Speed / Barrel Racing
Intermediate
25 min
Barrel Racing Mental Preparation Ride at the Canter
Focus: Mental Fitness, Relaxation, Focus
Equipment: None required
Step-by-Step Instructions
- This is a no-barrel, no-speed, purely flatwork ride for the barrel horse.
- Canter for 5 minutes on a loose rein. Let the horse relax completely.
- Canter patterns that have nothing to do with barrels: serpentines, circles at various points, diagonals.
- Canter easy circles, figure-eights, and straight lines. No rate, no turns, no pattern.
- Practice halts, backing, and side-passes for obedience without barrel context.
- End with a long canter cool-down. The horse should finish relaxed and calm.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Skipping mental preparation rides because they 'don't help with barrels' (they do).
- Accidentally working near barrel positions, which triggers the horse's pattern anticipation.
- Not varying the flatwork exercises enough to keep the ride interesting.
- Only doing barrel work and never giving the horse a mental break.
Variations & Progressions
- Trail ride as a mental break alternative.
- Practice a completely different discipline (dressage, trail class) for variety.
- Schedule mental preparation rides at least twice a week.
Tip: A barrel horse that only does barrel work becomes sour, anxious, and eventually resistant. Mental variety keeps the horse willing and happy.
