How do you improve your barrel racing times?

1. What is a good time in barrel racing?
2. How long does it take to learn barrel racing?
3. How do horses get in shape for barrel racing?
4. Is barrel racing hard on a horse?
5. How hard is barrel racing?
6. How long should your stirrups be for barrel racing?
7. Do horses enjoy barrel racing?
8. Is there an age limit on barrel racing?
9. Is it too late to start barrel racing?
10. Why are quarter horses good for barrel racing?
11. What is a good size for a barrel horse?

What is a good time in barrel racing?

A good barrel racing time in a standard pattern is 18 seconds. Eighteen seconds is a good time for a standard pattern, but there are factors to consider, such as the running surface and the relation of the barrels to the fences both can slow a horse.

How long does it take to learn barrel racing?

It's really does take approximately 2 years to train a solid consistent barrel horse. You will move faster if your horse already is broke, broke, broke. Walk, trot, canter, back, sidepass, WHOA, rollbacks, leg yields, turn on the haunches, bending, flexing etc. Barrel horses must know more then to go fast and turn.

How do horses get in shape for barrel racing?

Begin with low speed, long distance walking for 10 minutes each way and 20 minutes in total. Repeat three to four times per week. Trotting and loping can be added while varying the times and distances without risk of injury after 2 weeks. This exercise can be done riding or on a lunge line.

Is barrel racing hard on a horse?

Barrel racing isn't inherently cruel as long as it is performed with a professionally trained rider and a willing horse. The most common demonstration of abuse in this sport is when riders are under-trained and overuse whips and spurs.

How hard is barrel racing?

Riding barrel races fast and precisely is not an easy task. Quite often you will find that if you ride the pattern slower and cleanly, you might actually get a better time than if you just try to go fast. When you are first learning to run barrel races, going fast will actually slow you down.

How long should your stirrups be for barrel racing?

This gives you a ballpark figure on which to judge proper length; the length of the stirrup should be about the length of the rider's arm. The stirrup length may need to be fudged in length one way or the other depending on the horse's build.

Do horses enjoy barrel racing?

Many people who have seen barrel races think that the horses are scared into a hot headed or craze like state. When in reality, that is what some horses get like after only barrel racing for a short time. But not all horses turn out like that, it's all about the horse's personality.

Is there an age limit on barrel racing?

Provide all barrel racers, regardless of age, sex or experience, the opportunity to compete for prize money, awards and points in local events throughout the year so they may qualify to compete in NBHA State/ Provincial, National and World Championships.

Is it too late to start barrel racing?

Some sports you have to be young to start, like under the age of 10, gymnastics. There's no reason you can't start barrel racing now. Lots of people will always give an arbitrary age to things to hide their own insecurities. I didn't even get on a horse until I was 22 or 23.

Why are quarter horses good for barrel racing?

There are many reasons why Quarter Horses are considered the best breed for barrel racing. ... More importantly, Quarter Horses are bred for speed, especially when covering short distances. Quarter Horses are also very agile and able to explode into action very quickly.

What is a good size for a barrel horse?

I see a lot of good barrel horses that are between 14 and 15 hands, which seems to be the normal height for a good barrel horse.