AboutMars Expertise I can answer questions about horse rodeo, like barrel racing, training behavior, starting young colts and fillies, "problem horses". Also I can help with your riding skills.
Experience I have trained a few horses with different problems, ex: not taking bit, rearing, bucking, and more.
Education/Credentials Over 4 years of being around horses, and learning about them. I'm also in the MBRA( Manitoba Barrel Racing Association)
Question I have a teenage daughter who is a good rider she has done english/western and some games.She has a good seat as she first learned to ride on a little pony with too much attitude. This year we have finally decided to by her a barrel horse. We have found an older AQHA gelding that is available. He is coming 19 mostly sound and has placed well in his 3/d division for the past few years. He has some issues we have discussed with her. He is not a toy, he is a serious horse. He trailers very well and enjoys the shows. She will not be able to vault onto him, ride bare back nor dress him up for costume classes, and we aren't sure how he will be at the local fair with all the rides. (that being said she has a pleasure horse for all that) This will be a strictly competition horse. He is asking $3000.00 for him and as I have searched I have found nothing else with his background that comes close in price/age/training.
I am still wondering if we would be better getting a younger horse for her and having it and her trained together. I am told this could take up to 3-4 years to get really competitive. What do you suggest?
Barb
Answer I would suggest to continue looking for a younger horse. Preferably around ten years of age. Training her and another horse does take years to begin being competitive, but is a very good way to learn almost everything you need to begin barrel racing. If your daughter is really serious into it, you would need a horse that can teach HER and already is trained to barrel race, but in a younger age. I find that it is better to spend a few more bucks on a horse that could give your daughter a lot more back while barrel racing, because a younger one can continue well into it's twenties, but a horse that starts at nineteen years of age, might have a few problems running against some other 7 or 8 year old barrel racing horses. I hope this helps and please message me back if you have any more questions. Thank you. :)
