Science: Barrel Racers Can Win Without Abusing Their Horse
Attn: Barrel Racers – new research shows you’re no more likely to win if you whip, spur or yank/crank on your horse around the cloverleaf! This is great news, it means no more excuses for…
barrel racer
More Cringe-Worthy Barrel Racing Abuse
When I see images like this, regularly, I just shake my head. Then when the inevitable comments excuses follow I’m heart-broken because these horses don’t seem to stand a chance of being ridden in a more empathetic manner.
Do Barrel Racers Cross the Line into Abuse?
Barrel racing is a high speed event, and when speed is added to any activity the difficulty level increases as do the potential errors. Let’s also add to the mix the fact that it is a competition sport and involves money, and as demonstrated in Dressage, Jumping and Reining, to name a few competitive sports; money affects motivate. So, does that mean that Barrel Racing, fueled by speed and competitive cash, is subject to horse abuse the same as other sports?
Open Mouth When Riding?
Many of the images below are cases in which great detail was gone into over the fit of the bit. Look at the tautness of the reins, for some the fear in the horse’s eyes… The horse cannot fight against the bit unless the rider fights with him, the horse has no need to open his mouth as an escape if the rider does not pull back on them.