[HoneyTheQH]

Ok so here's my situation. I do gaming in 4-H and I just started running competitively with Honey this year because the last two years I've just been teaching her the patterns and getting her nice and calm at shows etc etc. It's hard to practice patterns at home cause I have none of the equipment or space to run it in, so basically the only REAL pattern practice we get are at shows. But she's learned them all and we're actually running them this year like I said.

She's always been an angel to walk nicely in the gate and wait patiently for me to get ready to go and then she listens good and everything. The second to last show we went to, she would walk in the gate and then get pretty excitable, but I would just stroke her neck and say easy and she would take a big breath and relax, and THEN I would do my run.

Now, at this last show we went to, she would walk nicely in the gate and then just absolutely start spazzing out. Spinning, throwing her head, little rears, etc. No neck stroking or talking to her or anything would calm her down, only when I let her run would she get focused and listen to me. She's never ever been like this before she's always been nice and quiet before running, it JUST started at this last show.

So my question is, how can I get her to stop doing this? Should I just walk her in and then immediately let her run? Or is that reinforcing the excitment? Is this ok for her to do since she calms down once she starts running or what? BTW, I always face her away from the pattern and the spin her around and let her run. Is that a bad way to do it?

We have no more shows, so I can't walk her in and make her walk/trot the patterns so she learns she doesn't get to run everytime. Fair is our next "show" and I have to run there because I want to qualify for state since it's my last year showing. So walking the pattern isn't really an option at fair. And she never does this at home, just at shows.

Any advice is welcomed! And sorry it's so long!

[Crazy4Bays]

Honestly, I think that you need to find SOME way to practice that pattern in an arena. You need to get her to learn that she doesn't need to spaz out just because you are doing a pattern. When you let her run the pattern after she spazz.es out, you are reinforcing it. If you let her run right away, that will make the problem worse.

I would find some arena to practice in. Walk the pattern, trot the pattern, but don't let her run. In the middle of a pattern, stop her and back her. This keeps her from jumping ahead and doing her own thing and will get her to listen to you. Do the pattern backwards, go around several barrels twice or three times, etc. This will keep her listening to YOU and have her focus a lot more. Do the pattern and then do some work on the flat. Then do something else. Just do simple exercises. You need to get her listening to you and focusing, which she obviously isn't doing after she gets into that arena.

[HoneyTheQH]

Ok thanks so much! I totally agree with everything you said

The only problem is, I have absolutely no way to get access to an arena that has the equipment and the space to run in. She won't run in the arena I use cause the footing isn't the best for turning and she gets cautious and won't go all out (and I admit, I trust her judgment and don't push her). In any other arena she won't do the spaz thing, just in the arena that we have our shows in. And I can't use that one

Arrrgh, I don't know what to do!! Thanks though!

[Crazy4Bays]

Is there any way that you can get to the arena you show in maybe an hour before the show and practice?

[HoneyTheQH]

No not at all cause it's fair so we have to stay overnight and check in with a vet and do a bunch of weird "rule" things so that's not an option. And the courses aren't set up until right before we start the actual gaming.

Thanks so much for trying to help, it's so frustrating for me!

[Circle C]

Originally Posted by HoneyTheQH

Ok so here's my situation. I do gaming in 4-H and I just started running competitively with Honey this year because the last two years I've just been teaching her the patterns and getting her nice and calm at shows etc etc. It's hard to practice patterns at home cause I have none of the equipment or space to run it in, so basically the only REAL pattern practice we get are at shows. But she's learned them all and we're actually running them this year like I said.

She's always been an angel to walk nicely in the gate and wait patiently for me to get ready to go and then she listens good and everything. The second to last show we went to, she would walk in the gate and then get pretty excitable, but I would just stroke her neck and say easy and she would take a big breath and relax, and THEN I would do my run.

Now, at this last show we went to, she would walk nicely in the gate and then just absolutely start spazzing out. Spinning, throwing her head, little rears, etc. No neck stroking or talking to her or anything would calm her down, only when I let her run would she get focused and listen to me. She's never ever been like this before she's always been nice and quiet before running, it JUST started at this last show.

So my question is, how can I get her to stop doing this? Should I just walk her in and then immediately let her run? Or is that reinforcing the excitment? Is this ok for her to do since she calms down once she starts running or what? BTW, I always face her away from the pattern and the spin her around and let her run. Is that a bad way to do it?

We have no more shows, so I can't walk her in and make her walk/trot the patterns so she learns she doesn't get to run everytime. Fair is our next "show" and I have to run there because I want to qualify for state since it's my last year showing. So walking the pattern isn't really an option at fair. And she never does this at home, just at shows.

Any advice is welcomed! And sorry it's so long!

Unfortunatly, finished barrel horses usually end up like this. I don't bother with any little local shows bc of the gate situation. My horses are used to an alley...run in, run out.

My advice.... don't fiddle with her in the arena...just go in, make your run, then get out and get off her. The more you fiddle with her, the madder she's going to get. She's telling you shes ready to go, she knows what shes doing.... let her do it. Once they get to that point in their training .... it's better to just let them work than fiddle b./c it makes it worse. As long as she's still listening to you on the pattern and laying down nice runs... LEAVE HER BE

[buck1173]

Honey, I'll throw my 2¢ in, but I'm not the best source for info re gaming... I used to game hard, but that was years ago, on snorting whirling horses... back then, I really didn't care about anything but fast times.

so here are some random thoughts in no particular order:

I once audited Sharon Camarillo at a big event in my area many years ago. She was doing a barrel clinic, and one rider had the same question... her lovely little sorrel got very excited once getting ready to go and would spin and snort and crow hop. Sharon said "some horses just know their jobs and really like it, and they're just excited to go..." I don't know about that advice m'self, but I assume SC knows a thing or two.

I believe many top gamers never actually run the patterns at home... they practice.. not even so much the pattern, but the skills needed for the pattern, and only run full out at top shows.

I used to game my mustang hard years ago. He was a whirling dervish too, and got worse and worse. Though I could practice the pattern at home, there was no comparison to 'show day'. Even w/ team penning, etc, he 'knew' when he was on deck. So, around that time I started getting concerned w/ horse behavior, and what I'd do, is go to shows, and school instead of run. I'd canter the course (if I could, it was like trying to hold back a rocket) but I'd canter.... I even managed to trot a pole pattern, once. Some shows don't allow schooling, as it takes too much time. If you can, maybe try to school at a real show (yes, pay the entry fee and sacrifice your place for the chance to school), if its not against the rules. Or, haul to more, local smaller shows and school there... or find out if there are schooling shows...

even, if you can, talk people into hosting a schooling show, or even a schooling clinic if you have a local hot shot rider who can give pointers.

finally, since you're gaming, I'm assuming you're comfortable at speed... do some speed work w/ your mare, not patterns, just speed... try to go from a slow canter to fast canter, then back down to slow canter... then hand gallop to fast gallop, to full out run, back to hand gallop.... changing gears at speed in a non pressured environment (trail) can help your horse mature and accept speed without getting frantic about it. Kinda what reiners do.

finally, I'm sure there are lots of gamers here... 3Bars jumps to mind as being extremely proficient... perhaps PM her if she doesn't find this post.

[Circle C]

On another note... you don't see the NFR girls fiddling with their horses when they go in

[buck1173]

Originally Posted by Circle C

My advice.... don't fiddle with her in the arena...just go in, make your run, then get out and get off her. The more you fiddle with her, the madder she's going to get. She's telling you shes ready to go, she knows what shes doing.... let her do it. Once they get to that point in their training .... it's better to just let them work than fiddle b./c it makes it worse. As long as she's still listening to you on the pattern and laying down nice runs... LEAVE HER BE

ah, Honey, just re-read taht you have no more schooling op's until the big show... I'd personally take Circle C's good advice...

[Circle C]

Originally Posted by buck1173

ah, Honey, just re-read taht you have no more schooling op's until the big show... I'd personally take Circle C's good advice...

Check out some videos on www.3drum.com on the for sale page. They have super nice horses.... and you can watch some training exercises.

My horse would PITCH A FIT if I tried to mess with him in the alley. He'd go NUTS! And he's only 4... not finished, but he's starting to figure out his job