| When you look at horses for sale, you may be looking | | | | get them ready for the sport, you will want to gather |
| for a horse that will be good with the kids. You might | | | | information about the trainers and their experience. |
| be looking for a horse that you can bring into the | | | | The trainers, much like the horse's lineage, can tell you |
| racing world. But some of you will be looking for | | | | a lot about whether the horse that you are looking at |
| something more specific; those of you who have seen | | | | is going to be ideal when you're looking for barrel |
| barrel racing at rodeos or even on television events | | | | horses that you will be able to take around the country |
| might be thinking that barrel horses may be a great | | | | to ride at events with the hopes of - someday - |
| option. | | | | competing in some of the sports' biggest competitions. |
| Contrary to what some people believe, not every | | | | On the other hand, if you only plan to participate in a |
| horse is an ideal candidate for barrel racing. Though | | | | race or two during the local rodeo season, you're likely |
| there are fewer particulars than there are when | | | | to find that you are looking for a very different horse. |
| looking for a Thoroughbred that will be a winner on the | | | | Yes, the animal's health and build will still be important to |
| race track, there are a number of different | | | | you, but you won't want to focus as much on |
| characteristics that will be found in great barrel horses. | | | | professionally trained barrel horses. Choosing a horse |
| Temperament can play a role in the success of barrel | | | | that is good for overall riding as well as barrel racing |
| horses just as much as the horse's skills, character, | | | | can, quite possibly, save you $20,000 or more. |
| training and lineage. | | | | In either case, you are going to want to focus more on |
| You read that right - even with barrel horses, you'll find | | | | the health and build of the horse than on the coloring |
| that one of the major considerations that many buyers | | | | and markings - characteristics that those who are |
| have is the lineage of the horse. A barrel horse's | | | | looking for a horse for afternoon rides can focus on a |
| bloodlines can help to identify how successful past | | | | bit more. When you are looking at horses for sale and |
| generations in the line were, what the horse was bred | | | | trying to find barrel horses, you'll want to focus your |
| for and can provide a sense of what the horse will be | | | | attention on Quarter Horses which are great at running |
| able to accomplish during the race. | | | | at high speeds in short bursts, or, if you prefer, Pintos |
| Of course, more than the bloodlines, most buyers find | | | | and Paints. |
| that, with barrel horses, it is about the build and health | | | | Whichever horse you choose as your barrel horse, it is |
| of the horse. A good barrel horse has legs that are | | | | important to recognize that you won't just be heading |
| straight, and if you're buying a horse that's already | | | | into the ring to compete. In order to keep barrel horses |
| been raced, you will want to be sure that its legs are | | | | ready - and to get them ready if they haven't |
| free of any bumps or external scars. It's important to | | | | previously been used for barrel racing - you are going |
| be sure that the horse's hooves are healthy, that its | | | | to need to focus on building the horse's lung capacity |
| back is strong and that the horse is flexible and athletic. | | | | with long trotting on a regular basis. A good goal to set |
| To some extent, you will be able to tell whether or not | | | | for barrel horses that you are conditioning is the ability |
| horses for sale are healthy based on looks, however, | | | | to keep a fast pace for six to eight miles at least three |
| before you make a commitment to making a | | | | days a week. |
| purchase it is usually a good idea to have a | | | | To that end, keep in mind that conditioning barrel |
| veterinarian check to make sure that there's nothing | | | | horses is not just exercise for them; it's also exercise |
| underlying that cannot be seen by the human eye. | | | | for you. |
| If barrel horses have been worked with by trainers to | | | | |