How to Find the Right Barrel Horse

Consider many factors when looking for a barrel horse, but the most important is safety. Enlisting the help of a professional trainer or horse broker can help streamline the process and ensure the horse is in your price range and suited to your abilities. Be prepared to try several different horses over a period of several weeks before deciding on a purchase.

Things You'll Need

  • Trainer or horse broker
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Instructions

  1. How to Choose the Right Barrel Horse

    • 1
      Your goals will help determine the horse you choose.

      List your goals and experience. Your experience is either matched to the horse or inversely related. For example, if you are a beginning rider, or new to the sport of barrel racing, you need a horse who "knows the ropes." This allows you to gain experience and confidence, which is important to both success and safety. If you are an experienced competitor ready to compete and win, you will want a similarly matched horse -- who will likely come at a price that matches his experience! Some experienced riders will find a promising prospect for considerably less money and train him or work with a trainer. Again, only the more experienced rider should work with and ride an inexperienced horse (Reference1).

    • 2
      A professional understands the horse-buying process.

      Hire a professional. Using a professional trainer or buyer has several advantages. First, if you are a beginner or novice rider, you should be riding with a trainer and let that trainer make the assessment of the horse. Second, if this is your first horse-buying experience, a professional horseperson can help take you through the steps and ask the right questions, safeguarding your financial and safety interests. Finally, particularly if you are looking to buy from other professionals, the process is on a level playing field.

    • 3
      Breed is not important unless you compete in a breed association.

      State your breed and size preferences. Barrel racing requires nimbleness and agility, which can be found in horses of any size. (Reference 1). Some riders prefer a slightly smaller horse, while a larger rider should have a horse comfortably able to carry a larger body frame. If you are going to compete with a breed association, you will need to limit your search for an eligible horse of that breed.

    • 4
      Your trainer should try the horse first to gauge ability and suitability.

      Try the horse with your trainer. Usually the horse owner displays the horse by riding him first. Then your trainer should ride him, perhaps testing the horse with some of your own bad habits to see how the horse reacts. If the trainer feels the horse is safe and is suitable, she will have you get on and ride him. You will do this with each prospect.

    • 5
      An equine veterinarian can check for soundness and other health issues.

      Get a pre-purchase exam. A qualified equine veterinarian will assess the overall health and soundness of the horse, and also assess the horse's suitability for barrel racing. It is a sport that requires quick stops, starts, and fast turns (Reference 1). These sudden moves place wear and tear on the joints. If it is an older horse you should expect some signs of wear, but your veterinarian can gauge the seriousness and how much longer the horse can perform. Conformation will also be assessed; certain conformation attributes can cause the horse to "break down" prematurely, which is unfair to the horse and a financial burden to you.