Speed / Barrel Racing
Intermediate
15 min
Turn Improvement: Inside Leg Drill
Focus: Turns, Technique, Responsiveness
Equipment: 1 barrel
Step-by-Step Instructions
- This drill focuses on the inside leg — the most important aid in barrel turns.
- Set up a single barrel. Approach at the jog.
- As you enter the turn, press your inside leg firmly at the girth.
- Your inside leg pushes the horse's ribcage outward, preventing the horse from dropping its shoulder into the barrel.
- The inside leg also maintains impulsion through the turn so the horse doesn't stall.
- Practice 8-10 turns, focusing solely on the inside leg feeling.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Pulling the horse around the barrel with the inside rein instead of pushing with the inside leg.
- Collapsing the inside hip, which drops your weight into the turn.
- Not enough inside leg, causing the horse to fall in toward the barrel.
- Focusing on speed instead of the inside leg technique.
Variations & Progressions
- Practice the inside leg aid on circles of different sizes.
- Close your eyes for 2 strides of the turn to focus on feel.
- Compare turns with strong inside leg vs. turns with primarily rein aids.
Tip: Your inside leg is your barrel-saving tool. A strong inside leg keeps the horse's shoulder up and body arced, preventing knocked barrels.
