| but to remain safe. You wouldn't play football | | | | stepped on or torn by the rear hooves. |
| without a helmet and proper padding or box | | | | Barrel racing reins are offered by many |
| without gloves and mouth guards. Barrel racing is | | | | manufacturers and are available in many colors, |
| no different. Having the proper equipment keeps | | | | but are all basically the same. They are short, |
| you and your horse safe and performing to the | | | | round reins. Most have knots along each side for |
| best of your abilities. | | | | you to reach down and grab. These are the most |
| Your barrel saddle is the most important piece of | | | | popular barrel racing reins. Leather round reins can |
| equipment. Without a proper fitting saddle, you | | | | be used, but are more slippery than the knotted |
| and your horse can become sore. Make sure you | | | | reins. Split reins aren't used in barrel racing |
| use a saddle that fits your horse's back and your | | | | because one could get loose during a run and |
| seat correctly. | | | | become very dangerous to a running horse. |
| The next piece of equipment that can make or | | | | Tie downs are used in barrel racing although some |
| break a barrel run is the bit. Having the correct bit | | | | say it hinders the horse's performance by not |
| means your horse responds to your slightest | | | | allowing him to use his natural balance. Others say |
| move of the reins, the bit fits good and doesn't | | | | their horses turn better with a loose tie down |
| pinch his mouth and allows him to make a great | | | | because they can use it to balance. This is strictly |
| run. Most barrel racers keep an assortment of | | | | up to you and your horse. Some horses can't be |
| different types of bits in their barn. One bit is not | | | | ridden without a tie down because they throw |
| going to be the best for every horse and some | | | | their heads around and don't watch where they |
| horses need different bits for different situations. | | | | are going. Try running the pattern with and |
| Some barrel racers use one bit for training, one | | | | without a tie down to see how it affects your |
| for exercising, one for competition and another | | | | horse. |
| for pleasure riding. This all depends on the horse | | | | Whips are another piece of equipment used by |
| and what kind of bit he responds to. Most barrel | | | | many barrel racers. From bats and crops to an |
| racers will go through many bits before finding the | | | | over and under, almost every barrel racer has |
| perfect bit for their horse. | | | | used a whip at some point. An over and under, a |
| Boots are a must-have accessory when running | | | | rope that is attached to the saddle horn, is the |
| barrels. Your horse's legs take a lot of stress | | | | most popular type of whip for barrel racers. It |
| running and turning hard. The right kind of boots | | | | can be laid over the thigh when making a run, |
| can absorb some of that stress, reducing the | | | | always within reach between barrels and on the |
| wear on his legs. Front boots can also keep your | | | | run home. The best way to determine if your |
| horse from cutting himself with his rear legs when | | | | horse reacts positively to a whip is to video you |
| turning. Many barrel horses receive injuries to | | | | making a run with and without using the whip. You |
| tendons and ligaments on their front legs from | | | | may not notice while riding, but from a video you |
| clipping themselves with the back hooves. Some | | | | can see many horses actually slow down when |
| do this while running, but most do it in the turns | | | | they are whipped. |
| around the barrels. Rear boots protect the | | | | Equipment for barrel racers is available in many |
| fetlocks from hitting the ground while setting and | | | | different styles, colors and material. Make your |
| turning the barrel. Bell boots are not necessary for | | | | choice based on what works for you and your |
| every horse, but are a good precaution. They | | | | horse before buying the latest fad. |
| protect the bulb of the front hooves from being | | | | |