turning

[canchaser1420]

I am running a 4 1/2 year old gelding he has ran a 16.0 at Sweetwater and 15.7 at Stephenville, however he somtimes doesnt turn on his rearend on the first barrel but he does on the second and third... how can i get him to turn on his rearend?

[lauraSchumann]

The first thing I would do is check for any physical issues that may be bothering him, however
if you aren't feeling anything on the other two barrels and he is turning them ok I would give him
a 75% chance that nothing is wrong.  Now if soundness is not an issue I would go back to re-enforcing
rate on the front side of your barrel....break the horse down when doing your slow work and re-enforce
his ability and confidence to engage his rear end.  If you lope to a barrel, a stride before the turn, slow
him down into a trot to turn the barrel....the same from a trot to a walk.  I don't particularly care to
"stop" a horse per say before a turn to re-enforce rate and I'll do it as a last resort.  I want a horse to
understand he has to maintain forward motion going into his turns but must gear down.  The drill may
help your horse understand that he must rate his speed better going into the turns.
Good luck!
Laura Schumann
Laura's Ladder to Success Barrel Clinics
"I BELIEVE" Tour 2009