VOL. 1 ISSUE1THE PREMIER MAGAZINE FOR BARRELRACE TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT

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CONTENTS

TAKE A MOMENT PAGE 2Introduction From Connie Combs & Bob Logan

UNDER FIRE IN COMPETITIONQuotes From the Pros

AT THE CLINIC PAGE 4What You May Have Missed

IF I'D ONLY KNOWNLearning from mistakes ~Jill Logan

ON THE ROAD WITH CHARLIEThe Big Hill and other Scary Tales

WHAT'S NEW IN HORSESHOESPerformance Shoes ~Richard Dunivan

TACK TALKEquipment Knowledge ~Nose Bands

PAGE 3

""~.....1..·.r~N......(''o/(~~I •.1'. . .

PAGE 5

PAGE 6

PAGE 10

PAGE 13

SHAVING SECONDS PAGE 14Straight to your Pocket ~Connie Combs

CROSS TRAININGRunning Straight ~Bob Logan

COLT TRAINING - PART I PAGE 20Starting and Imprinting ~Bob Logan

PAGE 16

LOOKING AT YOU PAGE 25Race Anxiety ~Dr. Jeanette Drews, P.h.D.

NEXT ISSUE - DECEMBER 2002Tune Up - WNFR

Winning Big in Small Arenas

Colt Training Part II

Janet Stover - Gets Personal

BARRELRACINGTOWIN.COM 1

FROM CONNIE AND BOB

'llob £ooan slidino on:Roanie.

2Votia the bridle.rwl,aI bridle, /IOU ask?&adly ... balanu rmd

training are crllcial to success.

First, we'd like to introduce ourselves. It's always a positive step towardbuilding trust to start with some information about the people (and horses)you're working with.We've spent our lives STUDYING horses. We've paid attention to how

they move, how they learn, how they react to different riders, and whattechniques make them perform better.We've been training horses for over a combined 55 years. We have

searched and studied the best techniques that have promised POSITIVERESULTS and a DISCIPLINED horse .... We have also studied the worsttechniques and found out what doesn't work in horse and rider training.We ANALYZED a barrel turn in minute detail. The common thread in all

there is to learn is that discipline creates performance and consistency buildsconfidence.Through the combination of discipline and consistency comes SUCCESS.

We've taught thousands of students to understand horsemanship as an art aswell as a science. The SCIENCE lies in skills like reining, cutting, workingcow horses and barrel racing horses.The art is found in the partnership that can develop between the horse and

rider. As this partnership becomes more perfect, it becomes the mark ofEXCELLENCE in both horsemanship and showmanship.Each of us wants to become the best at what we love to do. So, let's begin ....

Take a deep breath, relax and loosen the trainer in you as you prepare to read.Let's see if our ideas can help you and your horse become PARTNERS in allthat you are capable of becoming. Let us help you find the best way to trainyour horse.

Connie trainino at hallie em IlD'ram:.h

Cuttino, reminD (!lid

barrel raano rely onbalance, timi,'B andtotnl trus; betweenhorse and rider.

2 BARRELRACINGTOWIN.COM

- Connie & 'l?ob

1'1-

Jill £ooan trainino

QUOTES FROM THE PROS

"Don't look at who's running barrelswhen you get there. . . JUST RUN!"

-Tammy Childers Pro Barrel Racer since 1997

Wh .. · · "DON'Ten runnmg m competition,TRAIN ..... RIDE TO WIN"

Keeping a journal helped me a lot.

I took lessons from Connie

and kept a journal after every lesson.

It helped me when I was home to

remember what I was taught.

I had Connie look it over and to make I .

sure it was right.- Courtney Chance2002 OYRA Junior BarrelRacing Champion

Under Fire in Competition

''Don'tbe afraid of losing. "

"Control creates confidence"

"You need to have confidence thatyou can move your horse during your run."

-Janet Stover: 2001 World Champion

Photo by Dan Hubbell

BARRElRACINGTOWIN.COM 3

At the Clinic

WHAT YOU MAY HAVE MISSED

Look ahead to where you need to put your horse.

Always stay balanced in your saddle.

Practice moving your horse straight up the middlebefore crossing over.

Enjoy yourself, relax and ... have fun.

Keep your horse up straight - do not lean intothe barrel.

Drive up into the barrel.

4 BARRElRACINGTOWIN.COM

BARRELRACINGTOWIN,COM 5

JILL LOGAN

Learning from mistakes

During my past practices I circled my mare before I ron, Withoutthinking I just ron in towards the first barrel, As I passed through thetimer my more hesitated to make a circle before the first barrel like

YOU could go and run your most important run over again? we always had done in the year before this moment in time, But IWhat if you could rewind time like a tope recorder and enter couldn't go back now so I steered my mare to the first barrel frettingthe arena gate again? What if you could go back to the most about why I didn't circle like we hod always done, Not realizing I

embarrassing moment in competition and erase it forever? How was already to the first barrel my mare sot to rate and turn, I slowly,much would you pay to have a "Do-Over!" These stories are for us and I repeat slowly, brought my brain back to the moment at hand,

barrel racers who have "been there and done that", to laugh ond We made a decent turn thanks to my mare,reflect and hopefully learn from my mistakes and possibly from Heading to the second barrel I could feel my mare lose allothers, confidence in her and me, I had led her astray when we entered

It was 1997, I was entered into the second the gate, We were not a team anymore, She ron about

barrel futurity of my life, I was ready (so I ~ 9 !J ~ ~r- 'i. 1 'l. two strides away from the barrel and I sot to rate

thought!, my horse was ready (so I thought), I ..~ ~~,,:' ~ 'f. ~. "',_ f. 'l-!! :"1'\..,~ it was all down hill from there. My maredrew well, fourth out, The National Anthem __::,::_,,;....:..._._-=------al--=j'=-=-..~ , "ok, you want me to turn, I'll turn" right

was playing, the stars and stripes floating in front of the barrel. Let me tell you, itaround the arena horseback, My mare -==-wasn't a pretty picture, In fact, I wasn't

was relaxed, warmed up and my hat even in the picture.pinned down tight. - I collected my self and said a few

I looked good. I had all new ~hoice words to myself, and circledclothes. I wanted to look the part. ~ the second barrel. Then, angrily, I ranIt took me two weeks to pick out the to the third barrel and to my surprise

perfect two blouses I would wear it was like we hod practiced sofor my two runs. Image is fervently a thousand times before,

everything, if I didn't win I was Out the gate and right to the horse

certainly going to look good. My trailer with my "No Time"mare was all groomed, bathed, and documented behind my name. It was

shiny with show sheen, New a total disaster.matching splint boots adorned her However, that disaster taught me alegs. few things that I wish I had known

I watched the first three runners go, before I ran through the gate, First, IOne horse was one I had beaten at the ---- believed I was Bonnie Barrel racer and got

previous jackpot and I remember thinking, ...-- so caught up in judging others that I did not"well I can beat them," (Rude I know but you ..::::,.......---. on what I needed to accomplish. Second,

have all thought the same thing about sorneone.] ...it I would have let my mare know when she wasOne horse fought his rider terribly and I thought, "wow, so scared that she was not alone, by a pet on the neckif I just run smooth like we do in practice we can beat them." I or a kind word. Third, had I only made the familiar circlewasn't being cocky I just thought I was farther along than I was, before my run and relaxing both my mare and I, we would have

I hear my name come out of the announcers' booth, I'm up, Now worked as a team, Hod I concentrated more on my run than mymy stomach sat down on the bench along the arena entrance, My wardrobe, we might have been more prepared, and, who knows

heart beating in four time. I approach the gate walking qUietly and we might have had a decent time.pleased that my mare was so confident. Two steps from the arena, Competition is tough out there, But that's why we do it. It's funmy mare stopped and I could feel through two saddle pads a and a rush, and yes it's the toughest thing you'll probably ever dowooden tree and my cute matching pants my mares heart pounding, but if you learn from your mistakes then you are rides ahead of the

Without thinking too much about it I egged her on. rest of them,~

(),f)hat if. ..

On The Road With Charlie

THE BIG HILL & OTHERSCARY TALESCHARLIE CHILDERS

My First Trip to Denver

DenverWestern Stock Show Rodeo, the first big money of thenew year. That's if your money comes out of Pro-Rodeomoney. A good win at Denver can throw you to first place in

the standings right now. Oh the moment of glory this could be!I remember our first trip to Denver. It's interesting how there's

almost always something special about your first trip. I am sure youwould agree. Without specials moments like this, there wouldn't bea need for words like 'Rookie"

So in one sense, this becomes a typical departing ritual, as wewatch our homestead disappear in the rear view mirror. Tammyasks? " Now, do you know where we are going?" And as my footstarts to thump in an impatient rhythm, here come the comments,from the boss. I answer "Yes."

Now, I'm not exactly a stranger to the highways, or to DenverColorado. In ten years I've pulled nearly a thousand loads of cattlethrough that town. I figured that if I could navigate an eighteenwheeler through their rush hour, I could slip this little horse trailer bycompletely unnoticed.

I've justgot one question though, "Why the heck do they have thatrodea in january?" If they haven't noticed this place is nestled in thebosom of the Rocky Mountains. Its nickname is the "Mile High City.'Every geographical fact about it means this place is gonna beunbearably cold in january. Wouldn't you agree?

Well okay, there ain't no "truck driving cowboy'gonna spook out from a little drop in temperature.So we leh our southwest desert home andheaded up the west side of the "big hill" on1-70. Beautiful country. I'd recommendthe drive to anyone, maybe injuly or August.

It started

snowing on us just as we slipped into the canyons east of Grandjunction, it was obvious this wasn't the first time it had snowed thiswinter. You know the burms of snow, the plows leave on the side ofthe road, never bothered me much in an 18 wheeler full of fat cattle.

But this time I've got a $40,000 truck hoaked up to a $40,000horse trailer loaded with a couple of panies that my wife Tammyswears are priceless! (How much is priceless?!)

No, self respecting desert cowboy would ever allow himself toget tangled up in a situation like this! Wanna bet?

Really, it wasn't so bod in Rifle. In fact, by the time we got to theEisenhower Tunnel I was thinking how bad I wanted to go back toRifle. But oh no. Tammy, sat reading her magazine, with her fingerpainting onward. Now the tunnel is the only level spot on the wholemountain. The sad part about the tunnel is it's at the top of thehighest mountain in the world (almost). Once you are in the tunnelthere is only one way to go - downhill.

You remember those special things we were talking about a bitago? Well, there are few things as special as going

downhill on 25 miles of solid ice in the outfitbefore described. If you were running

solo things might not seem sostressful. But have you

ever watched thetail of your

"Have you ever watcbed the tail of yourfancy horse trailer trying to pass you on the left side, and

at the same time tried to think of your answer to your wife'scomment, "Honey, are you alrigbt?"

6 BARRELRACINGTOWIN.COM -r _--'j,,-..:._ _= ~ . _ _ _ r __

- - - -,= _ - - - __ I

- - - -

fancy horse trailer trying to pass you on theleft side, and at the same time tried to thinkof your answer to your wife's comment,"Honey, are you alright?".Well, if I've learned anything from pulling

a barrel racer down the road - often timesthe best answer by far is to keep your mouthshut. You don't really have to say things like"Hell no! We're only doing 55 mph off thishill sidewoysl!' It won't change anything.Tends to break your concentration andbelieve me, you need to be concentratingabout now.

I got her straightened out, the truck andtrailer, "not the barrel racer" About half waydown, we ran out of ice and snow at leaston the pavement that is. I could feel theoxygen going back into my lungs and theknots loosening up in my small intestines.You know a colicy horse has got to roll totwist a gut. Not a man, he can do it justsitting in one spot.

After a few miles of dry rood everythingwas back to normal except, for that feelingthat settles in, when she thinks you did it allon purpose. Trustme, keep your mouth shutand drive cause it ain't over yet. "You maythink it is, but its not"

The vision of your ou~it rolling through thesnow has almost, faded and you survivedthe longest downhill dual you ever want todrive. Believe me!

Life is good by now. I've finally workedup the nerve to ask my honey to pour me ahalf cup of hot coffee. About that time youpass this huge sign that says "Caution steepdownhill grade 5 miles ahead."

Okay, if we're coming to a steepdownhill grode, what was the grade we justcome off of. And of all times to give upsmoking. Donuts can be fatal trying tochoke them bock up. This is also the placewhere you subconsciously touch the brakesand consciously realize that they acted likeyou stepped on the clutch. Here's whereyou feel like a guinea pig in a scienceproject. You wonder justwhat kind of senseof humor does God really have? Remember·the small intestine? Yep! It's knotted up liketangled baler twine again.

That's alright, you don't have time tonotice the pain. According to the last signyou passed, your maximum speed shouldbe 35 mph. Okay you dropped down agear and your engine is in shock, rewing

well into the red. As you start the six miles,at six percent decline down into Denver

Ten seconds later your broke pedal istouching the floor board, your driving 55mph and the tac is pinned against the redline. Your truck sounds like the neighborsrunaway lawnmower and you guessed it, afar away voice asks " Honey are wealright?"

There is something about rodeo cowboysand grand entries and there is no more agrand entry than flying into Denver in acloud of smoking brakes and burning oil at75 mph. The corvette that passed us twentymiles ago looked like he was parked in thepassing lone as we went by.

As your momentum starts to slow you passthe Washington street exit. It's the one youwere supposed to toke. But you didn't haveany brakes left, anyhow. So [ust keep on

trucking toward Kansas. And yes thatfamiliar voice, will come to you again,saying "wasn't that the coliseum we justpassed, honey?"

"Don't answer" Just let your brakes cool(as well as your nerves) as your momentumdies off. There will be an exit between hereand the Mississippi river that you can turnaround on.

Six hours later you realize you shouldhave been watching for the Washingtonstreet exit instead of the coliseum. Becauseyou can't see the coliseum from the east sideof 1-70. Don't worry you can turn aroundagain before you go up that six mile steepgrade Usually on your next few passesyou'll catch the Washington street exit. Andyou thought you hod all the fun you couldstand. You ain't seen nothing yet! a\...

- Yours truly the sagebrush cowboy

KANSAS

If you are going to Denver for the first time: things to know

HOW TO GET THERE

UTAH

-Do your research-Be prepared to hunt for the coliseum, it's lit with a 40 watt light bulb in themiddle of the parking let-Avoid the mental image in your mind of how it looks, it's,wrong!-Expecr it t~be cold '.' .-If you can avoid JUNping the big hill ( Vail apd Eisenhower pass) do it!-Keep your rig in top shape especially the brakes.-lf you're not set up to hold it going down the hill don't go up the hilL- From Utah to Denver via 1-80-Cheyenne, WY. is only an hour longer ( maybe an hour and ahalf) than: goin,g1-70-Plan on staying at the fairgrounds north of the coliseum.Your horse can breathe there.-There's not much room to warm up. Give yourself plenty of time.-Cool 'em off before you go back outside and use a blanket if its cold Ut will be).

BARRELRACINGTOWIN.COM 9

type of horse too much traction around the barrels if the horse isprimarily used for roping or cutting or both.

For the average barrel racing horse's hoof, it is essential thatmedial-lateral balance be achieved so the correct lead can bepicked up on its turnsaround the barrels. A lower angle on onefront hoof compared to the other can contribute to the shoulderof a horse dropping too low into a turn causing, the horse to hita barrel. The idea of lowering lateral hoof walls to improve turnsis a poor choice in my opinion, as I have seen coffin jointproblems occur in barrel racing horses with long standingimproper mediolateral hoof imbalance.Overall, a hoof angle of 53-58 degrees is needed to maintainperformance in these horses. Keeping angles elevated will

prevent too much stride length, breakthe foot over faster, decrease leverageand increase elevation near the stridearc end. Low angles lengthen the stridecausing too much overreach aroundthe barrel, and can prevent a horsefrom making a tight turn. This can odda fraction of a second per barrel,slowing down the overall time andpreventing a competitor from plaCingand winning prize monies. Low hindangles aggravate low backmusculoskeletal pain and increase thechances of deep flexor tendon injury.

Sore backs and hocks are frequentproblems that hinder speed in a large

percentage of barrel racing horses. It is common to find pain ortenderness to the touch when running a finger ond thumbsimultaneously from the withers to the dock along both sides ofthe spine indicating the bony column support in the vertebraeand sacrum have been compromised. Low heel angles causestrain on the biceps femoris and semitendinous muscles. Awedge shoe with a built in lift is helpful or a lift riveted under theheel branch alone can be used.When a barrel horse "sets"he slows down his speed enough

to make a good turn, then "collects' by gathering hishindquarters under him allOWing him to shorten his stride for thestop and turn. Horses having longer hind strides "set" harderand are more prone to back and hock injuries. Runninga longerheel shoe will provide hock and hind tendon support.

Owners commonly complain their horse consistently forges

What's New In Shoes

PERFORMANCE SHOESRICHARD DUNIVANT

Find the Optimal Shoe for Optimal Performance

Competitive demands on performance horses areincreasing. The farrier industry is experimenting with thefunction of specific hoofwear.

Each specialty horse needs footwear designed for the taskdemanded of it. For many years, precise shoeing techniqueshave been the rule for Standardbred Racers and TennesseeWalking horses. Recently, owners and competitors whocompete with barrel racing horsesare demanding the same fortheir equine athletes.

Littleattention has been given to the barrel racing industrywhich continues to be one of the largest growing equine sports.Equistat reports that barrel racing events paid out 12.2 milliondollars or more in 1998. These figures come from top futurities,professional rodeos, derbies,sweepstakes, National Barrel HorseAssociation Supershows, National andState shows and World championships.Barrel Horse News estimates there are50,000 barrel racing competitorsnationwide.

Barrel racing arenas vary in soilcomposition depending on the area ofthe country that ultimately affects thehorses footing. A professional rider mayrun in deep sand one weekend, slick mudand clay the next, followed by a run onsticky gumbo soil or hard rock gravel- allin the same month.

ALL barrel horses move differently and arena compositionsvary greatly, so there is not one specific way to shoe the barrelhorse. The use of numeroustechniques can be used to enhancebreokover, improve overall speed, promote tighter turns, shortenstride length, correct forging and prevent strain on the lowerback musclesand leg tendons.

It is best to watch the barrel horse runa pattern to judge whattype of shoe will promote optimum racing performance. A slowmotion video of the horse can be helpful to check the horseshoof breokover, length of stride, and traction around the barrels.Check for gait faults such as forging, a history of hockproblems, and what job the horse performs when it is not barrelracing. In many areas of the country the horse is utilized as aworking ranch horse, cutting and roping during the week andbarrel racing on the weekends. You may not want to give this

10 BARRElRACINGTOWIN. COM

The Sidewinder shoe manufactured by Thoro'bred racingCompany was designed by Richard Dunivant to be placed onhorses such as; polo ponies, barrel racers and roping horseswhere speed and quick directional changes are essential foroptimal performance. It is made of high grade aluminum and is3/8 of an inch thick by 3/4 of an inch wide.

The shoe's underline is concave to allow weight bearing to beplaced off the sole and onto the hoof wall where naturedesigned it to be. Aluminum, as opposed to steel, has beendemonstrated to absorb more concussion from ground strikeforces which, helps prevent subsolar bruising that can hinderperformance.

A full crease provides additional traction. A rolled, slightly

squared (blunt) toe accelerates breakover which enhances speedand protects injury to the deep flexor tendon. Athletic horsesthat are required to make sharp turns and quick directionalchanges place stress on joints and the ligaments that hold thejoint capsule in place TOO MUCH traction in a turn placestremendous torque on the articular cartilage that cover the endsof the bones in the joint capsule. With time this can lead to thedevelopement of degenerative osteoarthritis. TOO LITTLEtraction in a turn overstresses the tensile strength of theligaments that keep the joint capsule in proper alignment oftenleading to strain,tearing or complete rupture of ligament tissue.Side notches were employed by farriers for years on snow shoesto prevent slipping on ice. The notches in the shoe edge allowthe horse to adjust the amount of traction needed.

Any questions regarding the "Sidewinder Shoe" can beaddressed to me bye-mail at:RDuni48318@aol.com.

and looses shoes. Careful evaluation by the farrieris needed to ascertain why. Conformation rarelyaffects this problem but incorrect shoes and/orshoeing methods are usually to blame. Are the frontangles too low? Are the front shoes too heavy?

Often elevated front heels with lower hind angleswill create a forging problem in a barrel racer.Higher front angles break the axis of the footforward with the support anterior ollowinq thefetlock to drop lower with weight bearing. The frontfoot has a higher, shorter arc and the hind foot alower, longer arc .so that the back foot "clips" thefront. Lighter aluminum front shoes olten help.Squaring the back toe will hasten breakover andprevent forging by removing the pointed toe thatstrikes the front foot. When squaring a toe of ashoe, no matter where the apex of the frog points,the middle of the square should be straight off theend of the frog apex. Draw a 'T' square type ofposition off the apex to ensure proper breakoverwhen looking down at the sole. When the hoof ison the ground surface it may look toed in or toedout, but it is squared properly if centered off theapex of the frog.

Olten the farrier in an effort to prevent forgingand pulling off a shoe will undershoe a barrel racerand/or "cork in heels". Turning the branches of theshoe in will contract heels and predispose to thedevelopment of navicular disease. Undershodhoofs allow concussion to occur without support.Dr. Bill Moyer, equine veterinarian at the LargeAnimal Department at Texas A&NI University, states,'This has the ultimate effect of reducing the bearingsurface of the foot and creates the same effect asthe low heel, long toe configuration". Barrel horsesneed to be shod tight, with minimal room for heelexpansion on the front, and reset more frequently,like every four to five weeks, to prevent heels andquarters from overgrowing the shoe. The backshould be shod allOWing normal hoof expansion.Use an acrylic composite to fill any lip oroverhanging shoe edges if necessary.

There are numerous shoes that can be usedsuccessfully on the barrel horse. Shoe these horsesas light as possible. "Weight" teaches Dr. DougButler "no matter how added, increases the footflight arc, decreases agility, endurance, slows downbreakover, increases fatigue, and makes a higher,longer flight arc". Use aluminum wheneverpossible.

Thorobred, Inc. has a variety of racing plates thatcan be used on barrel racers successfully. TheWorld Racing Plate design eases breakover andreduces fatigue. Dr. Kimberley Henneman, DVM.

BARRElRACINGTOWIN.COM 11

reports that WRP's placed onthorougbred and quarterhorse racershave lesstraction problems in mud, bettergrip on the track, and decreased injuriestq the sesrnoid, front ankles and legtendons. The hind WRP has a set backtoe with a raised heel equal to the toeheight. I have also used the LowToeRacing Plateon horseswho frequentlycompete on sandy soils and hard soilarenas.

An inner rim shoe has been popular foryears on polo ponies. The Victory EliteInner Rim is a good choice for deep soiland helps the barrel horse make quickdirectional changes withoutcompromising traction.

The Natural Balance Shoe (NBSI is agood shoe that enhances breakover andpromotes soundness because the designis so close to the natural wear of wildhorses. This is a good shoe to place ona barrel horsewith hoof capsule distortionor one that performsmore than one rodeo

event simultaneously, like barrel racingand cutting.

Toe grabs can be used, but withcaution. Since the odds of suspensoryapparatus injury is three and a half timesgreater. The higher the toe grabs height,the greater the risk of injury according toDr. AI Kanes, a University of Californiaresearcher. Pratt describes a "self-protected stride mechanism", where athigh speeds, torque develops shiftingweight anteriorly to posteriorly with lessresistance and a vertical loading pattern.Thismechanism becomes lesseffective asthe horse fatigues. However there is afatigue factor present with thoroughbredrace horses with low hoof angleswearing toe grabs that is not seen on abarrel horse. A barrel horse with goodangles is only running a short patterned15-second run. He is not prone tofatigue, but the abrupt turns around thebarrel and quick stops place the forelegunder tremendous load. If a horse needs

You CARE ABOUT YOUR HORSE'S HEALTH

WIND-AID a soothing breathing aid for horses subjected to allergies, dustfrom toxic weeds, bedding. and air pollutants. Also helps relieve distressfrom "the heaves or COPD" a disease that affects the air passages andbronchi. similar to asthma in humans.

Hawthorne Products, Inc. is a subsidiary of Thoro'Bred Racing Plate Co.Inc.

So here is aproduct youshould knowabout. ..

traction coming off the barrel into thesprint between barrels, I may employ atoe grab if a rim shoe is not doing thejob. Start with a toe grab as low aspossible and keep in mind you arechanging the functional angle of the footand limb by "raising the toe". Toe grabscan also be placed on the hind foot ifneeded.

Clips on a shoe will prevent it fromslipping and can eliminate heel nails,which is an advantage with sharp turnsaround the barrel.Traction devices canalso be employed, such as screw in studsor traction nails.

There are many barrel racers that stillprefer to be shod in steel. Considering theeffect of weight on a hoof, I often use aSt. Croix Ultra Lite Steel after I havewidened the full crease. Another choiceis the TFT Performance Shoemanufactured by Tucumcari Forge. Thisshoe was designed specifically for thebarrel and roping horses. It interactswiththe dirt well, facilitates breakover at thetoe while the heel "floats" on top of theground. It is now made of lighter steelwith a concave design for self-cleaning.

I take into consideration gait faults,arena soil conditions, rider skill, hock andback problems and the natural abilities Iwould like to enhance before making adecision on the type of shoe to place ona barrel racer. It may take severalshoeings before the perfect combinationis found. I start with a four and a halfrace or city nail to lighten the load andprevent hoof injury from large nail holes.Then I can reset using a size larger nail.Overall I prefer a light weight shoe(aluminum or light steel] with a fullswedge (creased or [ullered] andconcave for self-cleaning. The fun part ofshoeing a barrel racer is that they all rundifferently and numerous shoeingtechniques can be used to enhanceoptimal performance.

Participants and sponsorships insanctioned barrel racing events increasesevery year. Successful shoeingtechniques for the barrel racing horsewillbe demanded by owners and trainers.As farriers, we are going to have to keepone stride length ahead. ~

12 BARRElRACINGTOWIN.COM

r ;.

This photo showsthe correct positionof the nose band.

Nose bands play an importantport in the proper training ofyour horse at any stage. A

properly adjusted nose band will keepthe horse from opening his mouth toomuch to get away from pressure fromthe bit. If a horse learns to get awayfrom the pressure in its mouth, byopening it, instead of giving andflexing at the pole, they will soonlearn to run through the bit and runoff, instead of giving and stopping.This is why horses without a nosebond will not stop, they just opentheir mouth and relieve thepressure, and run right throughthe stop. When you pullanthe reins you need to make

Tack Talk

EQUIPMENTKNOWLEDGENose Bands Help Your Horse

Perform Better

sure the nose band ishigh enough up thehorses nose to leaveenough room for the bitnot to pinch the lip.

Nose bonds comein a number of typesof material, rangingfrom leather, ropeand nylon. All arefine if they areeasy to adjust botharound the polland the nose. Youwont to be able toput one finger inbetween thehorses faceand the noseband. Ropecan be rough

on the nose and make sores. I like leather or nylonbetter.

Nose bands are different than tie downs. Tie downskeep the horses head from getting too high. There arealso nose bonds called dropped nose bonds. They sitbelow the bit and also keep the horse from opening hismouth. I personally don't like this because it puts toomuch contact between the bit and mouth. I feel there isnever release of the bit, when you release your hands.

Once again make sure before you ride that the lipsare not pinched anywhere between the nose band andthe bit. If it does it will couse the horse to get sore fromthe pinching, the horse will start to flip their head anda war will start from soreness, that you don't need. a\._

BARRElRACINGTOWIN.COM 13

1. Take your horse and walk towards the third barrel.

If you ore going to the right barrel first, stay straightand walk towards the third barrel. Don't look at thefirst barrel, or let your horse lean or step into the first ,1----.;:-

barrel. You're sending your horse forward. Whenyou g~t your horse's hip post the first barrel, you willsit deep in the saddle, with your feet forward andstop your horse straight. Count to ten, push your

horse forward one step, th~n mcke a square turntowards the first barrel: Don't let your horse roll his

:belly out and lean end step into the barrel, keep your. horse straight, look towards the fence.

2. Wilen you walk straight to the next point, look to the fence .. I...._;~"""

Don't look to the ground. Push your horse forward post the firstbarrel. When your horse's hip is post the barrel, sit down in -the saddle and stop your horse straight. Do not let your horse I_~-get out of alignment at this stag~. Keep your horse's hipstraight in line, don't let your horse step in towards the barrel.Sit quiet and count t~ ten ..

~ -_~ I"'"~~==~=---------------------------,~-~ -=--: 5. Head for 'he secooci barrel and follow the~ - _: steps again croono me oiher two borrels. Stay~--_____ • at a walk up' yoo are confident that your horse

~- --=== and you are t:x:>!h go:rlg straight. Then, in time,~ --.;;;: you will be aole Ie> iTOI lope and gallop through~ ... the same exercises. 3e consistentand your horse:::-_ ~ will learn fasler and ., will be easier on your....... - h d~ _ orse an you.~----~~~~~------------------------~.;:: --=-~.:::t.. -~..._ :.------~ --

,.-", .-. '';'''';'----_---_.-'-:-..- -.,_,

~---._~

::,._~ .. -=--r-- ..

A

3. Next take a step forward and haveyour horse walk a squore turn. Youshould now be pointed towards thetimer. When tile horse's hip is past thebarrel sit down, say ~hoa, and stopyour horse-straight. Once again don'tlet him step into the barrel or lean intothe barrel. This may toke some time tofix bath of you. Think straight. Sit quietand count to ten.

4. Now you are going to finish your turn. Take a stepforward, make a square turn and head for the next pocketon the second barrel. Always walk straight, don't look downat the ground, don't let your horse walk crooked. If you feelyour horse start to weave or lean stop him and back him upa couple of steps and get his hindquorters bock upunderneath him again, sit a second and th~n move on.

"Balance makes everything easy."

-BARRELRACINGTOWIN.COM 15

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As you become balanced your horsebecomes balanced ...

When you have balance and timing,it's easy for your horse to be a champion ...

Our gool is to get horses to perform withsoftness, and grace, while maintainingbolance. When we have to fix a problemwe have, it needs to be fixed gently. Somehorses can take a little more pressure thanothers, and some can't.

When you are trying to get your horse torun straight to the pocket,and your horse isn't, it maybe because you have nottaught your horse to lope ina straight line while ridingin the arena.

It's important tounderstand when training,we may not even be able to lope in astraight line without our horse making amistake. But, If you can get to the pointwhere your horse will make one completestraight line in the arena, and listen to you allthe way and not lean on you, or travel allover the arena, that's progress. And don't besurprised if the horse goes one way good,and when you change directions, they revertbock to their beginning behavior. This isnatural. It's the way a horses brain is set up.

He can be good on one side and bod onthe other side. Every time you train prepareto keep training your horse to run straightand soon the mistake will be eliminated. Thehorse is likely to make the mistake for sometime, but stay with them until theyunderstand.

Trust your horse. Too often, we hong onthem, until they do not know how to make amove on their own. In the training world, thegool is to turn the horse loose and to let thehorse perform by itself. Sometimes, you justhave to let the horse make mistakes, so youcan show your horse how to do it correct.

By letting a horse make some mistakesandletting the horse make its own decision, weteach them to work on their own. At thebeginning, we help them by using our reins,

our feet, and our body position in the saddle,and eventually, the horse learns to maneuverand run straight on its own. Some people willlope in and turn to the left a few times, thengo to the right, bock to the left and then go tothe right again. Spend some time in this area,make sure your horse is moving in straight

alignment, this means,your horses head isstraight in front of its neck,and its neck and head,are running straight in linewith the bock, and out thetoil. Start slow and work

your way up to a lope,the lope is harder for a horse to handle itsbody movements, and control its body ports.

Running straight is critical to winning.Running straight with proper alignment keepsyou and your horse bolanced. Balance willlead to success. Remember, that training iscrucial to your success when breaking oldhabits. Train often, but train correctly. Do notcontinue practicing Rowed techniques. Shaveseconds off your time by training to runstraight to your pocket.~

Shaving Seconds Diagram~EXic~rgLS,%Bl

Change Hands /

~ ~~

STEPS TO SUCCESS

/1

1. Ride straight to 3rd barrel beforecrossing over.

2. Drive up into barrel

3. Change hands before barrel

4. Turn and look

5. Keep you horse straight

6. Balance - do not lean your body

7. Do not let your horse turn to soon.

i!

o:

~A----+ ----+

~

0/ @Af..D.. ~ .D._

T16 BARRElRACINGTOWIN.COM

/f

Excercise Training

CROSS

Ifyour horse cannot travel straight lines when asked, you willhave problems shaving seconds off your barrel time. You willalso have trouble stopping, along with many other aspects of

training your barrel horse.

If your barrel horse is arcing and turning a barrel twenty feet

before it gets to a barrel, "your horse's times will be slower". Abarrel horse con run foster when its body is straight, than whenit is arched. If you don't believe me, try and run with your headarced off to one side and not straight forword. A track coachwould never teach this to his runners.

We need to teach horses to travel in a straight line. This

takes some time, but if you use your legs and hands correctly,it can be done.

I find horses off the track travel sideways more than others.

Because of the way they are ponied by another horse at theracetrack, and when learning to run or being cooledout. When they are fresh and traveling on theracetrack, they will run with their hindquarters off to

the outside. (See Photo 1)

It's like a car with the frame bent. As you followthe car you will see the back wheels not in line withthe front wheels. Some horses travel this way and it

is mostly rider taught. The horse has learned to get

away from pressure by walking crooked and

pushing the ribcage to the outside to avoid moving

straight forward.It's very uncomfortable when riding your horse

and your body is leaning to the outside of your horseand you are not straight on the horse's back. When

your horse travels straight its neck should be in line

with its hindquarters. A line should be drawnbetween the horses two ears, straight back through

the withers and continue in line right out its back

through the hind quarters to the tail set of your horse.(See Photo 2)

With your horse traveling in a straight line the hips

are directly behind and under its body. This givesyour horse more driving power. I am sure you have

felt your horse not leave a barrel going forward, heseems to run out on an angle and can't seem to get

going 10 the next barrel. You will feel your horse'sshoulder and ribcage roll to the outside when turning

18 BARRELRACINGTOWIN.COM

down the arena. If your horse's rib cage moves out of

alignment to the left side, you need to pick up the left rein infront of the shoulder, and using your left leg push the horse's ribcage back until it comes back into alignment with your horses

body. (See Photo 4) Pick a spot on the fence, or you might setup a barrel in the arena to walk towards, to give you a target.

If your horse comes out of alignment then fix it each time till yourhorse learns to travel straight.

Your horse will soon learn when its ribcage and hindquartersmove out of alignment, you will put it back in alignment. Then

as always, move from a walk to a trot then to a lope when each

area has been perfected. As you travel to your pocket andleave the barrels, teach your horse to travel a straight line.

I have a horse at my barn that I could not keep walking instraight line. She would walk and you would feel your bodyride off to one side. She would be walking to the right side

always. I would push her back to the left side and she would

go right bock to the right side. It seemed that no matter what Idid I could not keep her walking straight. So I hod her bockworked on by a chiropractor, that fixed the problem of her notstaying in alignment when asked.

Circles are the next big alignment problem you'll have withyour horse. By walking circles and teaching your horse to keep

its ribcage in line, you are teaching body control that will helpyour horse in the future.

Start out with small circles, and teach body alignment to yourhorse. As your horse is moving in a small circle, it will

sometimes arc its ribcage out of line. So for example, if you

were traveling to the left side, your horse's ribcage would arcout of alignment on the right side.

How would you know when your horse was doing this?Well, it would feel like this, as your horse was walking in thecircle, your horse's body would arc to the right side and your

1.Practice fun exercise that teaches your horse

to run straight. (see diagram on page 20)

2.When moving straight, fix your horse and let

it go straight as long as it can.

3.Move the horse with your hands and legs.

4.Keep ribcage straight with your leg.

5.lt1s important to start slow at first.

6.Keep it fun and relax, and build up to speed.

I

I•

body would feel out of position to theright. It feels like the hindquarters aretrying to out run the front side, we callthis swapping ends. You want to feel allfour legs underneath your horse's bodymoving forward, not off to the outside ofthe circle.

To correct this, if you are traveling in

a left hand circle you need to pick up

your right hand by the horse's shoulderand take your right leg and put pressureon your horse's ribcage until your horse

moves back in line. After your horse

moves over from the pressure one step,let go of your leg pressure and hand

pressure to reward your horse for doing

what you asked. (See Photo 5)These are the basic moves to fix your

horse. If your horse refuses to move over

from leg pressure, then you need to work

on side passing your horse first beforeyou can go on with this troining.

I like to use games to teach alignment

to my horses. I will mix up their training

by loping small circles and when they

are loping in balance and in alignment,

~------ --- .......( ; -- - - '~ - -- -- -,\I r' (5) I - -~- - ......~II \ I / I II \ / I

~® I / II~ I / I I

\ ~® / II \ Y / III \ I / I II \ I / I

\ / II \ I / I II \1/ III ~ I II / I \ III / I \ III / I \ I

/ \ II / I \ 1~1I ~ I \ II ~ , \ 0 •I / ,@ '~I\ / -- - '~" I..; ~---The Game: use this diagram to improve alignment and run straight

will lope straight lines allover the

arena. I call it guiding your horse. Take

your horse and lope from one corner to

the next in a straight line. Go to the next

corner and lope to the opposite corner.

Keep doing this over and over ond then

change it up by going up the middle,

and each time your horse gets out of

alignment, by dropping it's shoulder or

pushing its ribcage out, use your hand

and leg and push it back in line. Don't

get frustrated, just keep pushing your

horse back into alignment, after about

five or six times it knows not to go out of

alignment.

(See Diagram Excercise above)

Don't let your horse travel out of

alignment at any time. Because it will get

in the habit and learn that it is OK to

travel that way. You will not enjoy the

ride, because you will always feel out of

balance while riding.

Working on this is one of the most

important training tools you can do for

your horse and you can take seconds off

your time.~

20 BARRElRACINGTOWIN. COM

COLTTRAININ

ONGOING SERIES

WITH BOB LOGAN

Starting and Imprinting your Colt

For the next few months, I will be covering the subject of coltbreaking. I feel it is very important to get your colt started onthe right directions, for the first port of its training. How you

start and imprint your colt in the first part of its training is veryimportant to you and your horse's future.

With the right start on your colt in the beginning your horse willbe imprinted forever, and you will be able to go bock and fixproblems 0 lot easier, because of what you imprinted at thebeginning. So start right and finish right.

Breaking a colt is a time consuming project at the beginningthat will bring you great ioy. If you do your [ob and be patientwith the colt, the colt will progress nicely. Yes there will be bod

, ,,' \\\'~~'~:')\\~\\\h\.\\ ,

days and good days, but it's up to you to be consisier- coo _build confidence with your colt.

I have a program that has been quite successful for me a rermany years. With every new colt I train, I will learn from him onethen I add it to my training process. Over the years I have"learned" what works and what doesn't work. And I will wethrough it with you step by step.

When doing the following exercises make sure you do -his ''1

a safe location. Either a round corral or a stall free from buckets Of

feeders they can get hung up on. Make sure there is enough roamto move around freely so the horse can walk relaxed.

BARRELRACINGTOWIN. COM 21

As soon as a horse comes into the barn for training, put a gag type snaffle in its mouth

so that it can get comfortable with carrying in its mouth and learning to keep its mouthclosed while doing so. let the horse carry it as long as it needs to.

What to look for: Moke sure 'hot the colt is eating with it and becoming comfortable withit in its mouth. This takes an' Nhe'e from three hours to twenty-four hours, don't get in a

hurry, it will only slow oowr ;'OUr train'ng later because your horse will be too busyopening its mouth to think abour what you ore trying to do in training.

"""'i"""':'"'IF""1III'""'IIr.

22 BARRElRACINGTOWIN. COM

_ Bungee Cord

After that I have the horse's tail braided with a ring in it. Braiding

the colts toil will save a lot of time for the next few days of checking

the horse around. I'll then put a full cheek snaffle in the horse's

mouth. I will also put a noseband on to help keep the horse from

opening its mouth. Make sure you keep it high enough up the

horse's face that the bit doesn't pinch when pulled around to the toil.

Toke a thin bungee cord about 6 feet long with a small snap on

either end.

About every foot

tie a knot with a

loop in it. Snap

one end to the

bit and run the

other one

through the ring

in the toil. Run it

back to the bit

and snap it on

one of the loops.

The horse's head should be bent around to the right. Just enough at first to make the horse walk around

in a circle without panicking. If you have the horse too tight in a flex it will fight too much, its mouth will

come open and the bit will pull out of the other side of its mouth.

Start your colt by tying the head around to the toil. leave the colt alone so that it can learn without

anyone around, and wonting you to toke off the equipment that is on.

I

,\\\, ~\,\ .\~.r~.~\~\\\W\

, :- .\, ',~\>,\.\\ ~\: ,\\~\\\\\~\,:

.sove the colt tied around like this for about a half an hour, and then switch sides. At first when

ou switch sides you need to be careful, your colt will be quite confused. Slowly bring the horse's

~eod around to the other side and slowly pull the bungee cord to the proper adjustment.

After about three days, put a surcingle on the colt and let them corry

it and feel it around their chest and girth, and let them get the buck

out. After the colt is ok with it, you can go on.

';!.; ~;..."!. ,"'~ '",••~V.\H\\·

Next use a check up rope to teach your horse to give to the bit. I want a colt to

be soft in the pole and mouth. This will teach the horse to learn to give when

pulled on by the reins, and not to root its nose out.

This exercise is the basis for all my training for the first

week, I want a horse to learn on its own, how to give to each

one of these procedures, before I ever get on one. I don't

need to fight with my horse ond make a mounlain oul of a

mole hill, while they are 'rying 10 learning how 10 corry my

weight; I let them learn the basic first. So many horses I ride

ore so sliff and don't know how 10 flex 01 all. This is whot I

call softening up a horse and they all con use il to help them

shave seconds off their time.

I am sure you are wondering how? When a horse get stiff

in the neck and face, its body gets stiff. It is harder to pul a

horse in the right place on the barrel or it's run down if they

are too stiff to move. Also, horses become resistant to what

you want from them when Ihey ore nol soft. Shoulders begin

to drop and hindquarters slart 10 disengage and it is all

because your horse is nol soft enough to move, they fight first

and learn later.

But if you have spent the lime in imprinling your horse this

way, you can always go back and soften them because they

were imprinted from the beginning to give when asked. I start

all colts thai come 10 me this way no matter how old they are.

From this I move on to Ihe round corral, after my horse's head

and body ore right. I will leach the correct way to lope,

sliding stop, back up, as well as the side pass and turn

around. I will go over thai in the next column.~

BARRELRACINGTOWIN. COM 23

:1I

Looking At You

Do you feel a little nervous just

before a barrel race? Those

nervous feelings have different

names like anxiety or stage fright or

performance jitters. EVERYBODY has

those same qweezy feelings any time

they compete or perform in front of an

audience. It's a pretty common human

thing to worry about how you'll look to

other people, what they'll say about

you, how you'll feel about yourself

when it's over. Some people will evenchange their mind about competing

because of these feelings and refuse

to take the risk. But those people

never get the chance to find out that

those fears are just ghosts. And, those

people never find out what it's like to

win.

We cannot experience success if

we don't take risks. The only way to

conquer performance jitters is to "do

it." Everyone has to deal with

performance jitters their own way.

But, it might help to know that those

nervous feelings can be useful to you.

If you get too nervous, it can cause

you to make unnecessary mistakes in

your performance. Relax a little

before your performance.

Remember, to set goals and then to

stay consistent with those goals. Your

goals will help you stay focused on

what you have to do now. If you are

worried about what others think, you

are spending too much time on the

wrong subject, and you are beat

already. Stay focused.~

USING YOUR RACE ANXIETYJEANETTE R. DREWS, PH.D.

Turn your race anxiety to your favor

c9 SHAVING SECONDS, USING RACE ANXIETY

1. FeaJ:Sare just Ghos~

2. RUN! , Do the one thing that ~cings on the A~xiet)1

24 BARRELRACINGTOWIN.COM

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