| Barrel racing is a tough sport on both rider and | | | | getting a horse in top condition takes time and |
| horse. Barrel horses are athletes that need to be | | | | patience. Of course, if your horse is in good shape |
| in really good condition when running barrels. A | | | | before starting the program you may increase |
| horse that is not in good condition and started on | | | | the mileage faster. |
| barrels may get sore and associate the pain with | | | | On the days you aren't following the exercise |
| running barrels. This can lead to problems that are | | | | program you should your horse lightly or exercise |
| hard to correct. | | | | him in a round pen. Allow your horse at least one |
| If you plan on starting a horse on barrels or are | | | | day off a week to rest and relax. Turn him out in |
| getting a seasoned horse back into shape, start | | | | a pasture to run freely or lay around. This allows |
| on their conditioning before putting them on the | | | | his muscles to still work, but at his own, natural |
| barrel pattern. Long trotting and slow loping are | | | | pace. This also allows him to relax and not |
| the best two ways to get a horse in top | | | | become bored with the exercise program. |
| condition. These gaits will build up muscle and lung | | | | After following this program for about 90 days |
| capacity allowing the horse to perform better and | | | | you should see a vast improvement in your |
| not be gasping for air after a run. Part of getting | | | | horse's condition and stamina. He is almost at his |
| your horse into shape is building his lung capacity | | | | peak performance at this point. Now you can add |
| and stamina. Having an exercise program for your | | | | a sprint to your exercise program on one day of |
| horse is the best way to monitor what exercise | | | | the week. Start out with a walk and trot to get |
| your horse is getting. This makes it easier to add | | | | his muscles warmed up and stretched. Ask your |
| or take away parts of the program according to | | | | horse for a sprint for about 250 yards. Ask for |
| his condition and needs. | | | | as much speed as he will give you, allowing him to |
| Find a good, safe place to exercise your horse. | | | | run as fast as he can. Slowly bring him down to a |
| An arena is good because of the cushion of the | | | | lope, trot and then a walk. Walk him until his |
| dirt or sand, but can become very boring for both | | | | breathing is even and he is cooled down. This |
| you and your horse. If you have a large pasture | | | | does not need to be done more than once a |
| you can do most of the exercising there. Dirt | | | | week. If you are running your horse at a barrel |
| roads without rocks are good for this because | | | | race almost every weekend, you can skip this |
| the scenery isn't so repetitive. Make sure that | | | | part of the workout. |
| you don't exercise your horse on ground that is | | | | Once you start competing regularly this rigorous |
| too hard, like on roadways, cement or icy ground. | | | | exercise program can be cut down to a |
| Always put protective boots on your horse's legs | | | | maintenance program. If you are competing |
| before riding to protect his legs from injury. | | | | almost every weekend you can shorten the |
| To get your barrel horse in condition you should | | | | exercise down to 45 minutes of walking, trotting |
| work up to riding him six to eight miles three or | | | | and loping three to four days a week. Always be |
| four days a week. These days should consist of | | | | sure and give your horse at least one day off a |
| warming up with a walk, long trotting and slow | | | | week and don't ride him hard every single day. |
| loping. In the beginning you should do more | | | | Horses get bored with routine and can start to |
| walking and slowly take the walking time and add | | | | misbehave. Remember to not work him too hard |
| it to the trotting and loping segments. After | | | | the day of or the day just before a competition. |
| walking a half of a mile, alternate long trotting and | | | | Want to discuss your favorite horse event? Stop |
| slow loping for a half of a mile. Do this for a week | | | | by our resource links below and join our |
| and then add another half of a mile. It can take | | | | community. We would love to see you there. |
| months to reach the full six to eight miles, but | | | | |