Many people believe any horse can be used for barrel racing. Though the standards aren’t as great as being a racehorse, there are certain things to look for in a good barrel horse prospect.

First things first, when buying any horse you must look around. Never settle for the first horse that comes along. This may end up being the right horse for you, but look at other prospects before buying. It is better to have a few different horses to choose from. This way you will have a variety of skills, temperaments and character to look at and compare rather than going for the ‘pretty one’. Believe me, pretty horse does not always mean good horse. Make sure that certain color preferences and pretty markings are not high on your list of things you are looking for in a horse. No one wants to ride the ugly horse, but if the ugly horse is the one who listens, is smooth, and brings me to the pay window more often than not, I’ll take the ugly horse any day.

You need to decide on what you want a horse for before looking around. Just as there are different types of vehicles for different needs, there are different horses for different disciplines. For example, you don’t see Clydesdales running the Kentucky Derby, and you don’t see soccer moms shopping for two-seater convertibles. Before you look at that first horse, decide what you will be doing with the horse. Are you looking to become a professional barrel racer, traveling the country while rodeoing to earn a living? Or do you want to use this horse for everyday riding while attending the local rodeos on the weekends? Believe it or not, many professionally trained barrel horses are selling for more than that two-seater convertible. You don’t want to spend that kind of money on a horse that you will only use a handful of times throughout the rodeo season. The upkeep on a horse is expensive, whether the horse costs $30,000 or $3000. They all colic, all need shots, farrier care, feed, hay etc. Once you know what you want out of a horse you can start looking for one. A good idea is to make a list of the qualities you want and stick to that list.  If you want a horse that is quiet, easygoing and gentle, don’t allow yourself to buy a horse that is nervous and jittery just because he wins a lot. Make sure you and the horse are good partners. A horse that makes winning runs with one rider may not be compatible with everyone who rides him. Before you spend money on a barrel horse make sure you are able to ride the horse through the barrel pattern at more than a walk. Make sure the horse is capable of doing everything the seller is claiming and everything on your own list. Even if the horse seems great, if you are not 100% satisfied, do not feel bad about not buying it. It is you who has to be happy with the horse in the long run.

Many people look for bloodlines when buying a barrel horse. Bloodlines can help tell you what the horse was bred for and what kind of things he is capable of, but not in every case. There are always exceptions to the rule. There have been great barrel horses that were bought for very little money with no remarkable bloodlines and some who were even grade horses who were not even registered. Just because a horse does not have the best bloodlines does not mean he is a bad horse. Also, a horse with the best bloodlines can be ugly, clumsy, slow and ornery. The plus side to having a horse with good bloodlines can be the re-sale value if you ever want to sell him.

Confirmation is probably the biggest concern when buying a barrel horse. Good confirmation can make or break a barrel horse. The most important confirmation point is the legs. Like the tires on your car, without them you are going no where, no matter how nice the car is. The legs should be straight, have no heat in them and should be free of scars and bumps. The horse should be athletic and flexible, have strong, healthy hooves and a strong back. The height of a horse does not determine anything about his barrel racing ability, but this is one area where your personal preference comes in.

Lastly, once you believe you have found the perfect horse, have it checked out by a vet before you make the purchase. A vet can examine the horse for health issues including lameness and even x-ray the legs just to be sure he is sound. There may be something you overlook because you are blinded by this ‘perfect’ horse.