Ask Tina

Question: I loved this, your other article about picking bits for different horsesMy horse is the Older x race horse”. Any help with this type of horse, I am sure, would be well received.Again, thanks. Bev

Question: Colic Season!

Sometimes you can do everything right and still have a colic. Just as you can catch a cold or flu bug this time of year, they can get sick too. These weather changes are hard on the horses! Just as we don't drink as much water nor do they. Just as our bodies get sick and immune systems get weak from working outside in the cold so do they! It can be hot monday, rain tuesday and freezing wednesday, then repeat on thursday in Florida. Try to do extra things to keep your horses healthy right now. Make sure they have access to clean water that is not FREEZING to drink. Add some loose minerals or/and salt to feed/grain to encourage drinking. Now that there is no grass and they eat more dry hay they can get impacted easy! You can wet your hay, add wet bran or oil if they seem to have dry manure, wet grain for more moisture in the gut. I like to leave out loose minerals and salts too now that there is no grass they need more minerals as well. It's a hard time of year for them as it is for us getting sick. Try to keep them out of the weather; wind, rain, or cold when possible, blanket under 45 if they aren't use to the cold. Take care of them, as they can't take care of themselves the way we have domesticated them!

Question: Kids, Competition and Women!

In 2009, I had a couple of parents want too much from their kids and they quit the sport of barrel racing. Kids are only kids for so long, it is a time to build their confidence, self esteem and let them find what they are passionate about and just have JOY in their life, as we all know how fast life passes by and how quickly they grow up!

Question: A common problem with an open barrel horse is anticipation! How do you "feel" if you horse is doing it and how do you fix it?

Question: I am trying to find someone who knows about horses and bits. I have a 4 year old mare that knows the pattern very well and has the speed. But she fights the bit. I tried so many different bits and tired of buying them and it doesn’t work. I don’t know if you have any clue what kind of bit will be great for a horse like this. My horse is easy on the mouth but fights when turning a barrel. She shakes or head or over shoots barrel. If you have any idea i would gladly appreciate it. I’m Alvina by the way and I’m from Arizona

Question: I was reading your article about anticipation and I feel my horse doesn't use it's hind end enough, what is a good roll back exercise to teach my horse to do so, that would help us improve our barrel pattern?

Question:

Hi Tina,

I traded some really nice colts that were started on the barrels to some out of state people for what was supposed to be a 1d/2d gelding with no soundess issues and no bad habits. I took him to our first race and he turned the first 2 smooth and fast and headed to the third and totally ducked off to the right before the barrel. He is a left handed horse and I was ready to turn right and he turned so fast that I almost ate dirt. Everyone there said I didn't look like I almost fell off, but trust me, I nearly did. I've contacted several people who knew of the horse and apparantly he has done this since he was young. The people that I got him from won't answer my phone calls or emails (no wonder) but others who know and have ridden the horse say that he will sometimes make a bigtime winning run and then others will duck off before either the 2nd or 3rd barrels. That is also when running him to the right barrel first. I had vets and chiropracters look at him and they have found no physical problems. I was told that he runs with just a ring snaffle and no tie down. I have since put a short shank bit with a twisted wire mouthpiece and a noseband on him also with no tiedown and have gone back to basics. He doesn't really love this bit but I feel like I have a lot of control and he is starting to give at the poll and stop nicely. He didn't really have a stop at all before. He was started & futuritied on by Cary Quackenbush. This horse is as sweet as can be to be around and to ride and I really don't want to give up on him. He is coming 15, though and I don't know if it is something that can be corrected. We have not had a race since so I don't know if the slow steady stuff has helped yet, but wondered what your thoughts were and if you could give me some exercises?

Thank you for your help,

Shawna

Question:

Hi Tina,

Question: I am learning to barrel race and I often hit barrels or I go wide. I think my horse is only doing what I ask him to do. What tips can you offer to help me improve my cues to my horse? Amy - Brooksville

Question:

Hey Mrs. Tina,

Haven't heard from you in awhile so I thought I'd get your opinion on
my latest project. My horse is fairly strong, sometimes when I'm
working he gets ahead of me and I feel like dead weight in the saddle,
and it feels difficult to push him and sit down during turns and I feel
delayed to sit back up and drive him out. This would have a lot to do
with stirrup length correct? I adjusted them up a hole yesterday. I
was wondering what is your opinion on the length of your stirrups, what
do you usually recommend?

Thanks,

Talia Davidson - WY

Question:

Dear Tina,

I was always told, "better to have too much bit and not need it, then not enough bit and need more"! Do you agree with that? The reason I ask is I have two horses, one is older and laid back and I can ride her in an o-ring. My young horse is really free and will about run off in an o-ring. I just don't know what to do, bigger bit or better training? Can you help?

Heather - Arcadia

Question:

Dear Tina,

I wish I lived closer to you, I would love to send my horse to you for training. How do I go about picking a trainer, what would you suggest?

Bev - Colorado

Question:

Hi,

I don't know if I'm contacting the right person at wwwfloridabarrelhorses.com? Are you the lady who can help me with my gate problems? From Indiana

I can send you a video after this weekend, because I will be going to a show! Well, my horse is kind of hard to describe so I will start from the beginning. I bought her about 1.5 years ago & she was a solid 2d horse. She was bad mannered; she would rear when you walked her & push you around. I quickly put an end to that. I trained like a mad person, because I was new to barrel racing (not riding) & she could tell & was taking even more advantage of me. So I worked all winter & we melted together. We worked as a team.
I have worked on my part & I have stopped caring about what she does(well at least I dont show it). She doesn't let people get on her either without spinning around and running off. Then I started showing, but when I did I stumbled upon our problem, she was gate sour! I didn't know how to deal with it, so i got scared. I fell into asking EVERYONE for advice(which made our gate problems even worse), this went on for THREE months.

Question:

Dear Tina,

My horse has recently started not going in the alley and when I do get her in, she runs by first barrel and stalls. Can you watch my most recent video and look at a couple of photos and let me know what you see? Debbie in Georgia

Question:

Hi Tina,

My horse is stiffer on the right side then the left, is this normal?

Jennifer-Leesburg

Question:

Hi Tina,

My name is Carlee Fritzlen. You may have seen me up at Windy Acres before. I have 2 year old full quarter horse gelding, that I`ve broke myself. He has a problem with switching his leads. Is there any tips or advice that you may have that could help with this problem?

Thanks so much for your time.

Question:

Dear Tina,

Time Tables! How do I know when to add speed to my horse? Also how much practice during the week should I do fast on the barrels on my young horse getting it ready for it's first year of competition? Emily-Ft Myers