Posted by mstee9112, Sep 26 2009, 10:07 AM
I am new to the website so I am sure many of you have seen this question before -
I have a 10 yo gelding we bought about 4 years ago who was started on barrels - he has some pretty good times on him and a great natural head set -
He gets really out of control when it comes time to go into the arena - I have tried to use the method of turning him into several cirlces until he decides he'd rather go forward then turn tight circles, that worked for a little bit - i walk him in and out of the area without working the barrel pattern, we go on trail rides, haul him different places besides barrel events, but once he figures out he is going run them he is a spaz. we usually end up having to back him in and then after we are done with the ride he wants to go back to the trailer. I've walked him the opposite direction of the trailer several times but once he gets somewhat close he finds away to get over there -
even turning the small circles he will still find a way to move the direction he wants to go - even if it involves running into a trailer, truck or another horse - so its getting to the point where it is unsafe at events for others and us - i'm willing to take the time to win this battle but again when it comes to the safety of others and their property i do not wish to subject them to that
we've even given him a two year break off of barrels
thank you for any input you may have
