I read the thread before posting. To clarify, I was specifically asking your thoughts on why barrel racers have the perception that they do. Certainly not trying to be antagonistic, but instead curious to unpack what seems to be a common bias/ stereotype. I don’t know enough barrel racers to comment on whether it’s warranted.
3 Likes
I’ll bite but this is clearly my OPINION before I get attacked lol. Barrel racing is what I consider an entry level equine sport. The local shows have a $25 entry fee for a class. Any horse can do it, you only need to be able to hold on. It isn’t judged, it’s only timed so you get on kick, yank, and go. Heck they strap the little ones to the saddle and send them out. The way timing is set up (which is hard to explain) you can still win money not being the fastest. All my friends run barrels on 50k horses, who are bred to the 9’s and well trained. But I literally cringe at the stuff I see get off the trailer and the stuff that happens in the pen at some local barrel shows. The bigger shows I’ve attended with them don’t allow the stuff I see locally. I think the stereotype comes from the lower level stuff.
17 Likes
This is this girls mother and each and every one of you need to just be done. She has asked many times to just stop. She has tried to delete this question. This is the last time I am asking for people to please just not reply! There is a vet out there that is no longer with us because of people like you! My 13 year old ask a question, then gave explanations and now has asked the crazy to stop. Please just no more replies!
You might try simply not reading the thread, if it is so upsetting.
IMHO, the child was given reasonable advice and became upset when more experienced horsemen did not agree with her approach to the issue.
If she is too young and immature to handle polite criticism perhaps you should be more closely monitoring her online activiy.
31 Likes
There is no crazy. Just concern. And sage advice from experienced horse people. Every post was out of concern for safety of the poster and the horse. Breathe. And read back. Just because it wasn’t platitudes and endorsement doesn’t mean it was not genuine or valuable. Sometimes the truth is hard to hear. But it protects riders and the animals they want to carry them.
18 Likes
- It’s wonderful that your preteen and you have a relationship where she can come to you for support.
2, it is clear that she’s very empathetic and wants to do what is best for her horse but may be overfaced or need more support from the adults around her to advocate for pursuing some pretty red flags for pain.
-
This is an adult forum. “Young” is a college student. The assumption will be that an adult is posting so hopefully this is a learning opportunity for the home about safe internet usage. All things considered, we are a very safe and tame crowd. Don’t conflate passion for animal welfare with crazy.
-
The advice given is sound even if it was packaged in a way that you or your daughter didn’t appreciate.
-
As articulated above. Threads die when people leave them alone. This one had moved beyond your daughter and into a general discipline discussion. Your decision to post has redirected the attention back and is having the exact opposite effect of killing a thread.
15 Likes
I could flip the question.
I usually cannot stand to watch dressage. Horses being forced behind the vertical. Nose in their chest. Tail swishing. Mouth foaming.
Looks terrible to me.
You can stereotype anything. That’s your choice to do so.
Quoting Ted Lasso: Be curious. Not judgemental.
I guess I don’t know what you want me to say further? If you don’t know what you are doing, and don’t take the initiative to learn proper things, yup, you’re going to ride like a sack of starfishin’ potatoes.
I’ve seen riders pro riders, including some at the NFR, that I can’t stand to watch. Unfortunately, they are out there at all levels, but I would agree you do see it more on a local scale.
1 Like
Thank you for joining us. Perhaps you can fill in the blanks for us.
Crazy? I don’t see anyone, myself included, who has gone “crazy”. We have given our FREE and honest advice and your daughter didn’t like what she heard. This is a learning opportunity for the both of you. You can choose to put walls up, close your eyes, and go back to what you were doing, but the truth is that true horsemanship is about a lifetime of learning. There are always going to be moments when you think you’re doing things right, and then someone with more experience is going to point out your flaws.
The choice is to reject them and get mad… or really self-analyze yourself and examine what is true; and then go about making changes for the better. At 13 … your daughter may not be mentally capable of that. You will need to help her through this and perhaps even getting a different/better trainer, and make sure she works with them more often.
I am also a mother. And I would NEVER have my child aboard a horse that is
“rearing, pawing, bucking, bolting”.
Especially the rearing.
This is dangerous and you SHOULD be concerned about her safety. It takes a split second for that burnt-out horse to decide to flip all the way over and land on your daughter. Or buck her off into an arena gate.
I’ve seen way too many wrecks in my day and people seriously injured (necks broken, backs broken, lungs punctured) because of horses acting out like this. This is serious and why so many of us, myself included, have commented on this thread. This horse is showing some big red flags and if your daughter does not change what she is doing, it will not be a matter of “if” she gets hurt, but a matter of “when”.
I am glad that your daughter felt comfortable to show you this thread but 13 is too young to be cruising the internet without supervision. This is an ADULT chat forum.
Do you have riding experience yourself?
Are you a resource she can go to for riding help?
16 Likes
The thread had been quiet for seven hours when you bumped it back up and started the conversation again.
6 Likes
