Barrel racing can be very intense for both horse and rider, and you'd be ill-advised if you were to try it with a pony at less than peak athletic condition. If you try running a pony in not so good condition in a barrel race and he gets sore and stiff all over, it is going to make a really negative association in his mind with barrel racing. He won't be very good at the sport again.
When starting a pony freshly on barrel racing, or when getting a seasoned barrel racer back into peak condition after some impairment, you must focus upon getting them conditioned before you lead them to the barrel pattern. A couple of the best techniques to get a horse into shape are slow loping and long trotting. Getting them to run at these gaits builds up their muscles and their lung capacity. This means they perform better and aren't left gasping after running. You have got to focus upon building up lung strength, capacity and stamina when you are working on getting a horse into shape. Working your pony out on a properly planned schedule of exercises is best for monitoring the kind and level of exercise your pony is being put thru, and also for keeping track of what parts of the schedule are suiting him best.
The place for exercising your pony should be perfect and safe. While arenas are most appropriate due to the dirt or sand layer cushioning, they can become boring to the pony. Sizeable pastures are also eminently appropriate. I also recommend dirt tracks that are free of rocks, because they allow changing scenery. Definitely avoid very hard surfaces like those made of cement or asphalt or packed ice. Protect your horse's feet with boots before you take him out on exercise.
It is possible to get your horse in condition at reasonable speed by working up to a run of 6 to eight miles per run, three to four days every week. Your itinerary should consist of walks to warm up with, followed by long running and then slow loping. Commence with more walk than trot or lope in the opening days. Add the walk time to the trot/lope time. After a walk of half a mile, shift to long trots and slow lopes over half mile stretches. After you've been thorough this routine for one week, add half a mile for the next week. Show patience even if it takes weeks or months to get to the full 6-8 mile target. You can quicken up the schedule depending on the condition of your pony when you started off. You are the best judge of this.
On those week days when your pony isn't on his exercise program, you should work him out lightly with, for instance, gentle round pen exercises. Give your pony one day off each week for R&R. Let him laze around in pasture. He will still be exercising his muscles, but he's going to be doing it his own way. This way, you are allowing him to relax and get over the tedium of the exercise regime.
You don't need to stick to this segment of the routine when your horse starts barrel race running regularly.
When starting a pony freshly on barrel racing, or when getting a seasoned barrel racer back into peak condition after some impairment, you must focus upon getting them conditioned before you lead them to the barrel pattern. A couple of the best techniques to get a horse into shape are slow loping and long trotting. Getting them to run at these gaits builds up their muscles and their lung capacity. This means they perform better and aren't left gasping after running. You have got to focus upon building up lung strength, capacity and stamina when you are working on getting a horse into shape. Working your pony out on a properly planned schedule of exercises is best for monitoring the kind and level of exercise your pony is being put thru, and also for keeping track of what parts of the schedule are suiting him best.
The place for exercising your pony should be perfect and safe. While arenas are most appropriate due to the dirt or sand layer cushioning, they can become boring to the pony. Sizeable pastures are also eminently appropriate. I also recommend dirt tracks that are free of rocks, because they allow changing scenery. Definitely avoid very hard surfaces like those made of cement or asphalt or packed ice. Protect your horse's feet with boots before you take him out on exercise.
It is possible to get your horse in condition at reasonable speed by working up to a run of 6 to eight miles per run, three to four days every week. Your itinerary should consist of walks to warm up with, followed by long running and then slow loping. Commence with more walk than trot or lope in the opening days. Add the walk time to the trot/lope time. After a walk of half a mile, shift to long trots and slow lopes over half mile stretches. After you've been thorough this routine for one week, add half a mile for the next week. Show patience even if it takes weeks or months to get to the full 6-8 mile target. You can quicken up the schedule depending on the condition of your pony when you started off. You are the best judge of this.
On those week days when your pony isn't on his exercise program, you should work him out lightly with, for instance, gentle round pen exercises. Give your pony one day off each week for R&R. Let him laze around in pasture. He will still be exercising his muscles, but he's going to be doing it his own way. This way, you are allowing him to relax and get over the tedium of the exercise regime.
You don't need to stick to this segment of the routine when your horse starts barrel race running regularly.
About the Author:
Horses are Heather Toms
passion and she enjoys sharing her extensive knowledge through her 100s of
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passion and she enjoys sharing her extensive knowledge through her 100s of
articles with other horse lovers visit HorseHorses
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