By Billie McNamara
You have decided that you want to start barrel racing. But just where do you start? First thing you need, is a decent barrel horse. You must realize your limitations, and the limits of the horse. Have a set goal in your head of what you really want to do or how far you would like to go with this horse. If you are a beginner barrel racer, do not go out and buy a 1 D horse where the ad says “Experienced Rider Needed”. This doesn’t mean you are not an experienced rider, but the horse is going to know more about his job than you do, and he can learn to short you in it. But if you are a beginner, buy an older horse that has been seasoned to start on. Then later on, you can purchase a prospect and work with him yourself. You must start somewhere, and you will have more confidence if you start with a horse that is going to help you along the way.
If you want to just do smaller shows for fun, then an older seasoned horse would be great for you, or a horse that someone is selling because they want to move up a division and need something faster. If you decide you would like to compete in bigger shows, like the NBHA or money shows, then you need a horse that is going to have the ability to last you a while. A younger horse, but one that has been seasoned and hauled regularly is going to be your best bet.
Money can always be an issue when buying any horse. But you get what you pay for. If you decide you want to take the cheap way out, then that is what you will get. But if you decide you want to be serious about barrel racing, and purchase a great horse, then he will be great for you, and get that money back in winnings.
After you have decided what level horse you want, it is time to find out what a barrel horse actually is. A barrel horse has to be extremely athletic. Not every horse can go from full speed to doing a 180 degree turn around a barrel. When selecting a barrel or gaming horse, you need to be more cautious then if you were buying a trail or pleasure horse. Of course you have the usual things, but there is more when you are looking for a horse that you expect to be able to run fast, stop and turn. A lot of times a barrel racer will end up with another trainer’s reject, a race horse that can’t run fast enough, a cow horse that is too hot, a reining horse that just doesn’t cut it. Not that it is a bad thing, most times they excel at other things than what they were intended for.
If you purchase a horse that is already trained, he will still need to be kept solid. Sometimes barrel horses need to go back to their foundation and just have some fine tuning. Most of the time it is just to change the routine a little. Make sure not to sour your horse on barrels by over doing it. You wouldn’t want to go to work or school every single day. As a horse owner, you need to be open not only to your horses’ physical condition, but his mental state as well. Just like people, horses tend to have off days that can be at a horse show or at home. We need to be responsible for our horses well being and focus on what the are telling us. They may be sore from working all week to prepare for the show and acting out by bucking or playing catch-me-if-you-can in the field, and people may see this as stubbornness.
One thing all “great” horses have in common is heart. They can be big horses, small horses, nice looking horses and others that look a little ugly. But they all have one wonderful thing in common, and that thing is they have plenty of heart. What we remember as we search for our ideal horse is that the quality of the individual is what’s important. Everyone has a favorite breed or color, or even bloodline. Breeding can show what the horse may be, but it can not be definite. Brothers or sisters of the horse may excel at it, and some may not. Do not rely strictly on the way the horse is bred.
Here are some of the features to look for in a solid barrel horse:
Nice Looking Head: An even face and head will help your horses upper balance. Big, wide set eyes are for better vision, and a width between them shows intelligence. Large nostrils make the horse able to get more oxygen . A shorter mouth makes a horse easier to bit, but too short can cause problems later on. His head should be carried softly and naturally when he moves.
Good Length in Neck: Will add balance to your horse, and an even run. Not too long or too short, and it should balance with the length of the back.
Size is irrelevant: A barrel horse can be 14 HH or 16 HH. As long as they are properly weight and size balanced throughout their body. Martha Josey’s Orange Smash was almost 16.3 HH!
All great horses have heart: The more heart a horse has, the more they will try for you. Horses constantly want to please, they are looking for approval from us. A horse that always gives 110% even if it is just standing still for the farrier, shows a horse with a lot of heart and try.
Quick, Athletic horse that can run: This is one of the essential things a barrel horse needs. A horse that carries himself evenly. When he is trotting away and towards you there should be no wasted motion. He should keep his hocks, knees and hoofs as close to the ground as possible. He should be able to lengthen and shorten his stride at all gaits. He should flex, be supple, but not over flexed. Jane Mayo’s, GRA Champion 1959-61, horse V’s Sandy, was not the fastest horse, but he out did his competition by being about turning hard and jumping away from the barrel fast. A Horse may show qualities that are needed only in specific areas, but even if he doesn’t have it in one, the other can sometimes make up for it
Good Length between the cheek of the rump and the hock: This length, combined with short, wide cannon bones, will help the horse travel close to the ground, giving him a balanced look and adding to that fluid “cutting horse style.” The hip and shoulder should have the same angle to help balance the horse.
Long, sloping hip and shoulder: For stride, speed and ever-important pulling and pushing power, necessary for performing fast, powerful turns. The shoulder, knee, and feet should line up. To see this, use a string with a weight on it and hold it to the front point of the shoulder and see if your horse lines up from the front. The horse should have good angles. The pastern should be average length, not too long or too short.
Long underline: For stride, a little extra length on the top line as well is a good attribute.
Well muscled hindquarters: But not overly muscled that the horse can’t move never the less, run. The muscles should be long. He should also show plenty of muscle on in and outside of his legs.
Likes to stop rather then run off and knows turn: A horse that can stand still in the chute is better than one that is hopping all over the place! Before you put “Go” on a horse, make sure he knows Whoa. You want a horse that is supple, and able to bend evenly.
Has a mind capable of keeping those qualities under control: If your horse has only physical capability you will eventually have an out-of-control horse on your hands, physically and mentally. If you buy a horse that was only a backyard barrel horse and instantly try to take him to a big barrel race and try to make him a 1D horse, you are going to have problems. When selecting your horse, keep your goals, horse choice and competitions you enter on the same level.
Age is not necessarily important: Unless he is to be a futurity prospect; an older horse may be more accepting of the pressure of training better than a very young horse. When considering an older horse, make sure you have a vet check or two done. This is where there can be old injuries that show up.
Gender: Geldings are more forgiving and easier to work with, but the disadvantage is if he is injured and his career is over, he can’t be used for breeding. But he can become a good trail horse or maybe do western pleasure. Every horse is good for something. Mares tend to be smarter and figure out ways to get around things in training. But if you get a good connection with one, they will give you all they have and more. If something happens, she can always become a broodmare. Stallions should only be hauled by someone who has exceptional experience handling them. They can be unpredictable and, if there is a mare in season around, extremely temperamental. Hauling can be an issue for mares and stallions because of the way they act around each other. Take extra precautions if you choose this route.
Breeding: Unless you are going to compete in a specific breed association, your barrel horse does not need to be registered. The National Barrel Horse Association does not require the horse be any specific breed or registry. They have everything from Tennessee Walkers to Standardbreds to Mules racing! If you are looking at buying a horse because he has a special horse in his pedigree, you are not fully looking at the horse. Even if he has a horse in his papers that is a top barrel horse sire, does not mean he will be. Or if he has a horse that is on the top of the western pleasure world, doesn’t mean he can’t be a barrel horse. Papers do not make a horse.
Hope this helps you with selecting a barrel horse. If you have doubt, have a professional assess the horse for you. Make sure you ride him several times, and have a vet check done. Barrel racing is a tough sport on horses, and they tend to sustain injuries more often then other equine sports. These problems can be underlying when the horse is being offered for sale. Take care of your racer, and he will take good care of you.
