly be, and about making the horse and rider into a good team, and all of that will help you in competition. With dressage, you can work on improving your balance and your horse's balance and responsiveness, and that will make riding much more fun for both of you. It will also help you cut your barrel times. ;-)
If you don't have a good dressage instructor in your area - or even if you do - you'll have to work alone. Let me suggest a really useful book for you: Cherry Hill's "101 Arena Exercises". Take this out to the barn with you, and work your way through it. Cherry's book has helpful illustrations and explanations, and it's a wonderful tool for someone like yourself who is wondering "What can I do with my horse today?" And by the way, the "101" number isn't really accurate. There are so many variations on all of the exercises that she could probably have called it "365 Arena Exercises". It's not "just Western" or "just English", it's general and it's USEFUL - and it will certainly keep you busy for a year - and then you can start over and do it all again. Or, if you find that you're getting interested in equitation classes, you could get another one of her books: "101 Horsemanship and Equitation Patterns" - that one will keep you busy, too.
You can also find Cherry's book of arena exercises divided into small, pocket-sized booklets called "Arena Pocket Guides" (there are "Beginning", "Intermediate", and "Advanced" booklets for both English and Western riding) at your local tack store. These are very convenient to carry on horseback, and a good way to avoid boredom in the arena. If your tack store doesn't stock them, they can get them for you.
Good luck, and have fun!
Jessica
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