Nutrition is very important when it comes to barrel horses. They should not be fed the same as a horse that stays in a pasture and gets ridden a few times a month. Barrel horses are athletes and need adequate nutrition.

Barrel racing is a tough sport on both rider and horse. Barrel horses are athletes that need to be in really good condition when running barrels. A horse that is not in good condition and started on barrels may get sore and associate the pain with running barrels. This can lead to problems that are hard to correct.

Having the right saddle for you and your horse is a very important part of barrel racing. Riding in a fancy saddle with lots of bling won’t help your run, but having a saddle that fits correctly can make the difference in winning and losing.  

Having the right equipment in sports is important not only for winning, but to remain safe. You wouldn’t play football without a helmet and proper padding or box without gloves and mouth guards. Barrel racing is no different. Having the proper equipment keeps you and your horse safe and performing to the best of your abilities.

Natural horsemanship can help establish a relationship of trust and understanding between horse and rider. Pat Parelli makes this easy by creating games that you can use to work with your horse.