06/08/2026
So many riders are preoccupied with where their horse’s shoulder is when it’s the feet we need to be aware of!!
Horses don’t make a habit of running into stationary objects, so if one is hitting a barrel over and over, it’s not because the horse “likes” it or because he’s out there making bad decisions for fun. He’s doing the best he can with what he understands, what he’s been taught, and what the rider is telling his feet to do in that moment. Most of the time, a horse that repeatedly hits barrels isn’t being dishonest. He’s confused, late, pushed out of position, pulled into the barrel, trying to handle pressure he doesn’t fully understand, or simply not nearly as educated as he needs to be.
And this is where we have to be honest: barrel hitters are not born, they’re made. Usually, they’re made by riders who skipped some very important steps in their own education. That may sound harsh, but it’s also hopeful, because if people create the problem, people can fix it. Not by blaming the horse, but by getting better timing, better feel, better understanding, and better coaching.
I know it’s possible because one year I made 75 runs and hit two barrels. Not because every horse I rode was perfect, and not because I never made a mistake, but because I had spent a lot of time learning how to keep a horse’s feet where they needed to be. Turning a barrel is feedback. It tells you something about timing, position, education, or pressure. The horse is giving you information every time he makes a mistake. The question is whether you’re willing to listen to what he’s telling you.