Page 93 - May 2017

have a good foundation. The off-the-track horses normally require a little more work. Backing them off of the bit and getting them supple and loose are some of the tasks I like to integrate more when training a horse off the track. They are bred a little hotter, so you have to make sure they stay quiet and understand things. Basically, give them a good opportunity to learn. Good foundation is especially important if I have one come back to me that’s starting to have problems. It’s much easier to correct a horse and get them back on track if they are well broke and have the basics. If the horse is rushed through the pattern, it becomes a lot more difficult and you have to back step some in order to move forward.
Q. What do you consider the most important part of maintaining a competition horse?
A. Keeping the horse physically and aerobi- cally fit is key, along with keeping them legged up correctly. Having appropriate and correct farrier work and good nutrition and veterinary mainte- nance are also very important. You need to have all of these things, as they go hand in hand.
Q. If you are going to the racetrack to look at potential barrel racing prospects, what do you look for?
A. I look at their feet first. If the horse isn’t good footed, then I’m not interested. Foot problems are one of the hardest things to man- age and can lead to other soundness issues. The next thing I look at is general conformation. I want a balanced, athletic build with a good soft eye and a good mover. I do consider pedigree, but it isn’t the first thing I look at.
Q. Does a racehorse’s speed index have any bearing on whether they will make a good barrel horse?
No. There are a lot of winning barrel horses that have a very low speed index. I think it’s a bonus if
a horse can break on top and be fast for 100 yards. Most of the horses that I’ve won on were AA or less.
Q. What are some of the challenges you face when retraining a horse off the track?
A. There are a few habits that need to be removed before you can progress. For exam- ple, horses off the track learn to brace on the bit and are usually stiff to one side. They need to be softened up and re-educated on how to respond to bit pressure. They need to learn the basics, like moving off your leg, stopping, and backing up. Especially these days, horses that run on the track tend to be a little hotter than the average horse. Sometimes, they take a little bit more time and patience to learn to relax and be able to focus on their job.
Q. What are some ways to keep a barrel horse mentally fresh and keep them from getting “burnt out”?
A. Burn out, overly nervous, frustrated horses and bad communication between horse and rider are very common problems. Ninety percent of my work is done away from the barrel pattern. I work on “components” of the barrel pattern that include collected circles, stops, lateral movement, shoulder control, straight lines. All of that away from the pat- tern. Really, the barrel pattern is just a test of how broke my horse is, and the weak spots tell me where I need to strengthen the horse’s skills outside of the pattern. Another thing I might do is track a steer, work a flag, or just go circle around bushes, trees or rocks, teaching the horse body control but not necessarily around
a barrel. Finished horses, and even horses that aren’t finished, get slow worked around the barrels to reinforce proper body position and to be reminded to let the rider handle them, not just run out of control. A lot of finished horses tend to get really strong and out of control once they start competing. My goal is to always keep a horse soft and responsive, allowing me to place him where I need to in the pattern. I might need to adjust my angle (in a run) to the first barrel or collect him extra on bad ground. If he’s running without listening, controlling him becomes a lot more difficult.
Q. What do you love most about training?
A. I just love being able to watch horses learn and help them progress. It’s very fun and fulfilling to watch the horses improve and succeed. I also really enjoy watching customers ride the horses I’ve trained, espe- cially kids. I had a customer who competed on a young horse that I trained that placed at the Junior NFR last year. Horses I’ve trained for customers have won the UPRA Rookie of the Year, WPRA Badlands Circuit Rookie of the Year, and State NBHA Youth Champion. Watching other people compete on my product has actually been more ful- filling than competing myself. To me, that’s the ultimate compliment when not only you can ride the horse, but someone else can ride behind you and do well. That’s what it’s all about for my business.
Q. What advice can you give someone who wants to become a trainer?
A. Study with at least one successful trainer and establish a winning record on your own horses that you’ve trained. Developing a clear business model is something that is often over- looked, but I think it is something everyone should do. Above all, conduct your business with honesty and integrity.
Liana DeWeese and 2013 APHA World Champion Slot Barrel Racehorse Shawne Chrome at the Jackson Hall Memorial Barrel Race.
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THE BACKSIDE