Learn how minor adjustments to your tack can help you see major results at your next barrel race.
You’ve been working hard to beat your personal barrel-racing time, but can’t seem to get past that plateau. It’s a scenario we see often as coaches and can make even the best riders become discouraged in their ability to improve in their riding discipline.
Sometimes all it takes to clock a faster time is a minor change or adjustment in your tack. When tack is adjusted properly for your horse, it can help you with your riding ability and allow your horse to move comfortably in the arena, whether you’re running in a speed event or riding trails.
Here, we’ll talk about six pieces of tack you might use every day, and discuss some of the minor adjustments you can make to help you see major results in the arena and maximize performance, safety, and comfort for both you and your horse.
Curb Straps
The problem: Adjusting the curb strap too loose or attaching it to the wrong part of the bit.
The solution: We see it at clinics all the time: Riders’ curb straps attached in the wrong spot. The curb strap is designed to add an additional pressure point to help collect and balance your horse. When you adjust your chinstrap, attach it to the curb ring— evenly on each side of the bit—so it hangs in your horse’s chin groove. You can choose between a leather curb or chain curb strap, depending on the sensitivity of your horse and your riding experience. A chain tends to have a stronger signal than a leather strap.
Ensure that your curb strap lies flat against your horse’s jaw and isn’t twisted when you attach it. Check to see that you can fit two fingers between the strap and your horse’s jaw. A curb strap that’s too loose will be ineffective; too tight and it can put too much pressure on your horse and won’t offer him a release.
Cinch Fit
Esta historia es de la edición December 2017 de Horse and Rider.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 8500 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición December 2017 de Horse and Rider.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 8500 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
A Horseback High
Riding vacations can be found around the world, and here are five bucket list rides in the United States
JOIN THE CLUB!
Riding clubs of all forms can be found across the country. What should you look for when choosing—or starting—a club of your own? We asked three club leaders to share their insights
Help Is (Sometimes) Only a Phone Call Away!
Do you depend on over-the-phone advice from your veterinarian? Here's what you need to know about telehealth to help you understand what you can, and can't, expect
REPLACING FEAR WITH CURIOSITY
Horses have both flight and investigative behaviors but not at the same time. Learn how to help your horse switch to curiosity when his flight instincts kick in, and how to put the brakes on when he's already gone
Ranch Riding Mares
Evaluate and place these performance mares. Then see how your choices compare to our expert judge's.
An Empty Stall
The loss of a horse leads to a new landscape of managing emotions and moving forward
Strengthen Your Mental Game
Prepare your mind for peak performances with your horse by implementing these tips from reining trainer Shane Brown
Burning Off the Fresh
Whether your horse has gone unridden due to a health problem, the weather, or your schedule, a thoughtful process can keep everyone safe during his return to work
Return to Exercise Slowly
If you’ve been turned out to pasture for a while, as the result of injury or just a busy life, return to exercise in a safe and steady way
Ground Tying for Ranch Trail
There are many reasons to teach your horse how to safely ground tie