Originally a sport created by rodeos for their wives and girlfriends, today barrel horse racing has become a sporting event that anyone can participate in.
Barbary horse racing has been around for many years now. It is basically a fun event that aims to show speed.
The race is quite simple to watch. It is played in an arena with three barrels arranged in an isosceles triangle, on which the rider's intention is to achieve the highest speed by circling the three cloverleaf-shaped barrels. Although there are standards regarding the distance between the barrels, governing bodies usually have preferences regarding the distance between the barrels.
The overall distance is 90 feet from each barrel. However, some may use a distance of 60 feet up to 100 feet and more. The setting applies to all competitors.
The game starts as soon as the runner enters the arena towards the first barrel. On this one, the rider should come in at a slight angle, as it's easier for the rider not to come straight onto the barrel. A full turn must be completed on the first barrel before moving on to the second.
A second turn, but this time in the opposite direction, will be made on the second barrel. And again, the rider will have to rush toward the third barrel. The third roll will then be bypassed in the same direction as the second. After a full loop, the rider will need to accelerate to return to the start line, which is also considered the finish line.
Like many other horse races, barrel racing also has its common issues. We'll help you distinguish some of the more common problems and try to suggest a thing or two to fix them. Please read on.
The first barrel is usually called the "money barrel". This is the most difficult turn because the horse must approach it at full speed. Remember that the main goal of this game is to take it as fast as possible. It's also the trickiest barrel because if you knock it down you're sure to be knocked out of the game in no time and if you pass it you'll have the chance to win some cash.
The problem, however, comes from the horse which normally passes over this barrel due to lack of speed. As the horse charges at top speed, it tends to become overly aggressive. Thus, he can either knock down the first barrel or jump over it. This problem can be solved by conditioning your horse to perform the turn perfectly.
Some horses often have problems entering the arena. In this context, the horse is qualified as "barrel sour" or "ring sour". This problem is caused by the horse running around the arena too much or training too much. This problem can be solved by taking some time off the track and giving your horse a break from barreling routines. An ideal way to do this is to hike.
Some horses tend not to pause at all. In this case, you should not allow your horse to run out of control. The solution to this problem may start with running at a slower pace until progress is made. Only race your horse over barrels when you are confident enough in his speed and ability to stop.