Sunday, April 26, 2009
How would you tune up a horse before a big show?
"Ask Tina" question:
FBH.com reader would like to know; "I have a big show coming up soon, how would you tune up a finished horse that I usually just pasture ride to keep in shape."
"Ask Tina" answer:
I like start about 2 weeks before show with slow work. I spend about 15 minutes on bend and flex work as well as transitions and body collection and about 15 minutes on the actual barrel pattern. I would start with 10 minutes of pasture walking, and end with 5 minutes of pasture walking. That is a 45 minute workout about 3 to 5 days a week for 2 weeks.
The bend and flex work I would do is on the rail of the arena or pasture fence line I would walk straight lines and for 6 seconds or bump/releases I would flex my horse's nose left, then right and then vertical down. I would do that at a walk and a trot. Then leg laterals/two tracking I would do at a walk/trot like invisble polebending, making sure my horse moves away from my leg and give to my hand equally both directions. I would then long trot and sit trot transitions and be sure my horse is rating off my body/seat. I would then lope left/right circles big(80ft) and small(20ft) to work on body collection and flex. On the small circles pay special attention that your horse collects his stride, nose is in, shoulder is up/out and hip or hind pivot foot is under him.
On the pattern, I would do 3 trot to walk around the barrel, focus on rate straight and proper bend and form around the barrel (nose in, shoulder out/up, and hip/hind pivot foot in/under). Then 3 lope to walk or trot around (walk if nervous horse, trot if laid back horse) Then 2 lope throughs with good form, high lope to slow lope collected around. Finish with a walk to STOP at rate spot and walk around the barrel.
If you are showing once a week, you can save your speed run for at the show or you can sneak in 1 speed run a week at home too for timing. Even a finished horse benefits from repetition and consistency. The three most important factors in barrel racing are RUN, RATE & TURN. If any of those factors are missing you will not clock at your best. Slow work builds muscle memory and confidence, as well at timing and good reflex, if you practice PERFECT.
Remember to set realistic goals. Everyone who competes wants to WIN, and most have more FUN if they are winning. What is a WIN? A win can be more then 1st place, it can be a realistic goal for the level you and your horse are at. Set realistic goals and appreciate that you met that goal!
