By kcfromkc June 19, 2015
One week later and they still haven't shipped my order have e-mailed and talked to them they have not told me it was back ordered or any thing. about to cancel my order and shop with ropes for less. ...read more
In barrel racing, seconds matter. A one-second difference can mean the difference between taking home a ribbon and going home empty handed. Before entering the show ring, it is important that your horse have the opportunity to learn the skills he will need. It is also important that the rider be properly prepared and begin training slowly. This helps to prevent training problems and builds the foundation for a great barrel run. What Your Horse Needs to Know Prior to beginning barrel training, your horse should have command of all of the basic gaits (walk, trot, and lope). His transitions between gaits and lead changes should also be solid, as these skills help a horse to slow down and turn around a barrel. Your horse should also be able to back up well, which requires a horse to engage his hind quarters smoothly. It is important that a barrel horse be flexible and able to turn, bend, and flex in order to move around the barrels. One of the most important commands that a great barrel horse must learn is the verbal "Whoa" command. Anyone who has watched a barrel horse crow-hop, buck, or rear before a run knows that they can anticipate a run as much as the rider. A horse charging at the first barrel is much more likely to miss or hit the barrel, costing the rider precious seconds. Responding to "Whoa" is critical to ensuring a great barrel run. By working with your horse until he has mastered these basic skills will set him up for success. Beginning Barrel Racing Gear There is some basic gear that you will need when you start training on barrels. You can likely stick with the bit and bridle you have already been working with; make sure that your bit is as gentle as possible. A snaffle bit is a good bet for most horses beginning in barrel racing. You will also need a saddle and girth in good condition; damaged or weak latigo is a safety issue. Also, if you haven't been wearing a helmet, it is a good idea to get one. Sixty percent of allequestrian-related deathscome from head injuries. A properly fitting helmet can reduce the severity of many injuries and prevent death. You will also need a place to run. If you are fortunate, you can set up barrels in an arena. If you don't have an arena, try to find an area to practice without grass. Grass is slippery and can lead to slips and injuries. If you don't have regular barrels, you can order collapsible barrels to begin. Eventually, you will want to practice with regulation barrels, which will help you learn how much impact they can take without tipping. Learning the Pattern Prior to teaching your horse the pattern, it is important that you learn the pattern you are trying to teach! Most barrel racers begin by learning thecloverleaf pattern. It may help you to run the barrel pattern on foot several times before trying it with your horse. Because your horse learns from repetition, any mistakes that you make while beginning training may confuse your horse and delay training. When you begin with your horse, begin by walking the pattern. As you approach the first barrel, slow and stop your horse approximately 8-10 feet before the barrel. This will help your horse to learn to slow before reaching the barrel, which is important when racing at top speed. Approach the barrel wide while looking "in the pocket", which means the area where you will bring your horse around the barrel. Still walking, turn your horse tightly around the barrel and look ahead to the next barrel. Continue to practice the pattern at a walk until your horse masters it. Then, move on to the trot! Before long, you and your horse will be ready to "run" your first pattern. ...read more
By RodeoHard August 16, 2013
Team roping evolved into a sport when a couple of cowboys somewhere, many years ago, turned a common ranching procedure into competition. The procedure, used to secure a steer so that he could be branded or doctored, is for two cowboys to rope the front and hind ends of a steer and stretch him between their horses. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I5zIzTOkviU&feature=player_embedded&t=0 Team Roping competition, now one of the six standard rodeo events, begins with a steer in a chute and ropers on horseback to either side. A run begins with the steer being released from the chute and given a head start down the arena (known as the barrier distance, about 10-15 feet), after which point the ropers may give chase. The first roper (the header), comes up on the steer's left side and, throwing his loop, ropes the steer around the horns or neck. Next, the header secures the steer by wrapping the rope remaining in his hand around the saddle-horn (called dallying). After making his dallies, the header will then steer his horse to the left across the arena, pulling the steer behind him. It will now be the job of his partner (the heeler) to follow with the steer, approach from behind, and skillfully throw his loop so that it encircles both of the steer's hind feet. The heeler will finish the run by stopping his horse while simultaneously dallying his rope around his saddle-horn. All of the action in a team roping run usually occurs in a time span under 15 seconds (sometimes even less than five). And time is of the essence, as the team that performs their job the quickest wins the event. Time is called by an arena judge (the or flagger) who waits until both ropes are taut and each ropers' horse is facing the steer. At that instant, he will drop his flag, signalling the timekeeper to stop the clock and record the team's time. Penalties can be added to the team's total elapsed time; if a team begins chasing before the steer has traveled the length of his alloted head start (called breaking the barrier or ) ten extra seconds will be added to the team's time. If the heeler is able to rope only one hind foot, the penalty is five seconds. And, of course, if either roper misses his target, the team receives no score for the run (a ). Most USTRC ropings are four-steer averages (also called four-headers), meaning that a winning team must catch four steers consecutively AND make their runs cumulatively faster than any other team in the competition. If a team misses just one steer, they're out of the money. But if they've roped four steers with a total time less than any other team, they've won a bunch of money and maybe a trophy saddle or buckle. Its a combination of skill, horsemanship, team work, and luck that is fast, furious, and fun for ropers from under twelve to over eighty. ...read more
By RodeoHard July 29, 2013
Roping Machine: Heel-O-Matic Trainer Best For: Heelers and Headers Key Feature: Belt-driven pulley system for variable hopping speed adjustments The Ground Driven TRAINER is our most popular roping practice machine. Virtually maintenance free, this machine provides the realistic Heel-O-Matic Hop that is generated by a variable pulley system. The faster the run, the faster the hop just like in a real run. No battery, motor, solar pane or electrical wiring to worry about. This translates to fewer parts, lower maintenance and easier assembly. The TRAINER is durable, weather-resistant, virtually maintenance free, and comes with a full year warranty. If you're not completely satisfied, you're protected by our 7-Day 100% Money Back Guarantee!* ...read more
By RodeoHard July 18, 2013
Miniature horses are very similar to their larger cousins, only they need smaller equipment. Large horse equipment will fall off the animal and be very uncomfortable if you attempt to put it on the small horse. Getting the right equipment for your animal will ensure that it is comfortable and willing ... ...read more
Before riding a horse, one must do their research on the type of equestrian gear needed. There are numerous variations of gear that are used for many different purposes from training, tying up a horse or riding. Knowing which equipment to use and how to use it is vital before ridi... ...read more